When green or black mold suddenly appears on the wall, it’s a real shock. The most important thing is to act immediately and remove the mold – but with what means? The North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Advice Center explains whether alcohol is sufficient for removing mold, when chemical mold killers are necessary, and what to do with old mold.
Remove mold
Is mold on walls even a problem? Yes: Mold spores should definitely be removed. But what is the right method for removing mold?
Since spores and the metabolic products of mold can be harmful to health, and mold removers also pose risks to humans, no one can make your decision about the mold control method for you.
However, you can follow the following guidelines for removing mold:
1. In case of new infestation: Remove mold with chemical mold removers, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide
If the mold infestation on the wall is relatively new, superficial removal with anti-mold agents is usually sufficient. There are very fast-acting mold removers with chlorine agents that destroy the spores in up to ten seconds. While these chemical agents are highly effective, they are not recommended due to potential health risks .
Alcohol-based cleaning agents and mold removers (80 percent ethanol – beware of fumes!) and hydrogen peroxide (3 to 10 percent) are largely safe for mold removal – or a 5 percent soda solution from the pharmacy. These products can usually be used to loosen and remove mold.
However, if you can’t initially prevent the moisture from growing, it’s better to use a chemical mold remover (follow the instructions carefully!). Otherwise, you risk the continued proliferation of harmful fungal spores.
2. For old mold infestation: Remediation by professionals
If the infestation is older, the mold has usually already penetrated paint, wallpaper, and, in rare cases, even the existing plaster structure. In this case, superficial treatment of the mold on the wall will no longer provide a permanent solution. In this case, an expert must be consulted to carry out the necessary measures. The affected materials must be removed.
3. After mold removal or renovation
Removing the mold alone is not enough. The cause of the mold growth must be identified and remedied, otherwise the process starts all over again. Common causes of mold in the home and on walls include: poor wall sealing, increased moisture production indoors (e.g., from plants, drying laundry, or shower water), improper ventilation, or insufficient heating.
Prevent mold
Tips and warnings to avoid mold
- If moisture is expected to reappear, you should use inorganic materials to repair mold-infested areas. These include lime plaster and lime-mineral paints (silicate interior paints). These are generally somewhat more expensive than conventional binder paints, but are more vapor-permeable and inorganic.
- If possible, avoid wallpapering the critical wall areas, as these typically provide a breeding ground for mold spores. Some types of mold are suspected of being linked to lung diseases and allergies, as the spores can enter the skin and respiratory tract through the air.
