Molds are actually everywhere and they are a completely normal part of the air we breathe. They cannot be avoided, but their concentration in the air is so low that they usually have no health effects.
However, if the load increases in a confined space and then there is a certain susceptibility, mold poses a health risk. This can be dangerous, especially for older people, whose immune system is weaker.
Why is mold so dangerous?
Mold is a fungus and its spores are spread through the air. Not all mold is dangerous; some types are necessary, for example, in order to be able to make cheeses like Camembert or Roquefort in the first place. The black mold in the bathroom, on the other hand, is actually a health hazard.
For this mold, the conditions in the bathroom are mostly heavenly. It tolerates temperature fluctuations between 6 ° Celsius and 45 ° Celsius. In addition, bathrooms are sufficiently damp. Ideal for mold to form and spread in the bathroom.
The mold in the bathroom does not only grow on the wall, but also on the metal rails in which the shower doors run or on glass surfaces. If it finds good conditions, it spreads quickly. If it spreads in the bathroom and releases the spores into the air, the concentration exceeds the tolerable values of the air we breathe. This can cause asthma and a sore throat.
The risk of developing respiratory problems, allergies, headaches or serious infections increases, especially for older people. This can lead to pulmonary fibrosis, in which the lung tissue scars.
How can you prevent mold in the bathroom?
There is no need for there to be mold in the bathroom, given a number of key points. It is relatively time-consuming to remove mold from the bathroom. It is better not to let it arise in the first place.
Ventilate the apartment several times a day
The most important tip to keep in mind is to ventilate the apartment. Regardless of the temperature, open the window and ventilate several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes. Just tilting the windows does not have the desired effect and wastes energy. When ventilating after bathing or showering, keep the bathroom door closed so that the warm, damp water vapor does not spread around the apartment.
Bathroom fans or fans in windowless bathrooms
If you have a bathroom without a window, then you need an electric bathroom fan and a fan to drive the moisture out of the bathroom. Alternatively, you can leave the bathroom door open after showering and open the window in the next room so that the moist air can escape. So you don't give mold in the bathroom a chance. The doors to the other rooms should remain closed so that the moisture does not spread throughout the apartment.
This is how you can remove mold in the bathroom
Painting over doesn't help
Simply painting over the black areas is a pointless measure, because the fungus continues to grow underneath.
Removal of mold in the event of minor mold growth If only small areas of up to 40 cm2 are affected, you can remove the mold in the bathroom yourself. Here you can work with conventional vinegar essence from the supermarket, with hydrogen peroxide or at least 70% alcohol from the drugstore or hardware store. When cleaning,
you should wear a mask and rubber gloves so that you do not come into contact with the mold or inhale it. Safety glasses are not absolutely necessary, but are definitely recommended. In any case, you should ventilate the bathroom well after the treatment so that the airways are not irritated by the agents.
Disposing of infected furniture, towels and decoration If furniture, towels or decoration materials are infected with mold, they should be disposed of in any case.
Have a specialist remediate large areas of mold.
If the areas are larger, you should call in a specialist to remove the mold in the bathroom. Older people, allergy sufferers and asthma sufferers in particular should avoid contact with the fungus as much as possible in order not to endanger their health.
Remove and replace silicone joints
If the mold has attacked the silicone seals, then there is an urgent need for action. The mold grows through the silicone and can hardly be removed conventionally.
joint renovation is necessary here, which should only be carried out by specialists, so that the mold is not spread through improper work in the bathroom and through the air in the apartment.Depending on the infestation,
you can remove the mold in the bathroom by completely removing the silicone joints and new joint frames installed or the tiles completely replaced
The combination of moisture and heat, which often occurs in the bathroom after a shower, promotes mold growth. If mold has formed in your bathroom,
do not ignore it as mold can also have a negative impact on your health. In addition to the tile joints, silicone joints on the shower, wash basin, floor and bathtub, as well as shower curtains, fittings and walls are particularly susceptible to mold in the bathroom.
Overview of different types of mold
As already mentioned at the beginning, molds are a normal part of the air we breathe. Current estimates suggest that there are more than 250,000 types of mold, with much of the mold non-health. In some cases, the types of mushrooms even taste good and refine foods or even have a healing effect.
However, some of the mold types can cause health problems and trigger allergies or respiratory problems, for example. Incidentally, the different mold colors do not play a major role, but still give a good indication of their effect on us humans.
A distinction is made between the following types of mold:
- Black mold
- Yellow mold
- Red mold
- Green mold
Black mold in the bathroom
If one speaks of black mold, one basically has to distinguish between around 40 different species of this genus. Black mold mostly occurs on food, but it can also infect wallpaper, walls or cupboards, provided that there is enough heat and moisture.
This type of mold is only a direct danger to humans if, for example, it is ingested with spoiled food. Black mold is generally considered to be particularly toxic. However, this only affects the species .
This is a type of mold that releases a mycotoxin into its environment, which can lead to allergies, red eyes, shortness of breath and other symptoms.
How to remove black mold - how to proceed
If the fungal spores have spread, you should definitely remove the mold in the bathroom. You can use high-percentage alcohol, chlorine-containing compounds and hydrogen peroxide even with black mold. To be absolutely sure that the mold joints or mold in the shower is not the dangerous , you should carry out a test and have the infestation removed by a professional if necessary. With our tips on this page, mold in the joints will no longer stand a chance.