Black, green, white spots on walls, ceilings, in the corners of the bathroom. Mold is not just an aesthetic defect. It's a poison that slowly poisons the lives of the occupants. Mold spores float in the air, settle in the lungs, cause allergies, asthma, chronic bronchitis. Black mold (Aspergillus niger) is especially dangerous. It releases mycotoxins that can affect the nervous system. In 2026, the problem of mold in apartments became even more acute due to the widespread installation of plastic windows (no ventilation) and the love of drying laundry in rooms. Let's discuss the reasons for the appearance of mold and methods of fighting it.

Reasons for the appearance of mold

Mold loves three things: warmth, humidity, and lack of air movement. Where does humidity come from? Poor ventilation (clogged grilles, non-working exhaust fans). Drying laundry indoors (10 kg of wet laundry releases 5 liters of water into the air). Leaking pipes, roof, wall freezing. Aquariums, flowers, frequent boiling of the kettle. Incorrect installation of plastic windows (no micro-ventilation). Fighting mold is useless without eliminating the cause.

Prevention: how not to let mold

Ventilate regularly (2-3 times a day for 10-15 minutes), even in winter. Install intake valves on windows (a cheap solution) or bризеры. Check the operation of ventilation: bring a piece of paper to the grille - if it sticks, everything is fine. Don't dry laundry in the room (use a dryer or balcony). Move furniture away from walls by 5-7 cm for air circulation. Install an exhaust fan over the stove. After a shower, wipe the tiles dry. The humidity level in the room should be 40-60% (buy a hygrometer).

How to fight mold with folk remedies

If mold has just appeared (a small spot), try: vinegar solution (9% table vinegar) - apply, leave for an hour, rinse. Hydrogen peroxide (3%) - spray, leave for 10 minutes, wipe. Ammonia (dilute with water 1:1) - effective, but toxic (work with a mask). Soda (paste of soda and water) - soft, safe, not very effective for deep mold. Copper sulfate (20 g per liter of water) - a strong remedy, but toxic, leaves blue stains. Folk remedies are suitable only for smooth surfaces (tile, glass), they do not work on wallpaper.

Store antiseptics and fungicides

For serious infestation, use special agents: "Fongifluid" (Alpa), "Mellerud", "Plezonel", "Deo-anti-mold". They contain chlorine, quaternary ammonium compounds, or copper sulfate. Apply with a brush or sprayer, leave for 10-30 minutes, then rinse. Always wear a respirator, gloves, protective goggles when working. Ventilate the room. Some products do not need to be rinsed, but form a film that prevents regrowth. Read the instructions before buying: for which surfaces (wallpaper, concrete, paint).

Removing mold from different surfaces

Wallpaper: if mold has penetrated under the wallpaper, it will have to be removed (fungicide will not pass through the layer of glue). After removing the wallpaper, treat the wall with an antiseptic. Paint: if mold is on oil paint, wipe it with a wet rag with soap, then treat with vinegar or antiseptic. Tile and grout: treat the joints with bleach (chlorine), leave overnight. Then scrub with an old toothbrush. Concrete and plaster: deep penetration. You need to scrape off the affected layer, heat with a construction hot air gun (for destroying spores), then impregnate with fungicide in 2-3 layers.

Mold on ventilation and air conditioning

Black film on the ventilation grille is a breeding ground for spores. Remove the grille, wash it with chlorine. Cleaning the shaft is difficult (call specialists with chemical treatment). In the air conditioner, mold lives on the filters and in the drainage system. Clean the filters once a month in a vinegar solution (1:1) or call cleaning.

What to do if mold comes back

This means that the cause has not been eliminated. Perhaps the walls are freezing (insulate them from the inside with extruded polystyrene, but this is a risk - the dew point will shift). Or the basement below you is damp (you need waterproofing). Or your neighbors above are flooding (file a complaint with the JHC). In multi-story buildings, sometimes forced ventilation is required (install a fan in the exhaust). If you are a tenant, demand repairs from the landlord.

Dangers of DIY methods with bleach

Chlorine (bleach) effectively kills mold on smooth surfaces, but on porous (wood, gypsum board, plaster) chlorine does not penetrate to the inside and kills only the surface layer. The water in which chlorine is dissolved is absorbed and creates a favorable environment for new mold. Do not use chlorine on wood and untreated concrete. It is better to use special "dry" agents (borax, borax).

Fighting mold is a marathon, not a sprint. Start with eliminating moisture. Then remove the visible mold. Treat with fungicide. And constantly maintain a ventilation mode. If mold covers more than 1 square meter and causes allergies in family members - call professionals (disinfection services).

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