How to get rid of black mold in a shower stall using folk remedies

Ten to fifteen years ago, many homeowners dreamed of installing a shower cabin, but now their number has decreased significantly. You are now nodding your head sadly, because you are aware of the problem. Obviously, you are looking for tips on how to get rid of black mold in the shower stall using folk remedies, improvised means, store-bought ones - anything, the main thing is that it helps.

Yes, the reason is the fungus: in conditions of high humidity, black mold often appears in the shower stall and it is quite difficult to fight it. But everything can be solved if the problem is approached with special attention.

Why does black mold occur in the bathroom?

Shower cabins are used daily by all family members. Frequent temperature changes provoke the formation of condensation, but it is not removed - either from ignorance that this needs to be done, or simply because there is not enough time. In addition, the bathroom remains closed at all times, which impedes the flow of air.

Mold affects the seams between the tiles, the rubber seals of the shower stall and the walls itself, the ceiling and furniture in the bathroom. On all these surfaces a dark gray, whitish, black or green coating appears with an unpleasant odor of mustiness and rot. The infected area is immediately noticeable.

Remove the fungus as soon as it appears

Causes of fungus in the shower stall:

Increased level of humidity - condensation forms, surfaces are not wiped, the room is not ventilated.
Old or faulty bathroom ventilation system.
During the renovation process, the walls and ceiling were not treated with an antifungal agent.
We installed a low-power heated towel rail and the room is not heated enough.
The bathroom is not ventilated after water procedures.
Washed clothes are often dried in the bathroom.
Water pipes are not checked for their integrity.
There is no window in the bathroom, which means sunlight does not penetrate into the room.

Note! Mold can occur due to unprofessional repair work. The tile laying technology was violated. Regular glue and decorative grout were used, rather than special moisture-resistant ones with the addition of antiseptics.

We clean glass and plastic doors

Shower doors are made of “reinforced” glass or triplex. There are also options made from special plastic.

To clean plastic and triplex, you will need a rubber scraper. A specialized foam or aerosol substance is applied to the doors and then removed from them with quick movements. Plastic cabin doors cannot be cleaned with abrasive or alkaline compounds. Powders cannot be used for them, as the surface will easily rub off and scratches will remain.

Glass material is not as capricious as triplex. Glass doors can be cleaned with any products from the supermarket. In addition, vinegar and lemon will perfectly remove all stains and stains on the shower doors. And they can handle it even better than professional cleaners.

Prevention of fungus in the shower stall

It is much easier to prevent a problem from occurring than to suffer and wonder later, for example, how to get rid of black mold in the shower stall using folk remedies, since all purchased products, although good, spend too much of the household budget on them.

Take preventive measures:

Once a week, do a thorough cleaning of the room, paying attention to all surfaces and plumbing fixtures, using special care products. In this case, not a single tile, shelf or cabinet should be missed.
After each shower, it is advisable to wipe all surfaces of the cabin dry.
Repair the ventilation system, install a more powerful fan.
Leave the bathroom door open often.
If necessary, install an electric heated towel rail, it will reduce the humidity level.
Eliminate all leaks, tighten taps, replace faucets and pipes. According to statistics, in houses with plastic pipes there are much fewer problems with fungus.
Seal the cracks and chips formed in the tiles with mortars. Repair the ceiling.
If you are planning a major renovation, do not skimp on quality building materials. Take care of laying good thermal and waterproofing on the walls and ceiling.

Almost all modern bathrooms are not equipped with windows through which sunlight can penetrate. Constant darkness creates comfortable conditions for the development of fungus. Disinfect the room with an ultraviolet lamp: carry out quartz treatment at least 2 times a month.

Harm from mold to human health

There are many types of molds, but they all have in common the volatility of their spores. Even the slightest vibration of air is enough for them to move around a confined space, settling on clothes, linen, towels, toys, and hygiene items.

Why is black mold in a shower stall, bathroom, or living space in general dangerous for people? Penetrating into the human body through the respiratory tract, pathogenic fungi can cause the following serious diseases:

upper respiratory tract diseases;
pneumonia, bronchial asthma;
pathological skin problems;
headaches and migraines;
nosebleeds;
stomach disorders.

Elderly people and young children, due to weakened immunity, are more susceptible to danger. Rarely, but the following consequences occur:

Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, general malaise and chronic fatigue.
When fungal spores settle on the bristles of a toothbrush, diseases of the oral cavity and teeth can develop, among which the most common is stomatitis.
Fungi quickly multiply on wet sponges and washcloths, and their continued use causes neurodermatitis, eczema, scabies and rashes.
Shaving accessories are not disinfected before use: if cuts occur, they become inflamed.
Women have a delicate body, so they can develop thrush, fungal diseases on the feet and nails, and a number of other unpleasant diseases.

How to get rid of black mold in a shower stall using folk remedies

Some people, when faced with a problem for the first time, experience a real shock and even begin to wash less so that the fungus does not grow. Stupid! If it is not removed, it will begin to affect more and more surfaces, and you will smell bad.

Effective, but expensive! At the initial stage of the appearance of fungus, use folk remedies

At the initial stage, mold can be easily removed using available means, choose what you have at home:

Whiteness - mix 250 ml of whiteness and 4 liters of water, spray the mold-affected areas with this solution using a spray bottle. Leave for 15 minutes, rinse with warm water, wipe with a rag.
Copper sulfate - dissolve 1 tablespoon of 5-10% copper sulfate in 1 liter of water and wipe all affected surfaces. Let dry, wipe again. Repeat the procedure at least 3 times.
Alcohol vinegar - apply without diluting and do not rinse off.
Tea tree oil – mix 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil with 400 ml of water, apply to the surface using a spray bottle or cloth. Do not rinse, the liquid must be completely absorbed.
Baking soda – make a solution of 1 tablespoon of baking soda and 500 ml of water. Apply it with a spray and scrub with a brush. After 30 minutes, rinse with warm water.
Hydrogen Peroxide – Spray a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution onto the mold and wipe off any residue.
Borax – mix 250 ml of borax with 4 liters of hot water. Spray with a spray bottle, after a few minutes remove the residue with a brush, do not rinse.

Chemical substances

In addition to solutions that you can make yourself, chemical agents are highly effective. They can be purchased in hardware departments of stores.

As a rule, containers with a chemical product have a volume of at least half a liter and a built-in sprayer.

This design of the bottle allows you to spray the product evenly, getting into hard-to-reach places.

Directions for use are indicated on the packaging of each cleaning product . Spraying is carried out evenly over the surface of the sealant. After allowing a certain amount of time for the reaction to occur, brushing is carried out.

Сillit Bang anti-stain

This liquid product is available in 750 ml bottles. The average cost of Cillit Bang is quite high - 320 rubles.

For normal cleaning, it is enough to leave the product on the surface for 5 minutes, and to eliminate fungus and mold colonies, the required exposure time is a quarter of an hour. After this, Cillit Bang is washed off with water.

ASTONISH Mold & Mildew Remover

ASTONISH Mold & Mildew Remover cleaning product is available in 750 ml bottles. The cost of this drug is lower than the previous one, around 270 rubles.

ASTONISH contains chlorine . The product is designed to effectively remove mold without the need for increased friction. Can be used on various surfaces.

In order for ASTONISH to work, it is enough to leave it for only 3 or 4 minutes, then rinse the area of application with a sponge.

Veksa Bathroom cleaner

This household chemical is intended for cleaning and bleaching surfaces and contains chlorine. It has an affordable price - from 100 rubles per 500 ml package. For normal regular cleaning, Veksa Bathroom cleaner is pre-diluted in water.

If the goal is to eliminate fungal colonies, then the concentrate must be applied in undiluted form directly to the surface of the sealant. The concentrated form of the drug effectively fights mold.

To treat, Veksa Bathroom cleaner is applied for about a quarter of an hour , after which brushing is carried out. If after washing off the product with water the desired result is not achieved, the treatment should be repeated. Do not allow the product to dry completely on the surface of the sealant.

Unicum

Unicum spray is designed directly for removing mold from various surfaces. The volume of the bottle is 750 ml, its cost is about 260 rubles.

The active components of the drug effectively penetrate into cracks and gaps between the sealant and the tile or bathtub, which allows you to eliminate pathogenic organisms in one application.

If the fungal colony is large, re-treatment may be necessary.

Izocid (IZOCID ANTI-MOLD)

Isocide is a household chemical product that is intended for use against fungus and mold. Bottle volume – 500 ml. The consumption of this product is economical. Despite the price (from 260 rubles), IZOCID completely justifies itself. The product can be used outside and inside the building.

Antifungal agents for shower stalls

If folk remedies do not give results, then, when deciding how to clean the shower from mold, you will have to turn to chemical industry products. You can destroy the fungus with drugs sold at hardware stores.

If black mold has appeared in the shower stall recently, then you will need a little product to completely clean the shower and bathroom. One bottle is enough for several times. Among them are the following antifungal agents:

Antifungal is a universal product, suitable for any surface, destroys a wide variety of fungi.
Mil Kill – ideal for smooth and glass surfaces. Created on the basis of bacteria that destroy pathogenic microflora. The drug is harmless to humans, but mold is removed quickly and effortlessly.
Isocide - under this brand several different drugs are produced to combat microorganisms. They are created specifically for treating surfaces exposed to high humidity.

These are the most popular, but you can also look at other means to remove fungus in the shower stall and eliminate the musty smell in it.

Use any means with caution. Before you decide to treat the walls of the stall and the tray, carefully study the instructions on how to remove mold in the shower stall. You cannot ignore personal protective equipment - gloves, respirator, goggles, closed clothing.

conclusions

As you can understand from the article, fighting mold is not the most pleasant or simple task. Therefore, it is better not to allow this to happen. It's all simple:

ensure good air circulation;
watch for accumulations of water and eliminate them in a timely manner;
After each shower, wipe off any condensation that may form.

Agree, it’s not difficult at all. These 3 simple rules will save you a lot of time and prevent the spread of fungus. And be sure to take care of your shower stall, clean it weekly , and remove any stains that appear. Then the cabin will delight you for many years.

Tips for caring for shower cabins

The cabin must be ventilated every time after use.
To prevent limescale from depositing on the inside of the glass, wipe it from top to bottom using a rubber scraper.
Use detergent and a soft cloth to clean the cabin. Avoid using acetone or ammonia-based cleaners, as well as acid-base based cleaners.
If the surface has been contaminated with a substance that is difficult to remove, then carefully remove it with a soft cloth soaked in a small amount of any special product for caring for hydromassage equipment.
If the surface of the case is scratched, polish it with fine sandpaper, then toothpaste and finally a cloth soaked in liquid detergent.
To remove scale from the surface of the cabinet, use a weak solution of lemon juice or vinegar.
If the jet nozzles become clogged, clean them. Avoid future clogs.
Do not polish gold-plated or platinum-plated cockpit parts too often. Protect them from chemicals and organic substances.
Do not use anything with a rough surface or chemical solvents to clean the cab.
To avoid damaging the housing surface, do not use sharp or cutting objects.

In order for the cabin to last a long time, it must be properly cared for and not allowed to have black spots of mold appear on it. Remove the fungus as soon as it appears and you will avoid much bigger problems. Prevent mold from spreading throughout the bathroom and with light steam!

Method #3: Keep mold on a short leash with preventive measures

Once removed, you can prevent the spores from appearing again:

Always remove moisture from shower walls (or other mold-prone surfaces).
Spray vinegar regularly to prevent new spores from forming and kill existing spores.
Wash rugs, shower curtains and other bathroom accessories weekly.
Control humidity in damp-prone areas and try to improve air flow, such as adding a fan in small rooms without windows.
Add forced ventilation.
Limit the amount of furniture in your bath/shower; the more cluttered the areas, the more likely it is that mold can lurk and thrive.
Do regular spring cleaning! Regular cleaning helps prevent stubborn mold and other stains from accumulating. Branded cleaning companies offer affordable cleaning services. Professional deep cleaning helps prevent the growth of fungus, allergens and other toxic invaders. Contact a cleaning service in your city to learn more about the service.