Today everything is done for you, but you need to wake up to some realities!
Risks of Using some Mould Sprays
When dealing with mould in older buildings, it's crucial to understand the potential pitfalls of using mould sprays. Here at Heritage Lane, we aim to provide you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about preserving your period property.
Many people today believe that mould sprays are a quick and easy solution to use inside buildings. However, one of the biggest misconceptions is that they address the underlying cause of the mould. In reality, mould sprays often only provide a temporary fix, merely masking the problem. Without resolving the moisture issues which cause moulds to grow in the first place. This is particularly important in Mould inside Buildings where the underlying issues need to be properly addressed.
Do you really know what you are pumping around your home?p
There are specific situations where using a mould spray in period buildings is absolutely not advised. One such scenario is when dealing with Atmospheric spray mists where the interior environmental conditions are not controlled. Modern day, man-made (inorganic) mould sprays can in fact lead to further damage and potential health risks for all of the occupants including pets and also fish kept in tanks.
One of the
UK's popular
Another big seller
on Amazon.
And of course there's always bleach
This stuff actually contains
Sodium Hydroxide
Also known as Causric Soda which is used for unblocking drains and also as a paint stripper.
Do you really want your kids running around inhaling caustic soda into their lungs?
Have you ever seen and wondered why some paintwork is softened near areas you have sprayed?
Well, now you know.
This one's based on
Sodium hypochlorite
Also known as Chlorine Bleach.
In solution the compound is unstable and easily decomposes
Do your kids or your pets nreally need this stuff decomposing in their lungs?
Just look to the previous column, because it's another
Sodium hypochlorite / chlorine bleach
Do your kids or your pets nreally need this stuff decomposing in their lungs?
People really do need to know what they are buying, and be happy that they're not inadvertently damaging the inhabitants of the home!
Today's world has become a world of labels! And far too many people have simply fallen into that 'labels world's without ever questioning what they are using - a simple look on a search engine will quickly show the technical data sheet/s for any product, yet today people just rush in,buy whatever fancy pants label they've been brainwashed into buying, and then amazingly feel they have done the right thing without having a clue of what they are using!
Never just assume - it only takes a few minutes to know for sure these days.
Your kitchen's not a show piece!
Bleach has been used for years to "kill" mould and whilst it does indeed harm the mould, it will not kill it, so the mould will be back to say "you want some!
Bleach contains chlorine which is a powerful oxidizer, is the active agent in many household bleaches. Since pure chlorine is a toxic corrosive gas, these products usually contain Hypochlorite, which is also present in other high street bought 'magic sprays'
Bleach is made of mostly water and sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient that cleans and kills germs. Around 3 -6% of what we call 'bleach' is sodium hypochlorite whilst the reast of the bottle is just water!
So if you use bleach on mould growths the sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient which sits on the surface and appears to kill the mould, however the other 94 - 97% which is just water, is absorbed into the walling / plaster etc and this simply feeds the mould spores ensuring the grow bigger and stronger!
Vinegar is Mother Nature's killer of mould, and considering it was Mother Nature who created mould, She should know. Vinegar is not only an organic compound, so it matches mould in the ring, it naturally contains 5-8% Acetic acid which is the knock out blow for mould, Mould's not getting up again after Vinegar does it's legwork.
As you know we humans can, and do, digest Vinegar without issue so it poses little, if no risk to us ... going back to our friends I mentioned above I know I wouldn't want either of those on my chips!
Kids are more susceptible to the inorganic compounds above in the home yet, without realising, too many people are going out and spending their hard earned money to fill their homes with damaging chemicals.
On the other hand, kids love a bit of fish 'n chips!
White vinegar is preferable over malt vinegar, they will both do the exact same job of putting mould to sleep, but malt vinegar tends to stain walls, carpets, curtains etc, whereas white vinegar doesn't.
Don't dilute it, you will weaken the Acetic acid content that is absorbed into the wall, you want the spores knocked out also.
Cheap spray bottle from pound land and some cloths or kitchen towel.
But, whilst we can digest Vinegar it's not ideal for breathing in, so ventilation and a facemask is obviously a wise move.
Now, don't go thinking that you will do this once and never have to do it again - you will.
The atmospheric conditions inside our homes change every minute of every day, and every change brings different challenges to the fabric of our homes ... that's life.
ONE BIG CAVEAT! : if you have beautiful lime plastered walls in your home be careful!
Vinegar contain's acetic acid as mentioned earlier, and lime is an alkali so these two do not get on at all - pop bang fizz!!! (Remember the pH scale from school chemistry lessons?)
That said, however because lime is an alkali, mould can't survive on it, but be careful when using it on areas surrounding lime plaster.
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