Mould on walls - how best to clean?

Noodle · Jul 12th, 2007, 14:48

As every year in monsoon a couple of moist patches have developed on several walls throughout the flat.

I keep windows open and the fans on when it doesn't rain to keep air circulation high, and the patches have dried, but on one of them spots of green-greyish mould have started to appear.

Last year I wiped it off with soapy water, but was wondering if that is enough or if any of you have better solutions. Bleach? Hydrogen peroxide maybe?

Thanks!

PS: can't clean too vigorous as the paint will come off! Gentle wiping is all I can do.

iwanttogoback · Jul 12th, 2007, 16:50

bleach works wonders, especially if you wipe it on and leave it for a while. most anti-mould products seem to be based on bleach so i just save money by buying the cheapest bleach i can find.

oh, and make sure the room is really well ventilated whilst you're using the bleach, its fumes can be quite noxious.

Noodle · Jul 12th, 2007, 16:53

Thank you, iwanttogoback. I will try bleach then. Do you dilute it in water?

Nick-H · Jul 12th, 2007, 19:36

I'd say bleach too. Diluted, yes --- a lot!.

Get it while it is fresh. You may never get rid of the stain, otherwise.

Didn't you just get new bright orange paintwork? Or was that someone else?

Noodle · Jul 12th, 2007, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Didn't you just get new bright orange paintwork? Or was that someone else?

Yeeees, I did. And now it has green spots

federica · Jul 12th, 2007, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwanttogoback

bleach works wonders, especially if you wipe it on and leave it for a while. most anti-mould products seem to be based on bleach so i just save money by buying the cheapest bleach i can find.

From the smell I would also say anti-mould products are based on bleach. Maybe you can use something to spray it? And then wipe it off with a humid cloth. Hope it won't bleach your walls!

Noodle · Jul 12th, 2007, 20:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by federica

Hope it won't bleach your walls!

Good point! I will try it out on a small area first before wiping all.

federica · Jul 12th, 2007, 20:17

Sometimes I also use vinegar essence or simple vinegar (the clear one) for this purpose. But acid and the plaster of walls is a difficult combination, better to try it in a corner. Although in India even inside plaster is normally pure cement plaster, it is quite stable against anything, but still...

iwanttogoback · Jul 12th, 2007, 20:54

Quote:

Good point! I will try it out on a small area first before wiping all.

good point!

noodle, i just splash it on undiluted, or use a cloth. try not to splash it on your clothes and don't (like i did) wear a new pair of black trousers when you are throwing bleach around the bathroom...

Goldendeer · Jul 12th, 2007, 21:39

Instead of bleach you can also use Domex toilet cleaning liquid which is scented chlorine. Last time I bought from a local shop it was about Rs25 for a bottle. I use it for even cleaning my sweat drenched sports shoes and socks.

If the moisture is soaking into the walls from the exterior try painting the exterior walls with Apex paint. Though very costly it is totally waterproof and the best part is your walls dont need repainting for ever.

Noodle · Jul 12th, 2007, 22:00

I bought a bottle of bleach. Will do it tomorrow.

Goldendeer, I'm on the fourth floor, I'm not going to fling myself out the windows to paint the walls

But thanks anyway

federica · Jul 12th, 2007, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldendeer

If the moisture is soaking into the walls from the exterior try painting the exterior walls with Apex paint. Though very costly it is totally waterproof and the best part is your walls dont need repainting for ever.

On the long run it is better not to use "totally waterproof" paint on your walls... one day they'll have mini-cracks, the water gets in and there is no possibility for the wall to dry again properly. Result: one day you can peel the paint or even the plaster like a skin from the wall...

I don't know the details about Apex, but in general it is very important that humidity can diffuse, the best would be a kind of "gore-tex" for your walls. It is not easy to find the right products. In the beginning they all look great, but the difference comes after years... and then it is not easy to repair anymore.

PeakXV · Jul 12th, 2007, 23:03

add a cup of TSP(trisodium phosphate) and a cup of bleach to a gallon of water, sop or spray it on and let it sit/work in for at least half an hour.

Noodle · Jul 13th, 2007, 16:01

Thanks Peak, but a bit too much effort for a small area. What does TSP do? Is it a disinfectant?

I got this Robin fabric stain remover, liquid bleach. Put a cap full into 2 l of water and wiped the area with it. Most of the stains came out, a couple not.

Thanks all!

Goldendeer · Jul 13th, 2007, 16:26

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/inftsp.html

Jul 12th, 2007, 14:48	#1
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	Mould on walls - how best to clean? As every year in monsoon a couple of moist patches have developed on several walls throughout the flat. I keep windows open and the fans on when it doesn't rain to keep air circulation high, and the patches have dried, but on one of them spots of green-greyish mould have started to appear. Last year I wiped it off with soapy water, but was wondering if that is enough or if any of you have better solutions. Bleach? Hydrogen peroxide maybe? Thanks! PS: can't clean too vigorous as the paint will come off! Gentle wiping is all I can do. __________________ If in hole stop digging. Indian saying

Jul 12th, 2007, 19:36	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,299	I'd say bleach too. Diluted, yes --- a lot!. Get it while it is fresh. You may never get rid of the stain, otherwise. Didn't you just get new bright orange paintwork? Or was that someone else? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jul 12th, 2007, 23:03	#13
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 3,926	add a cup of TSP(trisodium phosphate) and a cup of bleach to a gallon of water, sop or spray it on and let it sit/work in for at least half an hour. __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

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Jul 12th, 2007, 16:50	#2
iwanttogoback is sorry Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: perth Posts: 1,517	bleach works wonders, especially if you wipe it on and leave it for a while. most anti-mould products seem to be based on bleach so i just save money by buying the cheapest bleach i can find. oh, and make sure the room is really well ventilated whilst you're using the bleach, its fumes can be quite noxious.

Jul 12th, 2007, 16:53	#3
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	Thank you, iwanttogoback. I will try bleach then. Do you dilute it in water?

Jul 12th, 2007, 20:17	#8
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 859	Sometimes I also use vinegar essence or simple vinegar (the clear one) for this purpose. But acid and the plaster of walls is a difficult combination, better to try it in a corner. Although in India even inside plaster is normally pure cement plaster, it is quite stable against anything, but still...

Jul 12th, 2007, 21:39	#10
Goldendeer Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore,India Posts: 51	Instead of bleach you can also use Domex toilet cleaning liquid which is scented chlorine. Last time I bought from a local shop it was about Rs25 for a bottle. I use it for even cleaning my sweat drenched sports shoes and socks. If the moisture is soaking into the walls from the exterior try painting the exterior walls with Apex paint. Though very costly it is totally waterproof and the best part is your walls dont need repainting for ever.

Jul 12th, 2007, 22:00	#11
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	I bought a bottle of bleach. Will do it tomorrow. Goldendeer, I'm on the fourth floor, I'm not going to fling myself out the windows to paint the walls But thanks anyway

Jul 13th, 2007, 16:01	#14
Noodle Crazy for the furry ones Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Pune, India Posts: 1,009	Thanks Peak, but a bit too much effort for a small area. What does TSP do? Is it a disinfectant? I got this Robin fabric stain remover, liquid bleach. Put a cap full into 2 l of water and wiped the area with it. Most of the stains came out, a couple not. Thanks all!

Jul 13th, 2007, 16:26	#15
Goldendeer Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore,India Posts: 51	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infxtra/inftsp.html

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