How to get rid of the smell of mold in the apartment, on things and in the closet

The appearance of mold in the apartment is an extremely unpleasant fact. It is not only a source of disgusting odor, but also poses a threat to human health, as it can cause many diseases. Therefore, if there is a smell of mold, you must immediately take measures to eliminate it. Have to be patient, because getting rid of an idle guest is not so simple.

Causes of mold

According to experts, dampness is considered the main cause of mold. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to establish a source of moisture in the apartment. This can be done by conducting elementary research.

1. If mold covers the corner facing the outer wall of the apartment, then it is probably a question of gaps in the panel wall, poor insulation of the brick fence, or the building materials become unusable from time to time.
2. The formation of mold colonies on the floor or in the lower zones of the corners indicates poor waterproofing. Most likely in the basement there was a leak of water and raw air rises into the room.
3. In the bathroom or toilet, the presence of mold can be explained by leaking in the mine, at the location of water pipes and sewers.
4. If mold covers different objects and is seen in various places, then this is a sure sign of high humidity and poor ventilation.

In the cabinet, mold is extremely rare. As a result of its appearance, there is not only an unpleasant smell, but also stubborn stains on clothes. Most often, the cause of mold damage in the closet is the storage of wet items of clothing or linen. This problem may also arise due to the fact that the walls of the room are already affected by the fungus. This is especially often observed in old high-rise buildings. Initially accumulating under sinks and in corners, mold can spread rapidly throughout the room if it does not respond in a timely manner.

The appearance of mold on shoes is associated with improper storage or insufficient drying. Moreover, a dangerous fungus can settle both outside and inside.

How to get rid of the smell of mold in the apartment

Elimination of fetid moldy odor is possible with the help of a ready-made product sold in hardware stores. Such industrial aerosols are able to absorb excess moisture and prevent the further spread of a dangerous fungus.

However, many prefer folk remedies. At the same time, getting rid of the smell boils down to destroying the source of its spread - mold. The most common methods are as follows:

1. The chlorine-containing bleach perfectly copes with mold. With a mixture of 1 part of the product and 10 parts of water, the area affected by the fungus is rubbed. When using such a solution, it is important to exercise caution, because the bleach is toxic.
2. Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent helper, but it should be used without diluting it in water. In addition, such a simple tool is able to “eat” the color, so you need to use it very carefully on surfaces. To remove mold stains, just spray a little peroxide on them, then simply rinse this place with water.
3. Vinegar is indispensable in the fight against fungus and the smell emanating from it. If it is applied to the affected surface and rinsed with water after an hour, then the problem will be eliminated. A similar procedure can be repeated after 7-8 days in order to prevent.
4. Baking soda is not only an indispensable assistant in the kitchen, it is also a merciless enemy of mold. The solution is prepared simply: a teaspoon of the product is added to a glass of water. To fix the problem, just wipe the problem areas with a sponge dampened in a solution or simply spray it.
5. You can also use ammonia as a weapon, which can quickly and easily destroy all traces of the fungus. Its use is relevant for surfaces without a porous structure. Alcohol is diluted in the same amount of water, and then gently sprayed onto the affected area. After 2-3 hours, everything must be washed off with water. There will be no trace of the fungus.
6. Most often, mold settles in the bathroom. A container with a spray, which contains 5% acetic solution, can eliminate unpleasant odors. And adding a few drops of essential oil to such a tool turns it into an air freshener.

Eliminating mold deposits is half the battle. It is important to permanently get rid of her presence in the apartment. This can be done by reducing the humidity in the room. For this:

• Take care of the hood in the kitchen or in the bathroom. Check if it is working.
• Washed items are best not to dry indoors.
• It is advisable to always ventilate the room after wet cleaning.
• You can use a dehumidifier used in everyday life.

Most mold accumulates in the corner area. Therefore, it is advisable to place the collection mixture at these points. It’s easy to cook. It is enough to mix 100 grams of kitchen salt with 2-3 plates of activated carbon crushed into powder. Place the resulting product in a container with a wide neck, and do not forget to change it once every seven days.

Important! Carrying out repairs in the apartment, it is recommended to use an antiseptic primer. Such a tool not only completely eliminates the fungus, but also prevents its appearance in the future.

How to remove mold odor from shoes

Often, spring shoes, which you get after a long winter, are covered with terrible mold and fragrant with unpleasant aromas. Do not rush and resort to radical measures! You can get rid of such a problem quickly and easily. Regular vinegar mixed with the same amount of water will come to the rescue. To begin with, brushing off affected shoes should remove mold deposits as much as possible. After that, moisten a napkin in the prepared composition and carefully remove the remains of the fungus with it. Finally, wipe the shoes with a towel to absorb any excess fluid.

There is another remedy. To begin with, the shoes are thoroughly washed with a warm soapy solution. The inside is wiped with a chlorine-based disinfectant. After this, a mixture is prepared from ammonia and vodka, taken in equal amounts, with which shoes are rubbed both outside and inside. After processing, it is exposed to the open air for several days.

Important! Unfinished shoes or shoes infected with mold must not be shoeed, otherwise skin may be injured.

How to get rid of the smell of mold on things

Having discovered that your wardrobe has acquired a specific moldy smell, you need to take a number of steps to eliminate it.

Firstly, it is necessary in the sun to dry such things affected by the fungus throughout the day. Secondly, after drying, wash them again with powder and with the addition of special odor-removing products. Then dry clothes on the street in the sun.

After that, the affected elements of the wardrobe can be stacked in a closet, while it is recommended to place special sheets for drying between them. Such sheets prevent mold, but they will have to be changed regularly.

You can also eliminate the smell of mold from clothing in the following ways:

• Wipe things with onion juice;
• To process clothes with lemon juice (suitable only for bright things);
• Rinse things in water with the addition of vinegar;
• Use bleach (not necessarily chlorine-based). The chemical composition of such a product contains active substances that kill the fungus.

Remember that drying clothes on the street, especially in the summer, will help to avoid an unpleasant problem.

How to remove the smell of mold in the closet

Mold in the cabinet is not uncommon. The difficulty in solving the problem lies in the fact that it is far from immediately possible to find the colony of the fungus behind the hangers and drawers, and this delays the process of its elimination. Only with the appearance of a specific musty smell does the search for the root cause begin.

If mold is found in the closet, this means that all the contents of the wardrobe are also infected and must be temporarily placed on the street.

1. The source of mold is most likely a wall, so the cabinet should be moved aside and the places of fungal settlements should be moved. The inner surface is thoroughly wiped with hydrogen peroxide, the space outside is washed with a mixture of baking soda and water. After all the procedures, the cabinet should be thoroughly dried.
2. The proven old method is effective, according to which after careful cleaning, gauze and cotton swabs dipped in vinegar are laid out in the closet. After 24 hours, it is necessary to wipe the mold accumulation places with ammonia, and then hang up various aromatic products.
3. A steam generator is an excellent assistant in the unequal fight against a dangerous fungus. It will eliminate mold colonies and spores.

It is possible to fold and hang clothes in the closet only after it dries well. Things themselves must also undergo antiseptic treatment (described above).

What to do if it smells of mold in the washing machine

Among the housewives, it is often a phenomenon when the washed laundry from the machine is not immediately removed. This is fraught with sad consequences. Wet clothes are in the drum, where it dries. Moisture accumulates on the inside of the washing machine. Therefore, specific flavors appear.

Adhering to simple rules, you can save yourself from such problems. For example, you should not leave the laundry in the machine, it should always be removed. The door of such a technique can be left open at least at night, allowing the drum to dry and ventilate. Frequent ventilation of not only the machine, but also the room in which it is installed, will not hurt.

To get rid of the smell of mold in the washing machine, you need to take a number of steps.

1. First of all, clean the rubber seal. To do this, you need a dilute solution of vitriol, which carefully wipes the cuff. After 24 hours, you must rinse everything with water and detergent.
2. Next, you need to clean the drum. Citric acid is perfect for this. Half a glass of this product is poured into the powder section, the washing mode is set and the appliance starts. After such actions, the washed laundry will be especially fresh, and you will have to forget about the smell of mold.

You can eliminate the fungus in the drum in a different way. 1 liter of whiteness is poured into the machine, the washing mode is set at the highest possible temperature and is driven by the longest cycle. At the end of the procedure, the powder tray is pulled out, cleaned with vinegar or whiteness, washed with water and dried.

If, after performing all the described measures, the smell of mold has not disappeared, then the fungus is confidently spreading further and getting rid of it will not be so simple.

Prevention of mold odor

The best cure for mold odor is prevention. If you follow some simple rules, then the likelihood of encountering a similar problem is minimized.

1. Wet or damp clothes should never be left in the basket. It should be dried or washed immediately.
2. Rooms in which a dangerous fungus is likely to appear should be ventilated more often.These include a basement, bathroom, toilet, pantry.
3. In residential buildings suffering from damp, it makes sense to pay special attention to insulation, waterproofing. These measures will help to combat excessive humidity and thus prevent the formation of mold.
4. The box and cat litter can absorb mold odors. However, this method is more suitable for non-residential premises and basements.

Wherever mold is found in the house, this is a sure sign warning of a disturbance in normal air exchange. Taking immediate measures will not only save you from a dangerous fungus, but also keep all households healthy.

Video: how to get rid of mold folk remedies