First there is a musty smell in the air and suddenly the damp parasite can no longer be overlooked: there is mold in the apartment! Because many of those affected only notice the infestation when the harmful organism has already spread, the need is often great. The subject of mold in the living area is also afflicted with disgust and the fear of the health risks is well founded.
Here you can find out exactly why the annoying mold seeks proximity to us humans and how you can get rid of the mold again.
Why is mold in the bedroom?
Two climatic factors come together here: On the one hand, every adult sweats and exhales up to 1.5 liters of moisture during the night. This water circulates in the room air. It’s not harmful at first.
The humid air now wants to exchange with the cooler areas of the room. Because the bedroom is often not heated at night, this works very well. The wet air condenses at the coldest point. It is reflected on windows, doors and wallpaper. The result: green, gray or black mold develops.
Typical reasons for mold growth in the bedroom
Humidity too high
To protect themselves from noise, many people close the bedroom door at night. Humidity inevitably increases rapidly, especially in a small room.
Incorrect ventilation
Regular intermittent ventilation takes some time every day. If the window remains closed, the saturated room humidity cannot escape. She throws herself down in the room.
Conversely, permanent tilt ventilation is also unfavorable. It cools the surrounding masonry. Because cold areas in turn “attract” moisture, the formation of mold increases around the window and on the wallpaper.
Economical heating
Many people like to sleep in a cool room. However, if the walls are permanently cold, they literally attract wet air.
Lack of air circulation through cupboards or room dividers
The air must be able to rotate in the apartment. If the bedroom is blocked with furniture, this hinders the natural exchange of air masses.
Flowers, animals or laundry
Whether there are lush plant pots, an aquarium or a drying rack in the bedroom – such sources also release up to a quarter liter of water into the environment. As a result, there is an even stronger mold infestation.
No ventilation of the mattress
Anyone who makes the bed immediately after getting up inhibits the necessary ventilation; the water vapor accumulates in the upholstery. In that case, the mattress could even go moldy at some point.
What else can mold cause in the bedroom?
Man is not always responsible. These reasons could also contribute to the development of mold:
Structural defects in existing properties
A cold bridge attracts moist air. The cause can be incorrectly placed steel girders, poorly insulated reinforcements or internal pipes. Likewise, overall defective thermal insulation on the entire house could be the cause of the mold infestation.
In new buildings: windows and doors that are too tight
Every modern house is characterized by low energy values. The disadvantage: the new apartment is often so hermetically sealed that there is hardly any reliable exchange of air.
Building moisture Whether new build or complete renovation – craftsmen work with a lot of water. In addition, the building material could previously have been stored in the rain. Drying the masonry and screed can constantly increase the relative humidity for around three years.
Our tip:
Damp walls continuously attract cold air and other moisture. If you have moved into a new building, a special building dryer could remove the moisture load. Talk to your property developer or landlord to have the costs covered.
Damage to pipes and lines
A leak in the pipe system is not visible from the outside. Only when the escaping tap water soaks the masonry does a moldy mold form in the adjoining room. A specialist can identify the damaged area and remove it quickly.
Rainwater penetrating through the outer wall
If the plaster of the house is damaged, the rainwater no longer runs off the facade. The possible consequence: moisture seeps into the masonry again and again. After a few months, the walls are so soaked that they become moldy from the inside.
Where can mold occur anywhere?
It’s not just the walls that are vulnerable. Carpets, mattresses, furniture and permanent fixtures are just as often affected by mold.
Good to know!
Mold growth can also occur here:
- In the basement, especially if it is an old building.
- In the bathroom – especially in the shower and along the adjacent joints.
- Around the granary and the entablature.
Will the mold spores make me sick?
The toxic load should not be underestimated. Sensitive people, children or the sick in particular can be affected by the fumes. Potential health consequences include respiratory problems, headaches, and malaise. Doctors can tell if there is an allergy.
If it happened: how do I remove mold in the bedroom?
In that case, action must be taken immediately. First, move all of the furniture away from the wall and probe and photograph the damage. The affected areas are cleaned superficially with vinegar or alcohol.
Caution: In order to avoid allergic reactions, sensitive people should already wear respiratory protection.
Exposing the masonry
The affected wallpaper must then be removed over a large area. Further mold growth usually emerges underneath. All visible mold must be wiped off immediately with alcohol, vinegar, or a chlorine cleaner.
Fungicide treatment
This is followed by the actual removal of the spores. To do this, apply a special mold spray or other fungicidal agent from a specialist shop. Follow the instructions for use.
Preventing mold
In order to avoid renewed infestation, there are preparations with a depot effect. However, they are suspected of being excessively irritating to the airways. A coating with anti-mold paint should therefore be carefully considered.
Wallpapering
If the affected wall is dry and free of mold, it can be redesigned. Choose a breathable and moisture-regulating wallpaper such as woodchip or non-woven wallpaper. A colored coating is also possible.
Observe the affected area in the following months and heed our tips for avoiding mold in the home. A commercially available thermometer is also helpful. Attached to the previously infested area in the room, it clearly shows the current temperature. If necessary, the heating could be turned on immediately.
How do I prevent mold in the bedroom?
If structural defects or damage to the building can be ruled out, specific measures must be taken to prevent the mold from spreading again. These include:
Proper heating
Ensure a constantly warm climate not only in the cold season, but also in spring and autumn. To do this, the heating has to be switched on again and again.
In order to ensure the moisture balance to the other rooms, bring these to the same temperature. The living rooms should not fall below a temperature of 17 degrees.
Intermittent ventilation
Regular ventilation is essential. Open your bedroom window for at least five minutes in the morning and in the evening. It is ideal if you can ventilate the rooms of your apartment using drafts. Then eliminate the unwanted water vapor from scratch.
Move furniture away from the outer wall
Remove all furniture that is directly against the wall and set a minimum distance of three centimeters from the outer wall. Correct ventilation is of no use if the room air stagnates behind the inventory and soaks up moisture there.
Clearing out
Even fully packed chests of drawers can prevent circulation and store moisture. Ensure that deep drawers, bed linen and mattresses are regularly ventilated.
Do not set up a laundry room
The damp clothes horse or wet sports gear should not be kept in the bedroom.
Using a fan
If used correctly, the device can prevent mold. Start the blower just before ventilating the room. The propeller swirls cold and warm layers together. They can then be removed more easily from the living area.
Checking room air
A simple hygrometer is ideal for checking the success of the measures. The device measures the relative humidity and thus shows you the water vapor content in the ambient air. You may need to ventilate or heat more often.
