In some apartments, ventilation and heating don't seem to help: the mold in the shower just keeps coming back. Not only does it cause unsightly black spots, but it also poses a health risk.
Mold thrives particularly in damp places and spreads quickly. The water vapor that is created when showering makes the shower the ideal breeding ground for mold.
To ensure that the harmful fungus doesn't spread uncontrollably, we'll tell you how you can remove it yourself and who is responsible for removing it in rented apartments.
Also read:
How dangerous is black mold in the shower?
Studies show a connection between mold and allergic reactions or irritations. Particularly in children and adults with existing asthma, inhaling mold spores can worsen symptoms and cause additional symptoms.
But even in healthy people with no previous exposure, mold can lead to the development of asthma, coughing or shortness of breath. Allergies and skin rashes, as well as general fatigue and headaches are also associated with the mold.
It is not yet clear at what level the mold spores cause health problems. For this reason, visible mold stains should always be removed as quickly as possible to keep air pollution as low as possible.
Under what circumstances can you remove mold yourself?
If only small areas have mold infestation, you can try to remove it yourself, provided you do not have respiratory illnesses or a generally weakened immune system. The rule of thumb for a “small area” is a maximum of half a square meter, as is typically the case in the shower.
When dealing with mold, it is important to wear the right protective clothing, even on smaller areas. To prevent the mold spores from getting into the respiratory tract or onto the mucous membranes, you should have oneMouth and nose protection*, oneSafety glasses*andGloves*wear (you can get it on Amazon, for example). You should throw away the gloves and mouth and nose protection after cleaning and wash the clothes you wore as soon as possible.
Tipp:You can also wear an FFP-2 mask to protect against mold spores while cleaning. However, this does not provide quite as reliable protection as an FFP-3 mask, which is why it should only be used in exceptional cases.
Also read:
Experts recommend against using home remedies for mold
Many people resort to home remedies to remove mold. Vinegar is particularly popular. Users recommend applying it to a cloth and simply wiping away the mold.
However, the Federal Environment Agency advises against this tactic in its guidelines for dealing with mold. Vinegar can react with the surface on which it is applied and thus become a breeding ground for mold. If in doubt, using vinegar will only make the mold problem worse.
Chlorine is effective against mold
A special one is much more effective against mold in the showerMold remover with chlorine*. This kills the fungus and its spores and bleaches the black spots at the same time. To do this, simply spray the cleaner onto the affected areas, let it take effect according to the instructions for use and then rinse everything off with clear water.
However, the smell of chlorine can be very strong with these cleaners, which is why you should ventilate the room well after use.
Also read:
How do I get black mold out of silicone caulk?
Silicone joints in the shower are usually more difficult to remove mold stains than the solid joints made of grout. This is due to the soft nature of the silicone, which the mold literally eats into.
Although a mold remover with chlorine kills most mold, it does not always remove dark stains reliably. In this case there is no health risk more, but many people are still visually bothered by the black remains.
If silicone joints are discolored, the only solution is usually to renew the joint. This is not particularly complicated and can be done with the help of oneComplete sets for joint renovation*easy to do yourself.
Also read:
Rented apartment: Who has to remove mold in the shower?
If you live in a rented apartment, you should let your property management or rental company know before you tackle the mold problem yourself. Tenants have an obligation to notify their landlord if there is any damage in the apartment - which includes mold in the shower.
This also means that you do not have to bear the costs of removing the mold yourself, as long as you did not cause the mold through misconduct. A possible malpractice that can lead to the formation of mold in the shower would be, for example, incorrect or infrequent ventilation.
However, if there are structural defects - such as a window that is too small or a defective ventilation - it is quite clear that the mold is not your fault and it is therefore the responsibility of your rental company to remove it properly.
Have you ever had to deal with mold in the shower? We look forward to your tips on removal and prevention on social media!
