Mold is harmful to health and the structure of the building – and should therefore be removed quickly. Mold removers are often the solution here. Stiftung Warentest shows you which products you can use without hesitation and which brands you should stay away from to remove mold. Watch the video to see how to prevent mold on the window.
Mold is not only ugly, it also endangers health and building fabric in the long run. Therefore, fungal stains should be removed while they are still small. Stiftung Warentest tested 14 cleaning agents for mold – with good results (“test” issue 2/22). All kill the fungi, but some products also endanger your health.
Sprays were the main pesticides tested. Not a single remedy scored “very well” in the test. Nine received the rating “good”. Another spray is still “satisfactory”. Four products only score “sufficient”.
You should be careful with these products
The four sprays rated “sufficient” contain sodium hypochlorite, which is often advertised as “active chlorine”. But the substance also pollutes the air and respiratory tract. Such sprays can also burn the skin or damage the eyes in unventilated areas or without protective equipment.
The Council of Product Testers: “Less health risks are associated with non-hypochlorite products that are advertised as chlorine-free.” But household remedies such as the high-proof alcohols isopropanol and ethanol also kill the fungi well.
Remove mold: Here’s how
Even if the spots are still very small, they should not be ignored, but removed as quickly as possible, says Guido Fischer from the Baden-Württemberg State Health Office.
“The residents can remove smaller areas of up to half a square meter themselves, provided there is no allergy or immunosuppression,” says Fischer. It is best to clean using personal protective equipment with an FFP2 mask and protective gloves.
The rooms should be ventilated during this time. In corners where the air normally circulates poorly, a fan can help.
Prevent mold: air regularly
To prevent mold, it helps to ventilate regularly. So-called CO2 detectors are practical helpers. They measure the CO2 content in the air and warn you if the concentration is too high, reminding you to ventilate. Stiftung Warentest tested 15 of these devices. You can read more about the test winners and where you can buy the CO2 detectors cheaply here:
Mold due to improper ventilation? Stiftung Warentest checks little helpers
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Too much mold: this is where the professional has to go
However, cleaning is not necessarily the end of the story. If the cause of the mold is not identified and remedied, it will quickly form again, often on a much larger scale.
It can only be due to a ventilation problem, but construction defects such as thermal bridges, poor sealing or leaks can also be the cause of the mold problem. It is therefore advisable to hire an expert to investigate the causes of recurring and larger infestations.
You can read the detailed test report for a fee at Stiftung Warentest.