Almost everyone knows it: In autumn and winter, condensation quickly forms on the windows. This is usually due to incorrect heating and ventilation. Here you can find out what you can do about it and what you should pay attention to to prevent mold growth.
If the humidity is too high and it hits cold surfaces in a room – which windows like to be – it condenses on them.
If this happens on a pane, for example, the humidity in the microclimate there is already 100 percent, even if the value is still okay in the rest of the room or where the hygrometer is.
Moisture is created during daily activities such as showering, cooking, washing, drying clothes – or simply through our breathing. Plants or an aquarium also evaporate water.
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Condensation can lead to mold – what you should pay attention to and what helps
In the worst case, the condensation can cause mold, since the water film is an ideal breeding ground for the spores. The corners of the rooms, niches and the area around the window are particularly susceptible to this, but it can also happen behind pieces of furniture directly on the outer wall.
Mold can be avoided by heating and regular airing – the latter preferably several times a day with the windows fully open.
If you like it precise: the humidity in the room should not rise above 60 percent, advises the Bremen consumer advice center. In addition, all living rooms and bedrooms in the house should be heated to at least 16 degrees, even if they are not used in winter.
In this way, on the one hand, you regularly ventilate the excessive humidity, and on the other hand, you prevent it from settling on the cold walls as condensation. In addition, large furniture can be moved away from the outer wall, at least in the cold months.
What to do with mold stains on the wall?
In principle, experts advise only removing small patches of mold up to a maximum of half a square meter yourself. On smooth surfaces such as glass, metal, paintwork and plastics, they can simply be wiped off with a cloth and cleaning water containing a household cleaner.
Porous materials such as wallpaper must be removed. The best thing to do afterwards is to wipe the wall down with 70 to 80 percent ethyl alcohol, also known as denatured alcohol. Silicone joints, upholstery and fabrics should be disposed of better, as it is difficult to free them from fungal networks and spores.
In the long run, mold in the living room can impair health. The spots can trigger allergic reactions, and they pose a particular risk to people with weak immune systems, such as the chronically ill, children and the elderly. Mold also degrades building materials such as wood and wallpaper over time. If you find very large mold stains, you should therefore have them professionally removed by a professional.
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