If last night, when you go to bed, you suddenly discover a damp stain on the ceiling, do not despair because there is a solution for this. We know that fungi and mold are the terror of homes. Who wants to see a black stain on the wall? How to remove moisture from walls?
Mold grows in hot, humid environments with poor ventilation, and we usually see it on ceilings, walls, and ceilings in bathrooms. On the other hand – and beyond the unpleasant results to the eye or having ruined the paint or wallpaper – this humidity is also harmful to health.
Nobody wants to be or sleep in a room where there are mold and moisture. Do not rule out the presence of some water leakage or some problem in the pipes. Even the pipes for heating can generate humidity on the walls.
How to remove moisture from walls?
No matter how much you fix or paint the wall, clean, or resort to any advice, it is essential to detect and solve the cause behind the water leakage. Otherwise, the spots will reappear.
1. Talc
Sprinkle talcum powder on wet spots and distribute with a dry cloth. Let the powder soak into the wall and repeat as many times as necessary to make the stain disappear.
2. Baking soda
Dilute a little baking soda in a bowl of water. Apply the mixture to the stain with a sponge or cloth. Try to do this cleaning on a day without rain, so that you can open the windows and speed up drying. Keep reading How To Season A Humidor in Easy Way.
3. Bleach
Act the same as in the previous step. Dilute a little bleach in a bowl of water and rub it over the stain with a cloth or sponge. In addition to cleaning, it will help you eliminate bacteria and germs that are harmful to health. (I do not include the last sentence because it is incomprehensible).
4. Tea tree oil
This option is more natural but a bit more expensive. Combine two teaspoons of oil in two cups of water for an effective mixture for removing mold from your walls.
Another advantage is that since it is odorless, you do not need to rinse it: pour this combination into a spray bottle, apply it to the stains and wait for them to disappear.
5. Apple cider vinegar
It’s another great natural option, useful for cleaning multiple surfaces. To remove mold, dilute a cup of vinegar in three liters of water.
As an added bonus, vinegar removes more than 80% of viruses and bacteria that could be found on ceilings and walls.
It is a good option to get rid of these undesirable germs.
10 infallible recommendations to remove moisture stains
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Gum arabic
This resin is extracted from certain varieties of acacia. Since it can be scented, it makes an excellent moisture reducer. Put it in rooms, drawers, or closets.
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Sea salt
This coarse salt is a familiar, simple, and inexpensive hack. Put a little salt in several containers and distribute them around the rooms of your house. If you prefer, serve it in glasses to take advantage of it as a decoration.
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Charcoal
It is very effective in combating humidity in the environment. Simply put, a few pieces in a container that has a perforated lid. Change the charcoal every two weeks.
- When cooking, remember to turn on the exhaust fan every time you boil something.
- Do not use the clothes dryer in a closed environment. You need to open doors and windows to promote ventilation.
- It is rare to have a fan in the bathroom, but it is a good option to keep the environment dry.
- Places like the kitchen or bathroom are usually humid because they are spaces where a lot of water is used. Try to keep windows and doors open to allow proper ventilation.
- Install an electric dehumidifier.
- Repair any water leaks you notice immediately.
- After you shower, make sure the shower curtain is extended well. Do the same with the towels. This will prevent moisture from concentrating.
Tips to avoid humidity
Despite having solved the problem of humidity in the walls, it is always necessary to follow a series of tips to avoid its future appearance. In addition to checking for possible cracks or leaks, other minor aspects must be taken into account.
In general, rooms must be ventilated periodically for several minutes, although some rooms are more prone to humidity problems. For example, it is common for dampness to appear in the bathroom and kitchen, so these areas must be well ventilated. If, for example, the steam generated when we shower is not ventilated properly, it can end up generating mold and humidity. And it is always advisable to use the exhaust fan in the kitchen.
In closed places, such as closets or pantries, this problem can also arise. To avoid this, you can place a bowl with rice or charcoal, since they are products that absorb moisture.
On the other hand, if the place where you live is extremely humid, you can also resort to the use of dehumidifiers.
Another recommendation is to avoid hanging clothes in rooms that are not ventilated. It is also advisable to insulate the windows so that as little outside condensation as possible forms.
Clean up the moisture
Once the area has been prepared, you can get to work with cleaning. This step is especially important if new materials or coatings will need to be applied to the affected surfaces later, as it usually avoids many problems.
How do you clean the moisture from the walls? We can use different methods and products:
Bleach and water: Bleach is one of the most recommended products, as its effectiveness is proven. It is generally recommended to mix one part bleach with three parts of water in a suitable container. Then a brush or sponge is soaked in the mixture and rubbed vigorously over the affected area. Repeating this process as many times as necessary, little by little, the moisture stains will disappear. To enhance the effect of bleach, it is advisable to let it act for a few minutes on the most affected areas.
Hydrogen peroxide: There are also those who decide to spray hydrogen peroxide on the area where fungi or mold have appeared. After a few minutes, it is removed to gradually remove the stains.
White vinegar: There are those who say that applying white vinegar to the affected area is possible to eliminate mold. It can also be diluted a little in water.
Sodium bicarbonate: Combined with water, it can be applied to the affected surface. You have to let it act for a while and then remove it with a damp cloth.
These are just some of the many natural remedies to clean moisture from the walls that exist. However, it is usually recommended to seek the advice of professionals who know how to solve the problem and help you prevent it.
Remember that with the most aggressive products, such as bleach, it is advisable to use waterproof gloves to protect your hands.