Mold on the external walls of the home: eliminate it easily using bleach
Rain, humidity, the cold - all these factors and conditions help mold to proliferate. And as a result, the exterior of our homes can get "attacked" by unsightly mold.
But there are cheap and effective DIY methods to deal with this problem - read on to find out more:
What is mold?
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in humid environments. Mold typically starts to develop in the nooks and crannies around the home, causing the air to smell stale and musty. Also, it's worth remembering that mold (or the spores it produces) can be harmful to the occupants of the home.
The best way to keep the home mold-free is to keep it very dry by ventilating it properly and frequently.
You may be surprised to learn that mold can even thrive on the exterior walls of the home - despite them being exposed to the open air. Given this, let's see how to eliminate mold from external walls:
How to eliminate mold from the exteriors
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Especially during winter, mold can develop relatively easily on the exterior of the house. This needs to be dealt with asap, as mold can damage paint (and other) finishes and cause wood to rot. But how? Well, the answer is bleach - here's how to proceed:
- Get a bucket (filled with water), bleach and some rags.
- Add half a liter of bleach to 1.5 liters of water (but depending on your needs, these doses can easily be doubled or tripled). If the mold is ingrained, you may also decide to add a few tablespoons of bicarbonate (baking soda).
- Once you have this mixture prepared, spray it on the affected areas (or use the rags to spread it over the moldy spots).
- Allow to act for a few minutes and then scrub the mold off using a scrubbing brush.
- Rinse off with clean water and leave to dry.
What to do once the mold has been eliminated
Once all the mold has been completely removed, you may want to repair/repaint any areas that the mold damaged.
Bleach can be used on concrete, wood and bricks, but it is best not to use bleach on natural stone materials. Instead, use a neutral detergent on these types of surfaces. And, of course, before using bleach (or any other "aggressive" cleaner), make sure that the flooring, plants and any other nearby objects are covered and protected.
