Mold on the wall, around the window, or in the bathroom: annoying, but you can often tackle it yourself for small areas. Below, you can read how to do this safely and when it is better to call in a professional.
Can you remove mold yourself?
For a small, superficial spot (roughly smaller than one square meter), you can certainly get to work yourself. If it concerns larger surfaces, a wall that is structurally damp, or if you notice health complaints related to the mold, it is wiser to call in a specialist or seek advice from the local health authority (GGD).
Step by step: how to tackle it
- Protect yourself. Wear gloves and preferably a face mask, and ensure good ventilation during cleaning by opening windows.
- Use a suitable agent. A store-bought mold remover or a mixture of water and cleaning vinegar works on most smooth surfaces. On wallpaper or plasterwork, extra caution is needed, as scrubbing can spread the damage.
- Work from the outside in so that you do not smear the mold further over a larger area.
- Let the surface dry well after cleaning. A wall that is still damp is an invitation for new growth.
- Throw away contaminated cloths and sponges instead of reusing them.
Why cleaning alone is not enough
Cleaning mold removes the visible stain, but the spores that the mold has left behind often remain in the air and on the surface. As soon as the conditions (moisture, heat) are favorable again, the mold can return, sometimes within a few weeks. That is why it is important to address the underlying cause in addition to cleaning: high humidity, a thermal bridge, or insufficient ventilation.
Preventing the return of mold
Ventilate the room structurally and keep an eye on the humidity, especially in bathrooms, basements, and bedrooms. If the humidity remains high despite ventilation, a dehumidifier is a logical next step. Our advice is the Dynter AirPure DH251 dehumidifier, which structurally extracts moisture from the air and thus significantly reduces the chance of new mold growth. This prevents you from having to stand there with a mold spray in your hand every few months.
If you have any doubts about the scale of the problem, or if you notice that symptoms such as coughing or a runny nose are worsening in a certain room, do not take any risks and have the situation assessed by a professional.