How to eliminate and prevent black mold on windows

Being a house-owner is not an easy task, as one has to take care about one’s house properly. There are so many issues to take into consideration. Window mold is one of the problems one should not ignore and react immediately.

What causes mold on window frames

Mold is a visible part produced by fungus system. Actually, the black mold (or Stachybotrys chartarum) on the surface is only the visible part of this system, the invisible part is in fact, much bigger. Mold develops from fungi spores, which start reproduction quickly, as soon as they get on a  spot with favorable conditions. Such favorable conditions are dark humid areas with no ventilation. Another possible trigger for the Stachybotrys chartarum growing on windows is mildew, condensation on the window panes.

Actually, especially window panes, window frames and window sills made of wood are vulnerable to the fungus growth. In cold seasons, windows serve as the barrier for the cold air outside. When the hot air of the house gets in touch with the cold window pane, it gets colder and consequently, can keep less moisture. The moisture, then, remains on the glass, creating condensation. Moist glass is a perfect spot for the development of fungi .

Mold growing on window sills is dangerous

The problem with black mould is not as simple as it looks at first sight. It is not only esthetically unattractive, but really dangerous to human health. It can damage health of people with weakened immune system and provoke many allergies you were not even suspecting of!

IMPORTANT: don’t let black mold spread in your house and damage your health.

Although black mold is dangerous in itself, it is also a sure indicator that the air in your house is stale. The air which is not changed frequently, accumulates a lot of dust, microbes and bacteria and this is harmful for human health, especially in the periods of epidemia.

How to clean mold from window sill

Combating the black mold must always comprise two operations: removing the visible part of black mold, which is disgusting to see and killing the mold spores, which are invisible but produce mold. This is the best way to remove mold definitely. Hence, dealing with it  comprises two important stages:

  1. Cleaning the excess of mold.
  2. Killing the spores.

In its turn, cleaning of the mold can be done in two ways:

  1. mechanically
  2. using detergents

To clean the area affected with mold mechanically, you can use a vacuum cleaner.

IMPORTANT: use special reliable filters, which capture the mold spores and prevent the spreading of the spores all over your house.

You can also use a brush to clean the mold or you can scrub it away from non porous surfaces.

Otherwise, you can use detergents solutions  to wash the mold away. This method works well only for the non porous surfaces which cannot be damaged by contact with water. Use it with caution on wood, especially on wooden products, which were not chemically treated for water resistance. In such cases, it is preferable to use a brush, scrub or a vaccum cleaner. If you have mold on wood window sills, your strategy depends on the way the wood is treated: painted, impregnated, etc. Use dry-cleaning instead of washing, if the wood isn’t treated.

The second stage consists of killing all the fungus spores on the spot. For this purpose,  you can use several agents:

  1. chemicals
  2. natural fungicides.

The most often used chemicals to kill the spores can be bought in nearly every supermarket, these are:

  • bleach
  • BORAX.

However, you must be rather cautious while using these chemicals.

ATTENTION: protect yourself with gloves, mask, etc.

As an alternative, you may use natural fungicides, they are odorless and not aggressive to human health. These are:

  • Tea tree oil
  • Orange seeds oil
  • vinegar

Add few drops of the oil or vinegar to the water and apply to the surface cleaned from black mold. Let it sit for some time. Actually, this is a rather effective way to clean mold from window sills: vinegar and other natural fungicides can kill up to 80% of spores.

How to prevent mold on window sills

Understanding the conditions that provoke black mold growth is very important to work out a strategy to prevent its reappearance in the future. First of all, it is necessary to avoid the formation of condensation (mildew) on the window panes, as it provokes the appearance of black mold on windows, between the window frames, on the window sills, frames and panes. For this purpose, open your windows once in a while to get some ventilation, especially in the bathrooms and kitchens, which are humid apriori.

NOTE: your task is to prevent condensation which provokes mold growth on windows.

Also, try to keep as less plants on the window sills as possible, as plants produce excessive humidity, they can either infect the wood with the spores contained in the pot or create favorable conditions for the spores growth around them. And of course, once you’ve spotted black mold, you should not only clean it away from the surface but kill all the invisible spores around this area.

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