Mold stain
A foxing stain (mostly used in the plural) is often a moisture damage that causes yellowish or brownish discolouration on paper , for example in books , or on textiles . Other causes can be acidic glues , adhesives , production-related impurities, usage-related soiling, partial yellowing due to inhomogeneities in the paper pulp and the capillary spread of some pollutants (effect as in paper chromatography ) or microbes such as molds . Mold stains are a typical sign of aging and are usually accompanied by a musty odor.
The formation of the mold stains cannot be explained uniformly. Typically, foxing occurs when the paper or textile is very humid or when there is high humidity and a process of stagnation (i.e. spoilage due to moisture), for example due to extreme compression of the parts or extremely airtight sealing of a room, for example. Microbes such as molds or bacteria are very likely to be a contributing factor, or at least one of the accompanying circumstances that is often observed. The mold spores are spread through the air and are capable of germination for years or even decades. A relative humidity of over 55% is necessary for their reproduction.
Apart from the visual impairment and possibly a musty smell, mold stains sometimes do not cause any damage to the materials on which they occur. In the best case, textiles can also continue to be used and kept without any problems. However, mold can be a health hazard. Therefore, mold stains should always be treated, especially if they are large (wallpaper, walls, etc.) or appear in clothing, bed linen, towels, etc. (see below).
Without mold stains
Mold stains on Nova Scotia 1860 postage stamp
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Mold stains can be prevented by lowering the high humidity to below 65%, by lowering the temperature to below 8 ° C, sometimes also by meticulous cleanliness and by applying - not problem-free - fungicides .
Treat mold stains
Mold stains in books can only be removed by a specialist, the paper restorer , and this also applies to prints and geographic maps .
Mold stains on wallpaper or on the ceiling indicate poorly ventilated rooms or, if only locally available, on inadequate insulation and thermal bridges in the wall or on the ceiling. There are various special products on the market for them, most of which are based on chlorine bleach and should therefore only be used with caution in living spaces. Excessive humidity in buildings is mainly caused by exhaled moisture, cooking, showering and bathing, and can be reduced by ventilating or using dehumidifiers or air conditioning units.
Mold stains in textiles can be soaked in vinegar water . The UV light components of the sun also remove mold stains relatively effectively and environmentally friendly. It is also Javel water ( Contains chlorine recommended), which can, however, attack fibers. There is also evidence that ammonia can remove mildew stains. However, these bleaching processes only make sense for light-colored or white fabrics. In addition, soaking in buttermilk is also suitable for household remedies.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Etherington & Roberts Dictionary - Foxing ( Memento of the original from March 4, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Fungi are not always detectable.
- ↑ outdoor sites , removal of stains on the cotton portion of an inner tent.
- ↑ Article mold stains on www.hauswirtschaft.info (link checked on August 10, 2016).
- ↑ Remove information about mold stains at www.der-fleck-muss-weg.de.
