Aspirin and black mould

[Mike Halmarack]

Solvent needed for Salicylic acid crystals.

When black mould visited my flat I got some great advice here about mixing salicylic acid with emulsion paint and applying it to the affected area.

It worked a treat, though I understand that the crushed aspirin wouldn't actually dissolve in the paint but be suspended in it.

Now the white linings of my balcony curtains have black mould where they come close to the end walls. I'd like to replace the linings and then spray the new linings with a salicylic acid solution.

As the paint won't be there as a carrier this time I need to find a solvent for the acid crystals, which will allow me to spray this solution where its needed.

Any advice on this would be most appreciated

[newshound]

it's soluble in water, especially when warm (Wikipedia gives details).

The residue if you crush aspirin tablets and try to dissolve them in water is, essentially, chalk (calcium carbonate).

[Andy Burns]

Acetone, ethanol or methanol ... keep a fire extinguisher handy!

[Mike Halmarack]

I do have the pure crystals this time and I see that they are soluble in water at 20c. I don't know if the crystals would come out of solution as the water cooled, possibly making penetration into the curtain linings less effective.

[Mike Halmarack]

Thanks for the slightly deterrent advice, though if needs must...

[Brian Gaff (Sofa]

The big question though is where is the damp coming from and where is there mould elsewhere from which the spores are emanating? Inside a fitted cupboard on an outside wall, maybe? Brian

[nothanks]

It would be better to fix the cause of the problem, rather than treating the symptoms. Eradicate the cause of the dampness and improve ventilation.

[newshound]

Well they will certainly precipitate when it dries up. You might have to make a more dilute solution.

[Mike Halmarack]

This flat enjoys the end of block position with a rather porous brick gable wall. Half the gable wall includes a bedroom with a fitted cupboard over it's entirety I'm sure there's mould behind that and I'd like to spray behind it somehow.

The outside of the gable wall gets lots of wet westerlys and needs treating to prevent or reduce water ingress. What makes this a little more tricky is that I have a flat above mine so it would have to be a joint effort.

If I can get the damp and mould sorted I'll' be considering internal insulation.

[David]

Dispirin? (Soluble Aspirin).

Cheers

Dave R

[Chris Hogg]

GIYF

Works to prevent mould on plants, as well

[Animal]

classic way to make damp worse