METHOD OF FIGHTING SURFACE MICROORGANISMS

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for fighting mold, algae, and other microorganisms on various wall, floor, or ceiling surfaces infested with said organisms, and on masonry in general. The method comprises the following steps carried out consecutively: applying a first solution to the infested surface, wherein the first solution contains at least one surfactant compound; applying at least once a second solution that was basified by means of caustic soda to the infested surface, wherein the solution contains at least one hypochlorite compound; applying a third solution to the infested surface, wherein the solution contains at least hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid as active substances, and wherein the application of the third solution is continued until the foam formation on the infested surface has ended; applying a fourth solution to the infested surface, wherein the solution contains at least one quaternary ammonium compound.

Claims

1. A method of fighting mold, algae and other microorganisms on various affected wall, floor or ceiling surfaces infested therewith, and on masonry in general, wherein the method consists of the steps of sequentially: applying to the affected surface a first solution that contains at least one surfactant compound, applying to the affected surface a second solution that has been made alkaline using sodium hydroxide on the affected surface and that contains at least one hypochlorite compound, applying to the affected surface a third solution that contains at least hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid as active substances so as to generate foam and continuing application of the third solution until foaming on the affected surface has ended, and applying to the affected surface a fourth solution that is aqueous and contains at least one quaternary ammonium compound and pentapotassium triphosphate with a concentration of 1-5%.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first solution contains at least sodium alkane sulfonate with a concentration of 1-5%, alcohol ethoxylate with a concentration of 1-5%, butyldiglycol with a concentration of 5-15%.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second solution is aqueous and contains at least sodium hydroxide with a concentration of 5-15% and sodium hypochlorite with a concentration of 1-10%.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the third solution is aqueous and contains at least hydrogen peroxide with a concentration of 1-5%, polyaminopropyl biguanide with a concentration of up to 1% and lactic acid with a concentration of 1-5%.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fourth solution is aqueous and contains at least benzalkonium chloride with a concentration of 5-15% and s ethylenediaminetetraacetate with a concentration of 1%.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step, subsequent to application of the fourth solution when used on surfaces in an internal room, of: spraying the third solution as a mist into the air of the room.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the solutions is applied by spraying onto the surface.

Description

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0025] An embodiment of the inventive method and the solutions used within it is described below.

[0026] A wall surface of about 5 m.sup.2 infested with mold was treated with the inventive method using the solutions indicated below.

[0027] 250 ml of the first solution was sprayed onto the wall.

[0028] 1 l of the first solution contained: [0029] 125 g Sodium alkane sulfonate [0030] 125 g alcohol ethoxylate [0031] 375 g butyldiglycol [0032] 125 g pentapotassium triphosphate

[0033] After a treatment time of 15 minutes, the second solution was applied. Based on the masonry (solid brick wall in an old building, plastered and painted white) the second solution was sprayed on 3 times. A total amount of 2 l was used.

[0034] 1 l of the second solution contained: [0035] 300 g sodium hydroxide [0036] 200 g sodium hypochlorite

[0037] After a treatment time of 30 minutes, the third solution was sprayed onto the wall twice. A total amount of 2 l was used. [0038] 1 l of the third solution contained: [0039] 100 g hydrogen peroxide [0040] 10 g polyaminopropyl biguanide [0041] 100 g/ml lactic acid

[0042] After the final treatment stage, absolutely no foaming could be observed.

[0043] Finally, the fourth solution was sprayed onto the wall. A total amount of 500 ml was used.

[0044] 1 l of the fourth solution contained: [0045] 0.75 g benzalkonium chloride [0046] 0.05 g ethylenediaminetetraacetate

[0047] Finally, 250 ml of the third solution was atomized in a nebulizer (N80101240 Pfalz Technik AUTOMATIC W03, S-B10.W03 DD; Throughput 2.5-3 bar: 2-7 l/min effective; generated aerosol particles size about 8) for 5 minutes in the room in which the treated surface was located. After about 160 minutes the procedure was completed and the room could be used safely.

[0048] Since the wall was previously obscured by a cabinet, the only cause of the mold build-up was deemed to be a lack of rear ventilation. Since now the wall is dry and the building is well drained, it can be assumed that the mold will not reappear within 3 years.