2006-07-25 23:18:29 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
If you do not burn candles check the humidity level in the room(s) that this condition appears. If the room(s) are not properly ventilated you may have a humidity problem that can cause mold which in most cases appears as a black stain. If the problem is in one particular room and you live on the top floor with the roof directly above you, check for a water leak. Depending on your location and prevailing weather conditions and the conditions of the room(s) you may have to do some extensive investigation to determine the cause of the mold. Leaking or sweating water pipes can cause the problem, an unventilated bathroom can create mold and mildew.
If the problem is in a kitchen the problem can be from cooking. You'll have to check each area the mold appears to determine exactly what is causing it. If you really do have mold and it cannot be permanently removed with a bleach and water wash you have a serious condition and it is suggested that you have your local health department inspect it. Certain types of mold can be serious causes of illness and a definite danger to your health.
2006-07-25 23:38:36 · answer #1 · answered by Richard 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Black walls occur because of two things: mold or soot. For it to be mold and get black, your wall would have to be pretty wet. I'm thinking that your landlord is correct. This is why they have smokeless indoor lanterns now. If you have the smoke, the smoke will deposit as soot on your walls or ceiling. It won't happen quite as much if you have candle further away from the wall or ceiling, but it will still happen. In many of the historic churches that have old wall murals, the murals had to be specially cleaned to remove all the soot from the candles burning in the churches before electricity was used. If it's soot, get a wrag and a little bit of cleaner and most of it should wipe right off. If it's mold, which I doubt it is, you have a much bigger problem on your hands. If you can find a candle that doesn't produce smoke, you shouldn't have to worry about the black soot on the walls, the bee's wax candles that one person mentioned should work good. Also make sure not to put your candle to close to anything above it, like the ceiling or something else. The heat could discolor it or even start a fire. I've seen it happen to many people, especially where there is cabinets above the candle or on a second floor in rooms that have the slanted ceilings.
2006-07-25 23:33:40 · answer #2 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you burn candles, the walls will turn black from the smoke. Washing the walls will not remove the 'smoke damage" and painting is the only option to remove all traces of it.
To prevent more smoke damage in the future, buy a "wax tart burner". It's electric and uses a low wattage light bulb to warm up the wax which releases the scent. The tart burners can be found in gift shops, department stores and on line sites such as eBay. Or, since Christmas isn't too far off, put one of those on your list of "must haves".
Tart burners will not set your apartment or house on fire like a lit candle, will not "smoke", and the scent will last longer than a traditional candle. Some scented candles have wicks that are made with lead (yes, lead) and you know that can't be healthy!
2006-07-25 23:37:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you do burn alot of candles, then yes, it can be that. The wick produces this residue that can stick to your walls. Take a sponge or washcloth and some mild cleaner and wipe down your walls. It would be the same if you were a smoker and smoked in your home.
2006-07-25 23:23:38 · answer #4 · answered by Stephanie J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thesmoke from the candles leaves ablack resin on the walls if used in the same spot often enuff or used too close to the wall.It can usually be cleaned right up with a little cleanser and warm water if done soon enough.I'd take care of it or he/she can charge you for it.
2006-07-25 23:23:27 · answer #5 · answered by Direktor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The heat or excessive warmth in the space will cause humidity to accumulate on the walls, and while this is happening it attracts the dust particles and sticks to the walls making it dark or black in other words..
Even worse, if you cook in this space, the fumes of your cooking (even if you don't think there are fumes) are usually somewhat greasy and together with the dust will make the walls darker or black.
2006-07-25 23:24:51 · answer #6 · answered by gihan_rashad 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be from candles. before relighting your candles cut the wick to about a quarter of an inch, this makes the candles burn the wax and not the wick creating a black soot to float around the room.
2006-07-25 23:23:15 · answer #7 · answered by tomcat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might want to check for mold or mildew. Try washing your walls with bleach. I can't see how burning a candle would make your walls black.
2006-07-25 23:28:02 · answer #8 · answered by hollyltstarfleet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your landlord is right on some people buy those cheap candles that dont burn properly and give off loads of soot they should be burning soy wax candles that virtually very low soot , anything that burns gives off soot but soy is the lowest and safest
2006-07-26 05:26:52 · answer #9 · answered by diggin_thedirt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you burn candles, then its from the soot.
Use candles only made from beeswax, as they dont produce soot. (Anything else will).
If you "dont" burn candles, then it could be a type of mold growing and you need to GET OUT OF THERE FAST!!!
It will be bad for your health and lungs, if your exposed to it, and cause all kinds of health problems.
I wish you well..
Jesse
2006-07-25 23:22:20 · answer #10 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋