This invention relates to the use of eugenol and/or eugenol derivatives for inhibiting the asexual propagation of fungi. This invention also relates to filter media, adhesives, building materials, building auxiliaries, textiles, pelts, paper, skins or leather, laundry detergents, cleaning compositions, rinse agents, hand washing preparations, manual dishwashing detergents, machine dishwashing detergents and preparations for finishing building materials, building auxiliaries, textiles, pelts, paper, skins or leather that contain eugenol and/or eugenol derivatives and to preparations for treating building materials, building auxiliaries, textiles, pelts, paper, skins or leather that contain eugenol and/or eugenol derivatives.