how to remove mould from walls.

Let’s face it, mouldy walls are not a good look.

But did you know mould can also mess with your health, ruin your furniture, and creep through your home if left unchecked? Black mould has been linked to respiratory problems, infections, allergies… and it loves to spread.

And the tricky thing is, just scrubbing away the black stuff won’t fix the issue if you don’t tackle why it’s there in the first place.

so…what’s the BEST way to remove mould from walls?

1. clean it up
2. fix the damp source.

And this 3 step smol guide breaks it all down for you right here.

step 1. find and fix the damp.

Before you get out your gloves take a good look around. Mould is just a symptom of damp. You need to solve the root cause.

Here are the most common culprits:

• Poor ventilation. Encourage air flow in your home by opening windows and moving furniture away from walls to give your room breathing space. And use extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens (which can get full of steam).

• Leaks are often to blame and small ones can go undetected. Check pipes, windows, and roof areas and if you see any drips or moisture build-up, fix them ASAP.

• Condensation is not your friend. Use a dehumidifier in rooms that suffer from damp and don’t dry clothes indoors without introducing some sort of ventilation. 

• Damp walls. If you think your home has this issue - consider insulation and try to ensure the room is well ventilated and heated evenly.

Once you’ve sorted step 1 (or at least got it underway), it’s time to clean.

step 2. cleaning the mould.

Always remember - safety first when it comes to tackling black mould. You should wear:

• gloves
• a mask (to avoid breathing in spores)
• eye protection (if you’re using sprays or bleach)

Keep the room ventilated while you clean (but close the door to stop mould spores drifting elsewhere).

start with a pre-treatment.

For extra stubborn patches, spray with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water and leave it to soak for an hour before scrubbing.

then get cleaning with any of these options:

• Washing-up liquid and warm water does the trick on lighter patches.
• A bleach mix of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water. 
• Vinegar and warm water mixed in equal amounts.

Use a sponge or soft brush and work in small circles. Don’t go too hard though because you don’t want to damage the wall.

rinse and dry.

Once the mould is gone, wipe the area with clean water and dry it thoroughly with a separate cloth or towel. (Still seeing spots? Repeat the process until it’s all gone).

step 3. stop the mould from coming back.

Now that the wall’s clean, let’s keep it that way.

• Ventilation is key. Open windows, use extractor fans, and make airflow a habit.
• Control humidity. Use a dehumidifier and try not to create extra moisture indoors.
• Fix leaks fast and dry windowsills, bathroom surfaces or other moisture hotspots.
• Use mould-resistant paint ongoing.

read more from smol.

How to remove mould from your washing machine door.
Cleaning with bicarbonate of soda.
What to clean with a dishwasher tablet.
How to deep clean your mattress.