A guide to mould removal

Cleaning up heavy household mould infestation is often best left to mould removal companies. If you do tackle surface mildew and mould yourself, avoid contact with the mould and caustic cleaning products, by wearing rubber gloves, goggles and a face mask. Furthermore, dispose of any items that were affected by mould to minimise further problems. Below is a guide to house mould and mildew removal.

Bleach it

To remove surface mould from the tile corners in showers and baths, use a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water in a plastic spray bottle. Make sure that the room is well-ventilated - open windows and keep the bathroom door open - before spraying directly onto the mould spots. Wait for 15 minutes, then wipe with a damp sponge.

Blast it

To remove deep-seated mould and keep it from coming back, use a solution of one teaspoon of water softener, one tablespoon of ammonia and one tablespoon of vinegar in 200ml of warm water. Wipe the walls with this mixture, then rinse with fresh water and buff the tiles dry.

Freshen up

To remove mould from walls and to get rid of lingering musty smells, you need to remove the moisture problem itself - ventilate the room and scrub all the walls with a bleach and water solution as outlined above, using a nylon-bristled brush. If necessary, paint walls and ceilings with a paint that contains fungicide.

Preventative measures

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to eliminate mould and fungi completely from your house. A more realistic goal is to control their growth, and the best way to do that is to keep moisture at bay. Even dry rot - despite its name - is moisture-related. Good ventilation and moisture control are the keys to preventing serious problems that could even cause structural damage. Keep bathroom air circulating Good ventilation is essential to bathroom mould removal. After showers and baths, run the extractor fan for about twenty minutes, or long enough to dry out the room. If your bathroom doesn't have a fan, open the window. However, consider having a fan installed, as this is a much more effective solution. Fans are now a requirement in any new bathroom.