mould (Image: Getty)
Mould is one of those household problems that seems to appear overnight — especially in winter when condensation and dampness take hold. Whether it’s creeping across bathroom paint or showing up on bedroom walls, once mould starts to spread, it can be tricky to get rid of.
To find out the most effective ways to remove and prevent mould on walls for good, we asked seven cleaning and home maintenance experts for their professional advice. While their methods varied slightly, they all agreed on one crucial thing: you have to fix the source of dampness and improve ventilation, or the mould will always come back.
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White vinegar
For several experts, white vinegar was the go-to solution for removing mould safely and naturally.
Laura Harnett, founder of eco cleaning brand Seep, said: “The best thing to remove mould is white vinegar as it also kills the mould spores and prevents it from coming back. A lot of people use bleach but this is a harsh chemical and will only remove the surface mould.”
Jimmy Englezos, DIY expert and senior brand manager at Ronseal, agreed that white vinegar can be very effective. “To remove mould, mix a solution of one part vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray on the affected areas and leave for an hour. After this, wipe away the vinegar residue using a damp cloth.”
Chris Houghton, home expert at HomeServe, also backed natural methods: “For a more natural alternative, white vinegar or a baking soda solution with water can work just as well.”
Some experts recommend using a specialist mould spray (Image: Getty)
Mould sprays
Olivia Young, cleaning expert and product development scientist at Astonish, recommended using a mould spray and tackling it early: “If you spot mould, tackle it as soon as you see it using a specialist Mould and Mildew Blaster. Wear gloves, spray the affected area and leave it for a few minutes before wiping clean.”
Dave Sayce, co-founder and managing director of Compare My Move, agreed: “On harder surfaces, use an anti-mould spray designed to kill both the staining and the spores so the mould doesn’t return.”
Zac Hemming, CEO of ICE Cleaning, recommends using a specialist mould remover rather than standard household bleach. “Specialist products are formulated to penetrate porous surfaces and eradicate mould spores at their root, not just on the surface, which will prevent them from coming back,” he said.
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Bleach
While some experts preferred vinegar, others said bleach can be useful for bathrooms and tiles where lots of mould builds up.
Colm Lalor, commercial director at nuie, said: “To remove mould from walls and surfaces without tiles, create a simple solution using one-part bleach to four-parts of water, and gently scrub using a damp cloth until the mould is gone, then dry the area well.”
Jimmy (Ronseal) added that “like white vinegar, a solution can be created using household bleach”. He suggests mixing one part bleach and four parts water before using a cloth to wipe the solution across the wall. “Be aware bleach can change the colour of walls, resulting in patches and light drip marks,” he warned.
Ventilation
Prevention was another universal theme — every expert stressed the need to keep homes warm, ventilated, and dry to stop mould taking hold again.
Olivia (Astonish) noted that proper airflow can stop mould from forming in the first place: “Without proper ventilation, this moisture lingers and encourages mould to grow. Treating it early stops it from spreading and helps protect both your home and your health.”
Meanwhile, Zac (ICE Cleaning) says “prevention is critical”. You should improve ventilation, repair leaks promptly, and consider periodic air quality checks.
Chris (HomeServe) shared similar advice: “To stop the mould from growing back, you need to keep your home well-ventilated by opening windows or using extractor fans when cooking or showering, make sure to fix any leaks, and wipe the condensation off of windows and walls.”
Sarah Dempsey, cleaning expert at MyJobQuote, said that opening your windows after a shower can help. “To prevent moisture from condensing on cold surfaces and allowing mould to grow, keep your heating on at a low level to raise the background temperature,” she added.