Mould in your home is a serious problem; not only does it look unsightly, but it can also be harmful to your family’s health. Councils and housing associations are on high alert now, because the issue has been in the news again for tragic reasons. Killing of the mould isn’t that difficult, it’s just a question of using the right products, and following the right process.
As a professional decorator, I’ve had to deal with the issue of treating/killing mould many times. If I’m working in a room where there is mould present, I always like to deal with it very early on in the job, as part of the prep, long before a paintbrush goes anywhere near that part of the room.
If you don’t deal with it thoroughly before you paint, it will simply come back, the stains from the old mould will bleed through your paint and you will be back to “square one” before you know it.
In this blog I’m not going to go into too much detail on the full process for treating, stain-blocking and painting over mould; that is covered in detail in a separate blog which you can read here (How to Get Rid of Mould on Walls Permanently – Decorator’s forum UK).
The purpose of this blog is to look at the first stage of the process – treating/killing the mould – and what the best mould remover products to help you achieve that, before you start decorating your room. We’ll look at some of the alternative treatments that people use to kill mould and give you our recommendation for what works best and why. Feel free to skip ahead and just pick out the information you need.
What is Mould, and Why is it a Problem?
Mould is a type of fungus, so it thrives in conditions that other types of fungus would like; warm, damp, pH-neutral air. Rooms where there is a lot of moisture (bathrooms, kitchens) and/or poor air circulation can provide ideal living spaces for mould to thrive in.
Once mould gets established, its spores spread, and what starts as a small patch in the corner of one room can soon spread round to nearby areas, and even from the walls and ceilings onto soft furnishings like curtains, sofas and bedding.
Not only is it unsightly, but it can also cause staining to the surface it settles on. Worse, it can have a serious impact on your health, particularly if you suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems, or allergies. Therefore, the sooner it is tackled properly, the better.
Prevention is Better than Cure
The best way to get rid of mould permanently is to remove the conditions that it likes to live in. Installing good quality powerful extractors in bathrooms can make a massive difference. In other rooms, leaving doors and windows open whenever possible, to allow air to circulate, can stop mould appearing in places like behind sofas, where air often “stagnates”. There are loads of antimould paints on the market that can also help.
What do People Use to Kill/Remove Mould?
People use all sorts of so-called solutions to get rid of mould. We’ll look at some and discuss how effective they are:
Bleach
This is probably one of the most commonly used ways of treating mould. The problem is that it appears to work well, but isn’t as effective as you might think.
Bleach “bleaches” the mould, making it less visible, and will probably have some effect on mould on the surface, but it’s not very effective at penetrating porous surfaces to kill mould spores deeper within plaster or wood, for example.
Additionally, bleach can cause skin and respiratory irritation, and mixing it (even accidentally) with other chemicals can produce harmful gases. For these reasons, regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency do not recommend bleach for the treatment of mould.
Baking soda
This is a more natural solution, and therefore potentially less harmful to humans and pets. You can mix it with water to form a paste, and spread this over the mould. Leave for half an hour, and then scrub the area, rinsing clean with water.
It is quite effective at killing the mould on the surface, and because it is very alkaline and absorbs moisture, it makes the environment less attractive for mould to return in the short term. However, it isn’t that effective at penetrating into porous surfaces, so some spores will probably remain beneath the surface of wood or plaster, and it is generally felt to be ok for small patches of mould, but not powerful enough to deal with a bigger problem.
Vinegar
Like baking soda, vinegar is a harmless natural solution. It is highly acidic, so creates an environment that the mould is unlikely to return to. You need to mix up a solution of 50% white vinegar to 50% water in a spray bottle, spray it over the mould, and leave it to take effect overnight.
You can then simply wipe the area clean with a damp cloth. To keep the area mould-free, you will need to keep the acidity level up by spraying regularly with the vinegar solution. Again, probably best for smaller areas.
Specialist mould remover/killer treatments
These are effective, work quickly, and come with full, scientifically researched instructions. That’s important to me when I’m working in someone’s house; I want to know that the product is going to work, that it is safe to paint over, how quickly I can paint over it, etc etc.
They may be harsher and less environmentally friendly than some of the more natural remedies, but I need the reassurance that they will work (I read somewhere that vinegar, for example, has only been proven to work on 82% of mould species). I also want to feel confident that what I use won’t discolour or damage my customer’s property, so a bit of scientific research is a big reassurance.
Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover
For me, this product ticks a lot of boxes and is by far the best mould remover on the market. First, it’s highly effective (it’s never let me down). It’s also simple to use – simply clean the area first, then spray this on and leave it to dry.
You’re then good to go in terms of painting over it with a stain block (to prevent the mould stain from bleeding through) and then your topcoats (ideally a mould-inhibiting paint).
Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover can be used safely on surfaces like tiles, wood and plaster, and even wallpaper. Obviously, it’s a powerful chemical, so read the safety instructions first and make sure you cover up with PPE to avoid breathing it in or splashing any into your eyes or onto your skin. Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation while you’re working with it, and if in any doubt, try on a small inconspicuous area first.
FAQs
What is the best cleaner for mould removal?
Mould remover and mould cleaners are slightly different products. A mould remover is applied to mould and left to dry to kill the spores. A cleaner just removes the black stains. We use Zinsser Mould Killer and Remover as a treatment and Zinsser Cleaner and Degreaser to clean the affected area.
Is bleach or vinegar better for mould?
Opt for vinegar over bleach for a natural remedy to mould.
What is the best black mould remover in the UK?
Use a specialist mould treatment like Zinsser Mould Killer. You simply spray it on and allow to dry.
Why shouldn’t you use bleach on mould?
Bleach doesn’t penetrate a porous surface, so although it can kill surface mould, it doesn’t kill all the fungus. This means it soon grows back.
Can I remove mould myself?
You will have no problem removing mould yourself. Just use a specialist product, ventilate the room, and wear PPE like a mask and gloves.
Final Thoughts
It is perfectly possible, with just a few simple steps, to get rid of mould, but it’s important to follow the process and not omit any of the stages, or the problem is likely to return.
Using an effective mould killer/remover is arguably the most important part of the process. There are a lot of “home remedies” to be found on the internet – some are more effective than others.
Personally, I like to use something which has been properly tested and scientifically developed; I want to feel confident when in a customer’s house that the products I use are both safe and effective. And for those simple reasons, I use Zinsser Mould Killer & Remover.
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