If you’ve got mould in your home, you’re not alone. According to a University of Melbourne project, up to a quarter of Australian households have damp and mould in their homes. But the sooner you spot the problem, the easier it will be to fix and the less potential damage it can cause.
And when it comes to mould on walls, there’s a chance it could go beneath the surface if it’s left too long. So, here’s what you need to know to deal with it and stop it coming back.
How to remove mould from walls permanently
Lucinda Curran is an Indoor Environmental Health Consultant. She previously told BHG that killing mould isn’t enough – you must remove it.
“The presence of mould, dead or alive, can be problematic for someone sensitive to it,” she says.
“Like with hay fever – the presence of the pollen triggers a response. It doesn’t matter whether or not the flowers are in a vase or growing.
“This is where removing mould is essential. Microfibre cloths are ideal for this, as well as the use of a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter.”
Step-by-step instructions: how to clean mould off walls
Lucinda shares the best way to remove mould.
What you’ll need:
- Dishwashing detergent
- Two microfibre cloths – microfibre cloths are designed to pick things up off a surface, unlike regular cloths, which smear them around
- Thyme or oregano essential oils (optional)
- Water
Instructions:
- Cut your microfibre cloths into squares.
- To clean the surface, mix up dishwashing detergent with warm water.
- Lucinda recommends adding essential oils, like oregano and thyme, to the soapy water mix to “supercharge the effect”.
- Grab a square of cloth. Dip it into the soapy solution and wipe down the affected surface. After you have used each square on both sides to remove mould, throw it out. This is to avoid cross-contamination, otherwise the mould can spread.
Does vinegar kill mould?
While vinegar can kill mould, the smell can be unpleasant and overpowering for some people. Lucinda prefers a combination of dishwashing detergent and water with a few drops of essential oils such as thyme or oregano.
Clove oil is also a popular choice for killing mould.
What causes mould on walls?
Mould spores are everywhere. Add a water source, such as too much moisture, and it will start to grow. If the mould on your wall is caused by a water leak, you must address that first. And if the growth is quite significant, you should call in an expert to help you remove it.
That said, surface mould on your walls caused by too much moisture can be cleaned in no time.
How to prevent mould from growing in your home
- Open your windows every day, even in winter.
- If you notice condensation on your windows, wipe them down.
- Fix leaks and clean up water spills asap.
- Make use of exhaust fans and extractor fans. After a hot shower, leave the fan for 15 minutes to remove excess moisture.
- Use a dehumidifier with an air purifier that has a true HEPA filter.
Mould prevention and cleaning items you can buy now
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