Five key mistakes to avoid when getting rid of mould – including why you shouldn’t use bleach
IF you’ve noticed black patches appearing on your ceilings or walls, you may be desperate to do all you can to eradicate the mould.
You might think it will be less of an issue during the summer months when the weather is warmer, but the truth is, it can thrive in your home all-year round.
Mould and mildew are caused when there is a high level of moisture in the air in your home.
If there’s any damp in your property, you could be prone.
Mould is something you can’t afford to ignore, as it can cause a host of health conditions, including respiratory issues and rashes.
But getting rid of it can be tricky.
Brett Knowles of BK Plumbing has been a verified Checkatrade member for three years.
He told The Sun: “When trying to eradicate it, there’s some key things you need to avoid, such as bleach.
Tackling the problem is all about taking preventative measures to reduce the risk of it growing in the first place, and also knowing which ‘fixes’ are long-lasting.
The good news is, dealing with mould doesn’t need to cost the earth.”
We asked Brett to share his top tips on the worst things you can do when trying to get rid of this household problem – and what you need to do to deal with it properly.
Here are five key mistakes to avoid.
1. Leaving mould
Doing nothing is not an option, according to Brett.
“Not dealing with mould straight away is never a good idea,” said the plumbing supremo.
“Not only is it unsightly, it also grows rapidly and releases spores into the environment.
“The more of this fungi in your home, the more spores are released.”
This can cause serious damage to your home, as well as your health.
Brett added: “As soon as you see mould appearing, address it straight away.”
2. Using bleach
Don’t be fooled into thinking bleach is the answer.
Brett said: “This is only a temporary fix as it cleans the surface, but doesn’t kill the spores that cause mould.”
Steering clear of bleach is especially important if you’re trying to remove mould from silicone.
“It’s likely this will cause the sealant to peel away from the area you’re trying to clean,” he said.
“Eventually, this could lead to a leak through the area that’s peeling off. This will only cause further damage.”
While you could invest in a product designed to tackle this job, such as the Cillit Bang power cleaner black mould remover (750ml) priced at £4.75 at Sainsbury’s, there is a cheaper alternative.
“Vinegar is a natural method,” said Brett.
“It is effective at killing mould spores, as well as black mould. You will need two parts undiluted white vinegar and bicarbonate soda, and one part water.”
On Amazon, you can buy a five-litre bottle of white vinegar for around £6.
At Asda, you can pick up a 200g pack of bicarbonate of soda for 75p.
3. Painting over the problem
You might be tempted to dig out a brush and tin of paint, and try to conceal the problem.
“But this will not make the issue disappear,” warned Brett. “The mould spores will simply re-grow over the paint.”
Instead, he recommends treating the wall using the baking soda and vinegar mix mentioned above.
He added: “Once the surface is clean, you can apply mould-resistant paint.”
Head to Wickes where a 2.5l pot of mould protect emulsion paint will cost £25.
4. Not taking the right precautions in the first place
A lot of issues associated with mould can easily be prevented by removing the conditions in which it thrives, according to Brett.
“Mould grows best in a damp and humid environment, or where there is excessive moisture,” said the plumbing whizz.
“There are plenty of steps you can take to eliminate its natural environment.”
Some of these won’t cost you a penny.
“Get into good habits, such as opening windows after having a bath or shower, as good ventilation is key.
Also use an extractor fan when cooking, and remember to check it is clean and working efficiently.”
Another simple tip is to avoid drying clothes inside and to hang items outside if you have the option to do so.
Brett said a dehumidifier can also help.
Using one of these devices for six hours per day costs around 8p, according to Uswitch.
This might not sound too bad, but as electric models can be costly to purchase, it might be worth trying an interior dehumidifier first
There are loads of options for less than £20 on Amazon, including a pack of 10 Ansio dehumidifiers (500ml) for under £14.
5. Failing to call in the experts when needed
Depending on the severity of the mould problem, you may not be able to deal with it yourself, warned Brett.
He said: “In some cases, you may need to get an expert in to remove it.”
Data from Checkatrade shows that searches for tradespeople to help with “mould control” have surged a huge 107% year-on-year.
“Crucially, you should never deal with a colony of toxic mould yourself,” said the plumbing aficionado.
“Touching or moving this sort of mould can cause dangerous spores to be released. You need to call in the professionals.”
You could expect to pay an expert around £17.50 an hour for mould removal, according to Checkatrade.
On a “per job” basis, you could potentially end up with a bill for more than £1,000 to clear a bathroom.
With household budgets under pressure, this should serve as a timely reminder to take all the steps you can to prevent mould from forming in the first place.