How To Get Rid of Black Mould

Black mould affects 1 in 5 households across the UK and is a common problem according to EnviroVent. As well as being unsightly, it’s a difficult thing to remove permanently, with air born spores and damp conditions worsening the problem.

What is black mould?

Black mould is a micro fungus that grows spores in slime heads produced by excess water and damp. So in areas of the house affected by damp, or where there is an excess of water, for example, steam in bathrooms from showers, black mould can multiply very quickly and be difficult to remove.

Is black mould dangerous?

Short answer: yes.

According to NHS UK, damp and mould can increase your chances of breathing difficulties and allergies. It can cause or worsen conditions such as:

• Eczema
• Skin allergies
• Asthma
• Hayfever

For those with pre-existing conditions or reduced immunity, like babies or the elderly, black mould can be bad news.

What causes black mould?

Mould is most commonly the result of condensation and high humidity in the house. Home improvements like double-glazing and insulation reduce natural airflow and ventilation.  As a result, condensation builds up on walls and mould will start to grow.

Once it starts, it can spread rapidly. Removing it is only half of the problem, stopping it from coming back is the difficulty.

How do I get rid black mould?

Prevention is better than cure, and increasing the ventilation in your home will help no end. During the warmer seasons open windows and allow airflow throughout the house.

For the colder weather, try and extractor fan in rooms like the bathroom and kitchen.  For other areas around the home, a small dehumidifier will work wonders.

If you’ve already got black mould, we’ve got you covered. There’s a huge range of products on the market as well as some natural alternatives to rid your home of the dreaded mould:

• Kilrock Mould Spray Cleaner is a powerful product to remove mould from walls and tiles in kitchens, bathrooms and garages.
• Stardrops Mould & Mildew Remover is a budget option, removing mould and helping to prevent its return.
• Dettol Mould & Mildew Remover is ideal for hard surfaces, removing ingrained mould without the needing to scrub.

Many of our #Hinch crowd offer some great hints and tips to get the best out of your chosen cleaner:

1. For mould in your washing machine

With an old toothbrush, scrub areas of mould with a mixture of white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. This will remove any stains and smells. Finally, go back over these areas with Dettol Mould & Mildew Spray.  Simply spray and leave for 3-4 minutes and wipe away with warm water using a Minky. The results are incredible.

2. For mould on the edge of the bath

This also works on affected tiles. Dampen the area with a spray bottle and lay cotton pads along the area to be treated. Then pour on some Domestos Bleach or other bleach-based product onto the cotton pads. These will absorb the bleach and keep it in contact with the affected surface.

Leave for 10+ minutes, depending on the amount of mould. Then wash away with warm water. This should leave your bath edges and tiles sparkling clean.

3. For mould on the ceiling

Combine a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and water in a spray bottle and spray onto the affected area. Leave it for a few minutes, and then use a sponge to wipe the mixture away.

To make sure you’ve killed all the spores, follow with a quick spritz of Stardrops Mould & Mildew and dab the area dry. Easy.

And there you have it, sure-fire ways to get results with the black mould in your home. Do make sure you wear a mask to cover your nose and mouth if you have any breathing conditions, like asthma. And stick on your marigolds just to be safe.