How to remove mould from walls

Mould, it looks unpleasant and quite often smells unpleasant too. Mould on interior walls can be bad for your health if not properly treated, it can also indicate a wider issue in your home or workplace that you should investigate.

This handy guide will help you to identify a mould issue, know what causes mould, how to treat it & how to prevent it from returning.

Is it mould or mildew?

What causes mould on walls and ceilings?

How do I get rid of damp and condensation?

How do I get rid of the mould?

Removing mould from painted plaster walls

How do I prevent it from coming back?

Identifying the differences between mould & mildew can be tricky as they can look similar, however they must be treated differently.

Mildew is easier to remove and usually only caused by a build up from condensation, all you need is a scrubbing brush and a store-bought cleaner to remove the mildew from your walls and/or ceiling.

Mould is more serious and is a result of a larger fungi infection, it has a black and/or green appearance and looks slimy in comparison to mildew. If left untreated mould can release toxins into the air within your home and can cause health implications as a result. Continue reading to find out how to remove mould permanently.

Rooms that are damp or moisture filled are moulds best friend and are a breeding ground for the spores to take a hold on your walls & ceilings. Condensation & steam caused my long hot showers are a major cause for creating this type of environment, especially if your bathroom isn’t well ventilated with a good extractor fan or windows that can be opened to help dissipate the moisture build up.

Other rooms such as kitchens can also be a problem area, moisture from cooking such as boiling water or the steam from a kettle can quickly build up in the air. If this moisture has nowhere to go, it will settle on cold surfaces such as walls making them damp, creating the perfect conditions mould & black mould love!

A frequently overlooked cause of damp in our homes is drying laundry indoors. The water evaporating from the clothes whilst they dry needs to go somewhere. But with all the windows closed, during winter for example, it can lead to a build-up in the air causing condensation on the walls & ceilings, which before you know it turns into a mould issue.

Moisture from rain can build up on the outside of walls, which can cause damp and lead to mould internally. In these instances, you may require a few DIY skills or a tradesperson to assist in fixing the issue. Common external sources of damp are often caused by leaks from guttering & downpipes, roof tiles, plumbing complications, however there are many other potential causes.

Preventing damp & condensation can be achieved by implementing a few simple changes:

• Open windows or put on the bathroom extraction fan when showering or bathing.
• Put lids on saucepans and use the extraction fan when cooking.
• Regularly ventilate your home and leave doors open to let air circulate – Opening your windows for 15 minutes each morning is a good way to start.

  If it’s not obvious where the damp is coming from – for example if it’s caused by an external source - you may need to seek expert help in getting to the root cause. The chances of black mould growing in your home or workplace is slim if you can reduce the moisture in your home.

  

  How do I get rid of the mould?

  You should only remove mould if it’s caused by damp and condensation. If the mould is caused by sewage or contaminated water – its safest to call in a professional.

  Before you get started you will need:

  • 1. To wear goggles, long rubber gloves and a face mask that covers your nose and mouth to protect you from the mould spores.
  • 2. We’d recommend opening the windows for added ventilation but keep the doors shut to avoid spores spreading into other areas.

    How to remove mould from walls:

    • Fill a bucket with water and a mild detergent like washing up liquid or use a dedicated wet wipe to make quick work of it.
    • Dip a cloth in the water/ detergent mix and wipe the mould off the wall. Don’t brush it as this can release mould spores.
    • Once you’ve removed the mould and the area is clean, use a dry rag to remove the rest of the moisture.
    • Throw away the cloth and vacuum the room to make sure you’ve removed all the spores.

      If you have mould on soft furnishings like clothing or soft toys, they should be shampooed or professionally dry cleaned.

      You can use this same process to clean mould off wallpaper as well as painted surfaces. If you’re removing it off wallpaper, don’t use too much water or the surface will bubble. Remember to dispose of your used wipes and gloves correctly to prevent mould spores from spreading. We recommend using an easy dispense waste bag and tying off the top.

      Removing mould from painted plaster walls

      The method above will work for mould on painted plaster walls. However, it’s important to pay attention to the preparation of the surface as the mould can cause the painted plaster to flake.

      Plasterboard walls

      It’s a common myth that bleach removes mould from plasterboard. This will only remove mould from the surface because plasterboard is constructed of layers and active mould will grow throughout the plasterboard, so unfortunately, the only way to get rid of mould for good is to replace the plasterboard.

      How do I prevent it from coming back?

      The key to stopping mould from coming back is to fix the reason that caused it to grow in the first place. This is almost always poor ventilation – causing damp and condensation.

      Remember:

      • Open windows or put on the bathroom extraction fan when showering or bathing.
      • Put lids on saucepans and use the extraction fan when cooking
      • Regularly ventilate your home and leave doors open to let air circulate – Opening your windows for 15 minutes each morning is a good way to start.
      • Try to dry clothes outside whenever possible, if not possible due to weather or other constraints then dry them with ample ventilation around them and put on the extractor fan if in the kitchen or bathroom. It is recommended that you do not dry clothes in bedrooms.

        

        The proper prevention of mould returning relies on the adequate treatment of the occurrence first, it’s important to make sure the mould is thoroughly removed and killed. Then you can protect your walls or ceilings (which is especially important in the bathroom or kitchen) with anti-mould paint which can be easily and quickly bought on sites like Amazon.

        What can you do if you have a question that’s not listed here?

        If you have a question about our products that you can’t find an answer to, you can always contact us at sales@hcinnovations.co.uk or call us on 01738 629839. Our friendly team can answer any questions you may have, and they will get back to you as soon as possible.