Simple ways to remove black mould

Black mould is a nasty issue no homeowner wants to face.  It is an unsightly effect of condensation and damp, and it can also contribute to allergy and asthma problems.  If the problem arises you want a fast and effective solution to eradicate all traces of the mould. But what is the best way to remove black mould?

There are many tried and tested mould removal remedies that can use home cleaning products. The four most effective mould removal treatments are.

• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Bleach
• Mould removal sprays

Four Ways to Kill Black Mould

1. Baking soda

Baking soda has been used as cure for black mould outbreaks for generations, and many people still swear by it. Baking soda has a pH of around 8-8.1, too high for mould to thrive, meaning it serves as a natural disinfectant. Baking soda can be used to treat mould as follows:

• Add a ¼ teaspoon baking soda to 2 cups of water.
• Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
• Spray the mouldy area and scrub it with a brush.
• Rinse the area.
• Treat the area again with the baking soda solution to prevent mould from returning.

The advantage of using baking soda is its mildness and the fact that it contains no harmful chemicals. This means that there is no risk of the treatment damaging your property. In addition to treating the mould, baking soda also kills off unpleasant odours and absorbs moisture, so, in theory at least, the problem should not return.

Baking soda can be effective for minor outbreaks but is nowhere near as potent as bleach or other commercial chemical products. For serious outbreaks of black mould, you will need to consider something more potent.

2.  Vinegar

There is scientific evidence that vinegar can be an effective treatment for mould.  With a pH of around 2.5, vinegar is acidic and will attack the structure of the mould, breaking it down and eventually killing it.

Vinegar can either be sprayed directly onto the affected area, or onto a rag before being applied to the mould.  After about 15 minutes, the process should be repeated before the area is wiped clean with a damp cloth.

As with Baking Soda, the advantage of vinegar is that it is non-toxic and perfectly safe to use in the home. There is a downside that vinegar can leave a slight (if temporary) odour and like baking soda it is only effective on mild outbreaks.

3. Bleach

The chlorine in bleach is highly effective in attacking the proteins that make up mould spores and will kill them along with other microbes. Bleach is a highly effective means of getting rid of unsightly mould outbreaks and removing surrounding stains.

Cleaning with bleach requires you to wear rubber gloves and a face guard as the mould and fumes from the bleach can be bad for you.  Mix one-part bleach with four parts water and then use a damp cloth to scrub gently until the mould is gone. Once finished, dry the area well with a soft cloth.

Bleach has some major drawbacks. For starters, it gives off dangerous, toxic fumes, so should be used with extreme caution. It should never be mixed with ammonia, and children and pets should be kept away during any treatment. As well as being hazardous, bleach only works effectively on solid surfaces – it will not work well on wood or plaster unless it is used in combination with specialist detergents.

4. Specialist sprays and cleaners

For serious outbreaks of mould, you will need to use a specialist treatment.  Most DIY stores will have a range of products available including popular treatments such as HG Mould Remover Spray.  These types of chemical are more potent than normal household products, so caution is advised when using any specialist treatment.

EnviroVent also provides a mould removal treatment that is manufactured using safer chemicals than most other anti-mould products and is highly effective at preventing future mould growth. Designed by microbiologists, the mould removal treatment, Mould Guard Plus kills microbes within minutes by permeating into the walls of a building, preventing mould problems from returning for up to 90 days which gives the homeowner sufficient time to source a permanent solution.

Formulated from a unique combination of proven biocides and antimicrobial technology, Mould Guard Plus is completely safe to use. It therefore requires no protective clothing and has minimal handling issues. It is environmentally friendly, odourless, and fully biodegradable to EU standards.

There are milder choices including supermarket cleaning products such as Dettol which will remove the mould along with unsightly stains, but as with all treatment options, these will only remove the mould problem that you currently have and unless a preventative measure is put in place the mould is likely to return after a period of time.

If you have persistent black mould in some rooms of your home, speaking to one of our local experts to arrange a free survey will help get to the root cause of your mould problem and prevent it from recurring.