DAMP, MOULD & CONDENSATION

Remove black mould from walls and ceilings

Clean mould safely, treat the cause, and redecorate so it doesn't just come back.

AB-01Work out why the mould is thereBlack mould needs damp and poor airflow to grow, so find the source before you touch it. Check for condensation on cold walls, a leaking pipe, blocked airbricks, or weak extraction in bathrooms and kitchens. If you clean it off without fixing the damp, it comes straight back.
AB-02Ventilate the room and protect surfacesOpen windows and doors so air is moving before you start. Move furniture, rugs and curtains away from the affected wall or ceiling. Lay dust sheets down to catch drips and spray.
1 each · Dust sheet
AB-03Check the surface you're dealing withThe method changes depending on what's under the mould. On painted plaster or plasterboard, you can clean and treat directly. On wallpaper, mould often grows behind the paper too — badly affected paper needs stripping, not just wiping. On bare brick or blockwork (garages, cellars, behind furniture), expect to scrub harder over a bigger area. On bathroom sealant around a bath or shower, cut out and replace the silicone rather than cleaning it — mould in silicone rarely lifts fully.
1 each · Wallpaper scraper
AB-04Mix your cleaning solutionDilute household bleach with water, roughly 1 part bleach to 4 parts water, or use a shop-bought mould cleaner. Bleach can lighten coloured paint or fabric, so test a hidden patch first. Never mix bleach with other cleaning products, especially anything containing ammonia.
1 bottle (750ml) · Household bleach
1 each · Spray bottle
AB-05Clean off the mouldWearing gloves and a mask, apply the solution and leave it to work for a few minutes. Wipe or scrub gently from the outside of the patch inward, so you don't spread spores further. Rinse with clean water and dry the area with a fresh cloth.
1 pair · Rubber gloves
4 each · Microfibre cloths
1 each · Soft scrubbing brush
AB-06Treat the surface with a fungicidal washApply fungicidal wash over the whole patch, and a bit beyond it, to kill spores you can't see and stop regrowth. Follow the product's contact time on the label. Let the wall or ceiling dry fully — this can take 24 to 48 hours depending on ventilation.
1 litre · Fungicidal wash
AB-07Redecorate with mould-resistant paintOnce the surface is completely dry, repaint with a mould-resistant or anti-condensation paint. Apply two coats, letting the first dry fully before the second. If you stripped mouldy wallpaper, only rehang new paper once the wall is dry and treated.
1 2.5L tin · Mould-resistant paint
1 each · Roller and tray set
AB-08Tackle the underlying causeMould comes back if damp conditions don't change. Run or fit an extractor fan in bathrooms and kitchens, keep trickle vents clear, and use a dehumidifier in poorly ventilated rooms. If you suspect a leak or rising damp rather than condensation, get that checked — a repaint won't fix a leaking pipe.
1 each · Dehumidifier (optional)
AB-09Clean up and dispose of materialsBag up used cloths, sponges and any stripped wallpaper, tie the bag, and put it in general waste. Wash brushes, buckets and gloves thoroughly. Wipe down any surfaces you used to mix the bleach solution.
1 roll · Bin bags
AB-10Monitor the area over the following weeksCheck the treated patch every few days for the first month. If black mould reappears in the same spot, the underlying damp or ventilation problem hasn't been fixed, and needs proper attention rather than more cleaning.

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