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Mould and mildew in the bathroom, shower or anywhere else in the home are unsightly and health-damaging and simply washing them away with your usual cleaner will result in them coming back. Instead, choose a targeted mould and mildew remover to eliminate the spores and banish the stains. There are plenty of options available, from sprays to foams to brush-on treatments, and this buying guide is here to ensure you pick the best one for your needs.
Our top 10 list of the best mould and mildew removers include everything from products that work on surface mould to others that take hours to tackle deeply stained silicone sealant. Some can even be used safely on painted surfaces. We've included products from popular brands such as Dettol and Astonish, all of which are available to buy from major UK supermarkets and Amazon.
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Table of Contents
Choose a Product Specifically Designed for the Surface You’re Treating
Mould and mildew can grow on any damp and poorly ventilated surface. Thankfully, virtually all removal sprays can be used on white grout, chrome, stainless steel, formica, most plastics and ceramic tiles.
However, many can't be used on painted surfaces, wallpaper, porcelain, fabrics, marble, vinyl, aluminium, copper and brass. Always check the small print on the bottle and conduct a patch test in an inconspicuous area.
Mould-stained silicone requires a specialist product, which is thick enough to remain in situ on the stain to allow it adequate time to penetrate the silicone sealant. Properly tackling stained silicone will require patience and several treatments, one after the other.
Take the effort out of scrubbing with these electric scrubber brushes.
Next, you'll need to decide on the right application method. There are three main types - spray bottles, gels and foams. Below we'll go through the benefits and best uses for each one so that you can choose the right kind of product for your issue.
Once you've cleaned all your mould, you will to need to replace those cleaning sponges!
If you're looking to remove surface stains, bleach will whiten any surface in just 5 minutes and will effectively destroy mould and spores it's in contact with if left for at least 15 minutes. Be sure to wash off the solution afterwards, or else the (now deactivated) bleach becomes a food substrate for any future mould spores landing in the area.
A fungicide, however, is a chemical compound that kills and inhibits the future growth of fungi (mould and mildew included). A fungicide usually works by disrupting specific vital processes within the cell structure of the mould, for example, by binding with and misshaping the enzymes required for reproduction. The results are long-lasting if the treatment has been left to work for the prescribed time.
Some mould and mildew treatments work in minutes by bleaching away surface stains and destroying any mould spores the product has time to come into contact with. These products will need to be used at least weekly to keep the mould and mildew away unless they contain a specified long-lasting fungicide.
Treatments which require hours to work (in some cases, 24 hours if you can keep out of the toxic-smelling room for that long) will penetrate deep into the mould infestation and give you a longer-lasting mould free area. Of course this relies on you improving airflow and decreasing humidity too, to discourage re-growth.
The side effects of inhaling fumes from mould and mildew removers are similar to the worrying side effects suffered by those living with black mould - respiratory issues, coughs, sore throats, itchy eyes, headaches, and nausea. They could also cause more severe damage to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, the very young and the very old.
Choosing low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products might seem like a good idea, but the most effective products actually produce terrible, choke-inducing fumes! As getting rid of the mould properly will dramatically improve household health, many choose to accept the fumes of the removal products and take sensible precautions such as opening windows and wearing masks.
Check out our best cleaning gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemicals.
This Polycell spray prevents mould re-growth with just one application. Due to its highly effective fungicide formula, it is unpleasant to breathe in - causing coughing fits if ventilation isn't adequate during its application.
However, the product works brilliantly if used to prep previously mould-prone surfaces before painting them, as it doesn't bleach away stains. Buy this if you want a one-off solution, after treating the root cause of the mould, before redecorating.
Use the brush (which is neatly covered by the lid) to precisely apply Kilrok gel to grout and silicone joins. This application method prevents surrounding surfaces from being accidentally sprayed, and the brush allows you to target the product deep into grooves and crevices.
This UK-made product needs leaving for at least thirty minutes to begin to work - which is speedy for a product which tackles ingrained silicone mould. Reviewers suggest leaving it for up to 24 hours and reapplying until the mould is completely removed from the silicone.
NATRUTH's gel is designed to be non-drip so that it stays on the exact patch you want to treat. The instructions say to leave it on for 3 - 5 hours, but reviewers suggest 24 hours may be needed (with a couple of re-applications) to get mould-stained silicone seals looking pristine.
Be sure to dry the area you're treating thoroughly before applying the gel, as water will dilute its bleaching action. This product contains a fungicide, so it has a long-lasting effect (as long as the root cause of the mould is tackled too).
Dettol's Mould and Mildew Remover spray smells like a fresh swimming pool, so it doesn't make you choke when using it. Still ventilate the area properly, of course, but this is by far the most pleasant-yet-effective weekly mould-killing spray.
As you'll know from hearing the familiar advert, Dettol products kill 99.99% of bacteria and viruses, including mould spores, so this is a quick way to keep on top of problem areas in the house. Simply spray and leave it to work for 5 minutes (no scrubbing required!), then rinse off, and you are done for the week.
This foam version of HG's Mould Remover allows easier application in hard-to-reach places. The thick foam stays put on walls and ceilings and has less risk of dripping than the liquid spray. Deeply stained silicone won't be bleached clean by this product, but most other surfaces will be - including ones that are painted.
The fumes released once dispensed are strong, so adequate ventilation is required. After half an hour, the product will have deactivated the mould spores and removed the surface staining.
HG's effective Mould Remover Spray can be used on various surfaces, including painted finishes, as it won't cause the paint to flake. Of course, always test it on a small area before applying it all over.
This product needs to be left for 30 minutes to work properly, then it can be removed with water and a sponge or cloth (which you should then dispose of). The fumes released whilst it works are, unfortunately, quite unpleasant, so make sure you open the windows and wear a mask.
This Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover emits eye-watering fumes, so requires excellent ventilation when used. However, it works quickly and effectively on grout, needing only 10 minutes for stain removal and 15 minutes for complete disinfection.
This product should not be used on painted surfaces, though, so stick to tiles and ceramic areas only. The grout mould will be blitzed away, but the silicone mould, if too deeply ingrained, will probably not be removed. This bottle contains enough product for approximately 15 trigger pulls.
This reasonably priced spray-on mould remover from Astonish will banish surface mould for about a week at a time without costing you a fortune. Regular weekly use of this spray will ensure that the mould and mildew don't return as long as you have tackled the original cause of the growth.
The scent has a strong chlorine bleach aroma (it doesn't smell of apples, despite the appearance of the packaging!), so decent ventilation is required. However, this is a vegan-friendly and cruelty-free product.
This bleach-free mould remover from earth-friendly brand Ecozone is more of a general cleaner. If you scrub mould with it, then the mould patch will be reduced, but probably not fully and probably not permanently.
It's a huge bonus to have no unpleasant fumes but if you are looking for full mould removal, then you'll need to treat the mould with a fungicide and bleach-containing product. This gentler product could then be used to clean weekly to try and stop the mould from returning.
Tea tree oil is an excellent mould inhibitor with strong antifungal properties. Once the area has been treated with a fungicide-and-bleach product and rinsed, let it dry and then spritz it with neat tea tree oil.
Decant this oil into a small spray bottle to ensure even coverage, then wipe the spritzed area with a cloth, and the mould will be inhibited for longer. Combine a monthly tea tree treatment with better ventilation, and your black mould problem should be solved long term.
Mould and mildew are both types of fungus. Mildew is white and powdery, whereas mould is usually black, red or pink when growing in the house. Their spores are found just about everywhere, but they won't grow into active mould colonies unless the temperature and humidity levels are high enough.
Yes, mould and mildew growth is a definite health concern. Black mould, in particular, can cause respiratory (breathing) issues, headaches and even depression. It is vital that you remove the mould and make sure that the root cause (a combination of slow-moving, warm and moist air) is tackled.
Always wear thick gloves when using mould and mildew removers. A face mask and good ventilation are essential, too. Open the doors and windows wide and keep everyone away from the room during treatment and while there are any lingering fumes.
Written and researched by Lucy Smith
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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