How to Get Rid of Mould in the Bathroom

If not dealt with, mould can become a big problem in your bathroom, and it won’t go away on its own. Being a wet, warm room in your home, this is the perfect place for mould to grow and thrive - if left untreated, it not only looks bad, but can also lead to health problems like respiratory issues. You’ve probably got products in your home that can be used to remove mould on walls and ceilings, and if not, there are specialist mould removers that can deliver great results. Keep reading to find out how to get rid of mould in the bathroom for good.

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Mould is a fungus caused by excess moisture, thriving in warm, damp spots like bathroom seals, ceilings, and towel areas, often due to poor ventilation or condensation.
Effective mould-removal methods include bleach (strong but toxic, requires ventilation), commercial mould removers (less harsh), and white vinegar (natural option for smaller spots). Large or hidden infestations should be handled by professionals.
To prevent mould from returning in your bathroom, keep the space dry and ventilated, wash and dry towels regularly, clean surfaces often, use anti-condensation paint, and remove standing water.

What is mould?

Mould is a fungus caused by excess moisture in the air, making it particularly prevalent in bathrooms and by windows. It can come as a result of plumbing or structural issues in your home, or it can signify ventilation problems that allow condensation to build up, resulting in water sitting in one spot. Activities like showering, cooking, ironing and hanging clothes out to dry indoors can cause this problem.

Where is mould most likely to grow?

Your bathroom is the perfect breeding ground for mould as it’s warm and damp. Most commonly, you’ll find it on surfaces where water tends to sit for a while, such as on the silicone seal where your bath or shower tray meet the wall, or near where you hang your towels to dry. Mould can also grow on bathroom ceilings as the steam rises up and settles at the top.

How to get rid of mould

There are a few different ways to combat and kill mould in your bathroom, from products formulated specifically to break down mould to simple home remedies.

Bleach is something you probably already have in your home, and it just happens to be a really good mould killer. When using bleach, make sure the room is well ventilated by turning the extractor fan on and opening the windows as the toxic fumes will need to escape. You should also wear gloves and goggles when dealing with bleach, especially if using it on the ceiling as it can drip down.

To remove mould from your shower tray with bleach, do the following:

Lay toilet roll along the sides of the shower tray or top of the bath where it meets the wall.
Pour bleach onto the wall so it drips down onto the tissue.
Leave the tissue for a few hours to absorb the bleach. This allows it to remain in contact with the mould.
When you remove the tissue, the mould should be gone.
For particularly stubborn mould, repeat this process.

To remove mould from the walls, do the following:

Mix water and bleach in a 4:1 ratio and pour it into a spray bottle.
Spray this mix onto the mould on the wall and leave it to sit.
After a few minutes, wipe it away with a wet sponge or damp cloth.
Repeat if any mould remains.

Mould remover

There are loads of mould removers available, and these are often less harmful and less toxic than bleach. They’ll usually have usage instructions on the packaging, but if in doubt, spray onto the affected area, leave to sit for around 15 minutes, and wipe away any residue afterwards.

Many mould removers are gentle enough to remove mould from painted walls without removing any of the paintwork. You can apply a mould remover suitable for painted surfaces as directed by the packaging’s instructions, but always avoid harsh scrubbing and ventilate the room once you’re finished. If you don’t have a mould remover to hand, try mixing mild detergent with warm water - but it’s important to note that this might only be a temporary fix.

Being acidic, white vinegar is an effective mould treatment option, and it has the advantage of being a natural and non-toxic cleaning solution. To use:

Create a 1:1 solution with warm water and spray it onto the mould, leaving it to sit for about an hour.
When you return, wipe away any residue with a clean cloth and leave to dry.

While vinegar is a great option for smaller mould spots that just need a quick clean, deeper outbreaks and black mould will require stronger cleaner like bleach or a specialist mould remover.

When should I call in a mould specialist?

In some cases, it’s a good idea to call in the professionals. Generally, if a patch of mould is larger than 10 square feet, a specialist with the right tools and experience will be better equipped for such a large job. You’ll also want to get the pros in if you can smell mould but can’t see it, as this means it’s probably hidden behind your walls, floor, or fixings and will be more labour-intensive. And if you have any respiratory issues, you shouldn’t try to tackle mould yourself.

How to prevent mould

Once you’ve successfully removed any mould, you’ll want to put measures in place and start forming habits to stop it from growing again. Here are some simple ways to prevent it from coming back in the future.

Open windows and keep your extractor fan on for at least 30 minutes after a bath or shower to let the moisture escape.

Wash your bathmats and towels often, hanging them up to dry in well-ventilated areas.

Clean and dry your bathroom frequently.

Use gloss paint or an anti-mould paint or anti-mould additive.

If you have a shower curtain, stretch it out to its full length so it dries properly.

Use a squeegee to wipe excess water from shower walls and doors.

Effective methods for removing black mould in bathroom grout

Your bathroom has the perfect conditions for mould to grow – it’s warm, damp, and often not very well ventilated. Preventative measures like anti-condensation paint and a good extractor fan can help to keep mould at bay, but if you do start to see some spores pop up, there are a few ways to get rid of mould in the bathroom.

For smaller outbreaks, vinegar and other mould cleaners can clear up the problem, but for larger outbreaks, specialised mould remover and bleach will give you the best results. If mould on bathroom silicone has taken over, it’s probably a good idea to reseal your bath or shower. This is easier than you think, especially when you check out our handy how to reseal a shower and bath guide.

FAQs

Mould is a fungus type that grows in damp, poorly ventilated spaces. It gets through tiny airborne spores and thrives in high-moisture environments.

You shouldn’t paint over mould as it’ll just continue to grow underneath the new paint. Before repainting a wall, you’ll need to remove and kill the mould, so it doesn’t grow back. It’s also a good idea to use mould-resistant paint in areas that have been susceptible to mould in the past.

Mould will not go away even if it dries out; it’ll just become dormant. This means it could grow back if it gets exposed to any moisture.

You can tackle black mould the same way you would any type of mould, using diluted bleach, mould remover, ventilating the room, reducing humidity and fixing any source of damp.

Yes, bleach is effective in killing mould on surfaces like glass and tiles, but it might not be as effective for porous materials like wood and plaster as it can’t reach the root of the cause.

Yes, black mould is dangerous as it can irritate the skin and eyes, cause respiratory problems, headaches and allergies.

Yes, it’s possible for mould to spread throughout the home as it releases tiny spores into the air which grow in moisture-prone locations.

To distinguish whether the mould is superficial or a deeper issue, inspect its appearance and whether it returns. Superficial mould will only sit on the surface, wipes away easily and doesn’t return fast. On the other hand, deeper mould returns quickly, spreads behind grout or paint, is potent, and is commonly linked to leaks or dampness.

Hydrogen peroxide is especially good for killing mould on porous surfaces where bleach cannot penetrate as well.