Remove mould without bleach?

hock79

I have mould growing in my bathroom on the walls and ceiling. Does anyone know any way to remove it without using a bleach product? My walls are painted lilac and the bleach bleaches the paint!

1984ReturnsForReal_2

I would be more worried about why its mouldy.

Is it ventilated?

hock79

It gets very steamy in the bathroom with 2 of us having hot showers in the morning. We have an extractor fan which doesn't seem to do much, and we open the window too but the mould always comes back and needs cleaning every few months. Normally I use the Dettol mould and mildew remover, but I then have to re-paint the lilac wall, and I'm fed up of having to do this!

jamespir

i just used water and soap

1984ReturnsForReal_2

You have to kind of do that when its dry.


Where does the extractor vent into?

It either goes up to your loft or outside though a wall or roof (ie you can see the pipe coming out through the tiles from outside)

hock79

This is the extractor, it's a ceiling light and extractor in one.
http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/greenwood-airvac-affresco-1943-17142
I only had it fitted about 6 months ago, in the hope that it would sort the mould problem but it doesn't seem strong enough to get rid of all the steam quick enough. It goes up into the loft, and out the soffits.

FIK

I use 1 teaspoon of tea tree oil diluted in about a cup of water and sponge the area. It seems to work well. It also smell nice and is less toxic than using chemicals. I kind of discovered this through my cleaner. So had a google for reciepe and found the bellow also. Another good tip is lemon oil in water is great for cleaning natural wood and again it smell great. I think alot of the comercial offerings really stink.

Perhaps a thin layer or tea tree could inhibit the mold? It would safe and make your bathroom smell great. You can get tea trea oil for about £3 -4 for a small bottle I think.



Borax
A teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and a teaspoon of borax mixed with one quart warm water; pour into a spray bottle, soak the affected area for as long as possible; rinse and air dry. More handy borax tips
Eucalyptus oil
One tablespoon of eucalyptus oil, one tablespoon of methylated spirits and two cups of water mixed together and placed in a spray bottle; apply and leave to dry. More eucalyptus oil tips.
Grapefruit (or citrus) seed extract
Mix 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract with 2 cups of water; place in a spray bottle and apply. Leave to dry
Vinegar
1 part vinegar to 4 parts water mix, again sprayed on and left to dry. More vinegar tips.
Baking soda
Pour 1 part vinegar and 1 part warm water into a bowl, then add 2 parts baking soda to make a thick paste. Apply and leave to dry, then scrub off. Repeat if the mold is particularly stubborn. More baking soda tips.
Tea tree oil
1 teaspoon of tea tree oil mixed with 2 cups of water. Place in spray bottle and mix well. Again, don't rinse
Most of the above are safe to use on bathroom tiles and ground; exercise caution with other materials. Regardless, spot test first.

hock79

I've got tea tree at home, does it really work on black mould? Do you just leave it on then, no need to rinse?

1984ReturnsForReal_2

hock79 wrote: »

This is the extractor, it's a ceiling light and extractor in one.
http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/greenwood-airvac-affresco-1943-17142
I only had it fitted about 6 months ago, in the hope that it would sort the mould problem but it doesn't seem strong enough to get rid of all the steam quick enough. It goes up into the loft, and out the soffits.

Check that it is definitely not blocked in the loft

FIK

hock79 wrote: »

I've got tea tree at home, does it really work on black mould? Do you just leave it on then, no need to rinse?

I would leave to soak in for a while then wash off. Also maybe use also mix in lemon juice. The mould should come away easily unless under the surface.