Removing mould

Mistral001

MadelinesMum wrote: »

I saw a thread a while ago about a similar subject and bicarbonate of soda made into a paste with bleach was suggested. I'll try and find the post and bump it x

carrieparkinson wrote: »

i use any toothpaste with bicarb in it..... leave it on for a bit then remove with an old toothbrush

Yes I recently did this and it works a treat. I used diluted bleach sprayed on in and old cleaner spray plastic bottle** (those ones where the bottle costs more than the cleaner fluid inside and cost quite a bit but Ok to buy once for the bottle). I followed this with a paste of bicarbonate of soda brushed in with an old toothbrush. Then washed down with clean water. It actually does not take as long as you think with the toothbrush.

Grout is now spotless.

** I suppose you need to spray fairly close in to the grout and not set it to be like a mist and not have the bleach too strong or else you could inhale some of the spray so do this with care.

OllysMum_2

I use an old toothbrush with some toothpaste whenever I'm using hair dye or conditioner and just do a wee bit every now and again.

(It does mean the easy to reach bits are sparkling, showing up the bits I don't do very often!)

it's the mould around the grey rubber seals and frames of the shower door I find a real pain...

Mistral001

bearcub wrote: »

We have some mould in nearly every room, except our bathroom, this year. It's never been like this before but, with the seemingly constant wet weather for the last 18 months, and being on clay soil, despite ventilating the rooms well, we've still got mould. It's on the walls, on the curtains (they're going to cost, because some of them are dry clean only), and even on a piece of Victorian furniture which was my mother-in-law's. I'm getting really fed up with it now.

You need heat and ventilation. There is really no substitute.

It costs money I know but there are ways of doing it fairly economically by watching the weather. On sunny days make sure that your curtains and blinds are open fully to catch the sun. Despite what many peope say do not draftproof the doors and windows too much. Use your extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom( if you have them) often - they do not cost much to run.

Invest in an electric dehumidifier. However you do need to use dehumidifiers in rooms with at least a moderate temperature. Dehumdification works by moist air condensing on cool metal fins inside the dehumdifier and these fins attract the moisture in the air because they are seen as much colder than the other surfaces on which the moisture can condense. If those other surfaces, ie. the walls furnishings etc inside the room are also cold it will be not so much air moisture attracted to the dehumidifier and the dehumidification will slow down. I have found that 10 dgrees C is a minimum and 15 degrees preferable. I have collected over 4 pints in one room at 15 dergrees in one day but at 5 degrees I got about an eggcupful in the same amount of time.

If you get a sunny winter day and the sun is entering the room I have found that is is a good time to use the dehumidifier and saves on heating costs.

krlyr

Bleach/bicarb combination worked wonders on the mouldy sealant around our windows here. Bleach on its own (tried plain, and some Astonish mould remover after seeing it recommended here) didn't have much effect, but the bleach/bicarb paste got rid of all but the tiniest trace. I left the first lot on overnight but second time around I didn't want to leave it on too long (needing time to ventilate the place before the dogs were allowed back in the room) so maybe 30-40 minutes and it still did the job.

bearcub

Mistral001 wrote: »

You need heat and ventilation. There is really no substitute.

It costs money I know but there are ways of doing it fairly economically by watching the weather. On sunny days make sure that your curtains and blinds are open fully to catch the sun. Despite what many peope say do not draftproof the doors and windows too much. Use your extractor fans in the kitchen and bathroom( if you have them) often - they do not cost much to run.

Invest in an electric dehumidifier. However you do need to use dehumidifiers in rooms with at least a moderate temperature. Dehumdification works by moist air condensing on cool metal fins inside the dehumdifier and these fins attract the moisture in the air because they are seen as much colder than the other surfaces on which the moisture can condense. If those other surfaces, ie. the walls furnishings etc inside the room are also cold it will be not so much air moisture attracted to the dehumidifier and the dehumidification will slow down. I have found that 10 dgrees C is a minimum and 15 degrees preferable. I have collected over 4 pints in one room at 15 dergrees in one day but at 5 degrees I got about an eggcupful in the same amount of time.

If you get a sunny winter day and the sun is entering the room I have found that is is a good time to use the dehumidifier and saves on heating costs.

The bathroom doesn't need an extractor, as there's no mould in there, and we open the window after a shower - we don't have a bath. We live in one of the sunniest areas in the UK, NEVER have the window closed in the bedrooms, except on the stormiest nights, and we're in the the fortunate situation in not having to worry to much about heating bills, so keeping the rooms warm aren't an issue.

Thanks for the advice, but I know how a dehumidifier works - I'm a physical chemist. I guess, until we get less rain (if ever) a de-humidifier is our only option. We've lived here for 7 years, never had the problem until this last year.

TimBear

bearcub wrote: »

We have some mould in nearly every room, except our bathroom, this year. It's never been like this before but, with the seemingly constant wet weather for the last 18 months, and being on clay soil, despite ventilating the rooms well, we've still got mould. It's on the walls, on the curtains (they're going to cost, because some of them are dry clean only), and even on a piece of Victorian furniture which was my mother-in-law's. I'm getting really fed up with it now.

I'm no expert by any means but have you checked that the windows are still sealed correctly? I had a problem with damp/mould in my old front bedroom and it was something to do with the window.

Perhaps not in it's in most of the rooms but just a suggestion!

Renoir77

If all else fails try ordinary old White Vinegar from the supermarket. Soak some onto a small clean sponge and just dab/rub a bit at a time. I heard this on a radio phone in show and tried it on the ceiling in my spare room that is not always heated. It worked a treat and has not returned and that was at least 8 weeks ago:j.

bearcub

TimBear wrote: »

I'm no expert by any means but have you checked that the windows are still sealed correctly? I had a problem with damp/mould in my old front bedroom and it was something to do with the window.

Perhaps not in it's in most of the rooms but just a suggestion!

Most of our windows are new, replaced over the last 7 years. There's no damp anywhere near the windows, except by the door from the second bedroom to the garden - and that's only a year old. Where the piece of furniture is, mentioned earlier, is the wall where our gas fire is, no window backing onto the garage and conservatory, and yet the lounge is always warm, as we have a huge radiator opposite. The room has no sign of condensation or mould elsewhere. OH is pretty sure it's due to the water outside not soaking away quickly enough. We hope this year to have the outside of the bungalow re-pointed, although DD2's bf, who's a builder, reckons it'll make little difference, except cosmetically. I'd like our patio replaced, and drainage improved. OH isn't convinced - it's not as if we can't afford it!

Lavandula

I just tried the bicarb/bleach on my mouldy grout/tiles and now they are sparkling white........brilliant. THANKS:j

blogger57

We just use a very diluted bleach solution to spray on the tiles after showering - especially on the sealant round the shower tray. Since we have done this we have had no problems with mould.

Prevention is better than cure in my mind and it only takes 10 seconds after a shower.