Mould is a living organism that thrives in damp environments. It grows and spreads by releasing seeds, known as spores, into the air. These spores then land on other damp surfaces and start to grow into visible mould. The spores are tiny and cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Breathing in these spores can cause health issues, especially if you are young, old, or have allergies or respiratory conditions.
You should remove mould as soon as possible to help prevent it from spreading and to reduce any potential health risks.
How to treat mould
If the mould is limited to a small area, you can:
- wipe it away from windows, bathroom tiles and other affected surfaces using a bleach-based mould removal spray, following the manufacturer’s instructions, then throw the cloth away
- avoid brushing or vacuuming mould as this can release spores into the air and increase the risk of breathing problems
- shampoo carpets affected by mould
If the mould has spread over a large area such as a wall or ceiling, it may need more specialist treatment. Everyday cleaning products like bleach or washing-up liquid will not work.
You can wipe down affected surfaces with a fungicidal wash, following the manufacturer’s instructions, but check that it carries a Health and Safety Executive approved number.
Help for council tenants
If you are a council tenant, we can treat the mould in your home as a temporary safety measure. We will then arrange for a surveyor to inspect your home, identify the cause of the damp or mould, and recommend any repairs needed to fix the problem.
Treating the mould helps keep it under control until the root cause can be identified and repaired. It does not permanently solve the problem.
See Report damp and mould in a council home to find out what support we can offer.
After treatment
Removing mould will not solve the problem if excess moisture remains in your home. To help prevent mould from returning, you should reduce condensation in your home.
Damp and mould can stain paint, wallpaper and other surfaces. Some staining may remain even after the mould has been removed. Once the affected area is completely dry and any underlying cause has been resolved, you may need to redecorate.
When redecorating:
- use a good-quality fungicidal paint
- do not paint or wallpaper over untreated mould
