Mould on walls can usually be cleaned safely with simple household products, as long as the patch is small and you protect yourself while working. For large, recurring, or very dark mould patches (especially if anyone has asthma or allergies), it is safer to call a professional rather than treating it as a DIY job.

Safety first

  • Wear protection : rubber gloves, mask (ideally a P2/FFP2 respirator), and safety glasses to avoid breathing in spores or getting cleaner on your skin.
  • Ventilate the room: open windows and doors, and if possible use a fan blowing air out of the room.
  • Keep kids and pets away from the area until everything is cleaned and fully dry.

Quick step‑by‑step method

For small patches on painted or sealed walls:

  1. Prepare a cleaning mix
    • Option 1 (gentle): Warm water with a little mild detergent in a bucket.
 * Option 2 (natural): White vinegar (undiluted or mixed 1:1 with water) in a spray bottle.

 * Option 3 (stubborn stains): Make a paste from baking soda and a little water.
  1. Apply to the mould
    • Lightly spray or wipe the solution onto the mouldy area; avoid aggressive brushing at first so you don’t send spores into the air.
 * Leave vinegar or baking soda on the surface for 10–60 minutes so it can penetrate and help kill the mould roots.
  1. Clean the wall
    • Wipe or gently scrub with a cloth or soft brush, working in small sections.
 * Rinse with clean water using a separate cloth or sponge to remove residue.
  1. Dry thoroughly
    • Pat the wall dry with clean towels or cloths and then let it air dry completely; use a fan or dehumidifier if the room is damp.
 * Throw away used cloths or wash them on a hot cycle to avoid spreading spores.

Important: Never mix vinegar with bleach, as this can create dangerous fumes.

When (and when not) to use bleach

  • Many home guides still suggest dilute bleach on non‑porous surfaces (like tiles) because it can remove stains quickly.
  • On indoor painted walls, bleach can damage finishes and sometimes doesn’t reach mould roots in porous materials, so many professional and cleaning guides now recommend vinegar, detergent, or specialist mould sprays instead.

If you do ever use a commercial mould remover:

  • Follow label instructions exactly and keep the room very well ventilated.
  • Do not mix it with any other cleaner, particularly products containing ammonia or acids.

Stop mould coming back

Cleaning is only half the job; fixing moisture is what keeps walls mould‑free.

  • Improve ventilation : use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, open windows after showers or drying clothes, and avoid blocking air vents.
  • Reduce humidity : use a dehumidifier in very damp rooms and avoid drying clothes indoors where possible.
  • Fix moisture sources : repair leaks, check gutters, and treat rising or penetrating damp if walls feel persistently wet or cold to the touch.

If mould keeps returning quickly, covers a large area, or is linked to leaks or structural damp, bringing in a damp or mould specialist is usually the safest long‑term solution.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.