How to clean mould in your bathroom

Black mould is a common problem in bathrooms. As the humid and enclosed environment provides the ideal conditions for mould spores to grow.

The following guide from Saint-Gobain Weber gives advice on how to get rid of mould, and how to prevent it from returning.

Keep it clean

It doesn’t take long for baths and showers to build up a level of grime, so staying ahead of the cleaning will pay dividends.

A swift wipe down a couple of times a week can be more effective than an intensive scrub once a month, as it stops bacteria settling long enough to produce mould in the first place.

Choose your cleaning solution

If there are signs of mould growing on grout or tiles, it may need something a little stronger than everyday bathroom cleaner.

While bleach will remove any staining as a result of the mould, it won’t kill the spores, particularly when it comes to a porous surface like grout. Pure vinegar however, should kill the mould spores and prevent them returning.

Let it soak

Using pure vinegar in a spray bottle, give the area a generous dose and leave to soak for one hour. For more stubborn mould stains when cleaning tile grout, a scrubbing brush or toothbrush should be used to lift the stain.

When removing mould make sure the area is well ventilated, both during cleaning and for a couple of hours afterwards.

With natural cleaning solutions such as vinegar, they should be safe to use on all types of tile, and coloured grouts as there is no need to worry about fading. With shop-bought cleaning solutions and bleach however, it’s best to check whether it’s safe to use on the chosen tiles/grout first.

Prevention is better than cure

There are a few measures that can be taken to make sure that bathrooms are as protected from mould as they can be:

• Use mould-resistant grout

Not all grout is created equal. The first step in keeping mould at bay is using a mould-resistant grout. All Weber tile grouts are formulated with Mould Stop Technology which makes the surface of the grout inhospitable to mould spores.

This prevents mould in two ways, by resisting water, and by containing ingredients that kill mould. It’s also safe to use with all types of tile, from ceramic to stone.

• Minimise moisture

Mould loves moisture and flourishes in humid areas, so it is best not to leave bathrooms full of steam at the end of a bath or shower.

Even opening a window can make a massive difference, quickly letting the moisture out and fresh air in. If it is too cold to do this, or if your bathroom does not have a window, an extractor fan is a good alternative for ventilation. If a fan is not helping to stop the spread of mould, it may need replacing with one that has a higher capacity.

When it comes to refreshing a bathroom, weberjoint premium is mould-resistant, and has been formulated with PURE CLEAN anti-stain technology, and comes in a choice of 18 colours and is suitable for interior and exterior use.

For help finding the right tile grout for any type of tiling job, visit the Saint-Gobain Weber website.