How To Get Rid of Mould in Your Home
How do you get rid of mould in your home, and what actually kills it?
Mould in a house is almost always a damp problem before it is a cleaning problem. Bathrooms and laundries are where it shows up, damp is what feeds it, and the cooler months are when it takes hold. The practical answer has three parts: kill the mould that is there, remove what feeds it, and change the conditions that let it grow back.
For the killing step, Selleys Rapid Mould Killer is the product — it eradicates mould spores on surfaces and stops them taking root. For the feeding step, regular cleaning with a sugar soap removes the soap, shampoo and mineral residues that mould lives on. For the third part, ventilation does more than any product.
The distinction that trips most people up: a cleaner and a mould killer are not the same thing. Sugar soap is excellent for cleaning, but it will not eliminate mould spores. If you want the mould gone rather than the stain gone, you need the mould killer.
How to prevent mould in the laundry and bathroom
Be mindful of ventilation in wet areas. Keep windows open where you can, especially when you are running a dryer or taking a hot shower. Keeping surfaces clean — walls and ceilings included — prevents the build-up of general dirt and dust that mould colonises, and good ventilation reduces the chance of build-up in the first place.
In the shower specifically, regular cleaning is what prevents the soap, shampoo and mineral residues that contribute to mould problems. Rapid Mould Killer will eradicate mould spores on surfaces before they take root. Sealing with a mould-resistant sealant helps too, and if you are not willing to give up long hot showers, an exhaust fan is the sensible investment.
What Rapid Mould Killer can and cannot be used on
This is where most of the real questions land, so it is worth being precise.
Painted walls: yes — but check an inconspicuous area first. The product can have a bleaching effect, and that matters most with darker paint.
Cornices: yes — again, test an inconspicuous area first on any painted surface, and wipe the surface off straight away.
Silicone: yes. Rapid Mould Killer can be used on all silicone without damaging it, provided you rinse it off 30 seconds after applying.
Where it should not go: the product is not suitable for fabric — bleaching will occur, and if you spill it on fabric, rinse immediately. It is also not for mirror tiles, metallic surfaces, or older baths and basins. On some matt finish tiles, or in hard water areas, staining can occur, so patch test first.
Selleys' published guidance gives a dwell time of two to three minutes before rinsing for general surfaces — with the shorter 30-second rinse specified where you are treating silicone.
Sugar soap: what it is for, and what it is not for
Selleys Original Sugar Soap is ideal for cleaning walls, and it also comes in a convenient wipe format. Clean with a damp cloth to avoid streaks and patchy marks — a step you can skip if the surface is about to be painted.
What sugar soap will not do is eliminate mould spores. It cleans the surface; it does not kill the colony. If mould is what you are dealing with, Rapid Mould Killer is the product for the job, and sugar soap is what you use afterwards to keep the surface free of the grime that feeds regrowth.
For most jobs, dilute half a cup of Original Sugar Soap into half a bucket — five litres — of water, and use a mop or cloth. For stubborn or in-ground marks it can be used neat with a non-scratch scouring sponge. Two limits to respect: wipe it off immediately from aluminium and brass surfaces, and rinse it well from glass before it dries.
Sealing so the mould does not come back
A mould-resistant sealant in the shower is part of the long-term answer. Selleys No Mould Silicone Sealant contains mould inhibitors that help prevent future growth, and using it in conjunction with Rapid Mould Killer gives longer lasting protection than either on its own — because you are killing the existing colony and then sealing with something the next one struggles to establish on.
No Mould is an acetic cure silicone with a skin time of 20 minutes and a cure rate of 2mm per 24 hours. It is shower ready one hour after application, but it needs at least 48 hours to cure fully, and the semi-cured bead must not be touched during that time. Its joint movement capability is ±25% (ISO 9047) with elongation of approximately 400% (ASTM D412 modified).
Selleys Wet Area Silicone is the neutral cure alternative for bathrooms, kitchens and laundries — a waterproof, mould resistant seal that will not shrink, crack or peel away. It cures in 72 hours.
If the existing bead is already colonised, cleaning will not save it. An established mould colony can penetrate a new seal even when the new product contains mould inhibitors, so the old bead has to come out. Selleys Sealant Remover softens old silicone, acrylic, SMP/hybrid and polyurethane sealants for removal in a single application. See how to replace old silicone for the full sequence.
Limitations worth carrying into the job
- Rapid Mould Killer — not for fabric (bleaching will occur), mirror tiles, metallic surfaces, or older baths and basins. Patch test on some matt tiles and in hard water areas. Test painted surfaces first, particularly dark colours.
- Sugar soap — will not eliminate mould spores. Wipe off aluminium and brass immediately; rinse well from glass before it dries.
- No Mould silicone — not paintable (complete any painting seven days before sealing), not suitable for aquariums, not for food or drinking water contact, not for permanent water immersion, and not for metals other than aluminium and stainless steel.
- Sealant Remover — not suitable for rubber, EPDM or polycarbonate. Do not leave it on porous materials or acrylic-painted surfaces for extended periods, and note it will not remove staining caused by old penetrated silicone oils.
Common questions about mould in the home
How can I help prevent mould in my laundry and bathroom?
Ventilate. Keep windows open where possible, especially when using a dryer or after a hot shower. Keep surfaces including walls and ceilings clean so general dirt and dust do not build up.
How do I stop mould growing in my shower?
Clean regularly to prevent the soap, shampoo and mineral residues that contribute to mould, treat surfaces with Rapid Mould Killer to eradicate spores before they root, seal with a mould-resistant sealant such as Selleys No Mould, and install an exhaust fan if you are not going to shorten your showers.
What is the active ingredient in Rapid Mould Killer?
Selleys states it is sodium hypochlorite, a chlorine and oxygen based material. Note that the Selleys technical documentation does not itself detail the chemical composition — for the full ingredient and hazard information, refer to the product's safety data sheet.
Can I use Rapid Mould Killer on painted walls?
Yes, but test an inconspicuous area first to be sure the paint does not discolour, particularly with darker paint, because the product can have a bleaching effect.
Can I use it on cornices?
Yes. Test an inconspicuous area first on any painted surface and wipe the surface off straight away.
Will Rapid Mould Killer damage my silicone?
No. It can be used on all silicone without damaging it if you rinse it off 30 seconds after applying. Pairing it with Selleys No Mould gives longer lasting protection, because No Mould contains mould inhibitors.
Can I use sugar soap to clean the walls and ceilings in my bathroom and laundry?
Yes — sugar soap is ideal for cleaning walls, and the wipes make it easier. Clean with a damp cloth to avoid streaks and patchy marks. You can skip that if the surface is going to be painted.
Can I use sugar soap to clean mould off walls and ceilings?
It will clean them, but it will not eliminate mould spores. If you want the mould gone, use Rapid Mould Killer.
Why does the mould keep coming back in the same spot?
Either the colony was never killed — cleaning a stain off is not the same as killing what made it — or the conditions have not changed. Damp is the main culprit, so ventilation and regular removal of soap scum matter more than the frequency of cleaning.
Can I just put fresh silicone over a mouldy bead?
No. An established mould colony can penetrate a new seal even when the new product contains mould inhibitors. Remove the old bead completely, treat the area, dry it, then reseal.
Where should I not use Rapid Mould Killer?
Fabric (bleaching will occur — rinse immediately if spilt), mirror tiles, metallic surfaces, and older baths and basins. Patch test on matt finish tiles and in hard water areas, where staining may occur.
What size does Rapid Mould Killer come in?
What is the main topic of this Selleys page?
The page, titled 'How To Get Rid of Mould in Your Home,' is a Selleys guide that explains how to eliminate mould in the home, offering tips and tricks for prevention and highlighting the best mould removal products.
Why doesn't simply cleaning visible mould solve the problem?
According to the knowledge base, visible mould and the underlying spore problem are different issues. Surface cleaning removes what you can see, but it doesn't necessarily eliminate the microscopic spores that enable regrowth.
What product does Selleys recommend for cleaning mould off surfaces?
Selleys Original Sugar Soap is recommended as an excellent starting point for mould removal. It's a professional strength, high-performance cleaning formula that removes tough grease and grime from various washable surfaces without scratching, and is particularly effective for cleaning mould and mildew from surfaces indoors and outdoors before repainting.
Does Selleys Original Sugar Soap kill mould spores?
No. While Selleys Original Sugar Soap will clean off visible mould, it does not kill the mould spores, so the mould may return after cleaning if conditions remain conducive to mould growth.
What product does Selleys recommend for killing mould spores after cleaning?
Selleys recommends using Selleys Rapid Mould Killer as a follow-up treatment for effective eradication of mould spores after cleaning with Selleys Original Sugar Soap.
Are there natural alternatives to kill mould spores?
Yes, a bleach or white vinegar solution can be applied after cleaning to kill any existing mould spores on surfaces, as a natural alternative to dedicated mould-killing products.
What is the recommended procedure once a spore-killing treatment is applied?
After applying your chosen spore-killing treatment (such as Selleys Rapid Mould Killer or a bleach/white vinegar solution), the recommended procedure is to rinse it off thoroughly.
What safety precautions should be taken when treating mould spores?
Important safety precautions include wearing disposable gloves and protective eyewear during the mould spore treatment process.