Home Q&A: What's the best way to remove black mould from tiles?

When removing mould from tiling, start simply with a paste made up of bicarbonate of soda and a little water.

QUESTION

What's the best way to remove black mould from tiles?

ANSWER

There are various approaches, but when dealing with tiles, be warned that bleach while safe on painted walls, can over time cause grout to crumble and fail. 

Start simply with a paste made up of bicarbonate of soda and a little water. Apply and use either a medium/soft toothbrush or gloved fingers, working it along the grout, lifting as you go with a kitchen towel. 

You can use this over the face of the tiling but it will leave something of a bloom in darker colours. 

Shower off and buff clean with a microfiber cloth. 

If it’s mainly tile, just drop a teaspoon or two of the soda into a bottle and fill it with warm water. Use this as a surface spray. Using any acid, including white vinegar near grouting, ensure you rinse it thoroughly. 

Vinegar is fine in dilution on many other sealed surfaces including the inside of the wardrobe to prevent mildew and mould. 

If you’re happy to use a commercial spray, HG Mould Remover Spray (€8 for 500l) gives good results. Wear gloves and a paper mask. 

Stronger petrochemical products will hold mould off for longer, but without remedial action, it will inevitably return. 

Mould is a cunning survivor and can live inside plasterboard — trace the issue. There comes a point where, once ventilation has been sorted you might want to regrout.

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