Two ingredients to avoid when cleaning mould – ‘not the best option’

B&Q advises on how to remove mould from your home

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Cleaning mould from your property is hard to do using the wrong products, but it’s not just strong chemicals to watch out for. According to experts, some natural ingredients can also do more harm than good when it comes to tackling fungus spores around the house. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Sarah Dempsey at Myjobquote.co.uk revealed the two most common culprits to avoid.

Products sold specifically for mould removal are highly effective against stubborn spores, though the lasting effects can often be just as unfortunate.

According to PureProtect, the harsh chemicals found in such products also have several unintended consequences that make them “less than ideal” compared to natural alternatives.

However, Sarah Dempsey at MyJobQuote.co.uk explained that some non-chemical ingredients simply aren’t good enough to prevent further growth.

She revealed that white vinegar and water are two of the most ineffective items in some instances.

White vinegar

Sarah said: “White vinegar is well-known for being a great natural cleaner as it contains natural biocidal properties that mean it can kill off certain types of mould. However, white vinegar can also damage porous materials.”

It can be useful on some surfaces, such as bathroom and kitchen tiles, though “it’s really not the best option” for other areas of the home.

She added: “The substance can eat away at wood, metal, marble, wallpaper, and walls. Vinegar also has a very strong scent that could become overwhelming.”

Instead, it is better to use baking soda, salt, borax, or essential oils.

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Warm water

Warm, soapy water may be useful for many household cleaning tasks, but according to Sarah, mould isn’t one of them.

She said: “Some people may be tempted to try to scrub the mould away with just some warm water for the most natural clean possible.

“While you may be able to get rid of a lot of the visible mould by scrubbing with warm water, you won’t be able to get rid of all of the spores.”

Not only does moisture encourage mould growth, but water is also notoriously ineffective against living organisms.

As a rule of thumb, it is best to harness the natural acidity of cleansing ingredients such as lemon juice to banish deep-rooted spores.

How to remove mould naturally

For porous surfaces that can’t be cleaned with vinegar, baking soda is the next best option.

An expert at EnviroVent said: “Dubbed as one of the more ‘natural remedies’ baking soda has been used as a cure for black mould outbreaks for generations, and many people still swear by it. Baking soda has a pH of around 8-8.1, too high for mould to thrive, meaning it serves as a natural disinfectant.”

Add one-quarter of a teaspoon of baking soda to two cups of water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray the mould spores and wipe the area with a brush.

Rinse with water, repeat the process and leave the surface to dry thoroughly.

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