Is your room smelling faintly musty? Perhaps there’s a faint dark patch in a corner, or discoloration in the corner of your skirting board? The first hints of mould on painted walls can be subtle, but it is vital to remove it as soon as possible. You should also make sure you understand why mould has grown on your walls so you can tackle the causes.
If you’ve spotted mould in your bedroom, bathroom ceiling mould, growth behind furniture, or along a cold external wall - this guide will help you understand how to remove it without using strong chemicals and stop it from returning. We’ll also touch on how best to prep walls and redecorate with anti mould paints to keep your space protected permanently.
What Causes Mould on Painted Walls?
The most common cause of mould on painted walls is moisture condensing, creating perfect conditions for mould growth. Moisture, warmth and lack of ventilation are all key factors which must be tackled to keep your home free from potentially harmful spores.
The top causes of mould in your home are:-
Condensation - particularly in areas where there may be cold spots on your walls. This encourages moisture in warm air to condense, creating fuel for spores to feed on.
High Humidity - created in rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms where cooking and showering or bathing may cause excessive steam in the room.
Poor Ventillation - lack of air movement means moisture settles on walls and windows and cannot escape.
Water Ingress - from your homes exterior due to leaky gutters, roofs, or poorly sealed masonry. Internal plumbing issues can also create issues with moisture.
Lack of Breathability - If you have an older home and modern cement based plaster has been used, it can trap moisture inside your home. Using breathable plasters, like a lime based plaster, and breathable paints can help keep your home breathing and mould free.
Areas with poor air circulation such as behind wardrobes or other furniture can be particularly vulnerable to mould taking hold unseen. Check these areas regularly, and dust your walls so that organic material can’t build up. Dust and debris promote mould growth.
How to Remove Mould from Walls Without Damaging Paint
You don’t need to use harsh chemicals to clean spores and mildew away. We recommend natural mould removers to remove mould from walls without damaging paint. Bleach based mould killing spray can discolour or damage paint, in addition to releasing fumes which can affect your respiratory health.
Let’s take a look at what cleaners are best to use on wall paint, and how best to go about the cleaning process to ensure no damage is done to your decor.
What’s the Best Mould Remover for Painted Walls?
We recommend a natural mould cleaner which will kill mould spores and prevent them coming back. Our personal favourite is Auro 412 Mould Eliminator followed up with a treatment of Auro 413 Mould Stop.
How to Kill Wall Mould Permanently with Auro
Before you begin, make sure you have eye protection and gloves. You’ll also need a soft cloth to apply the cleaner.
Steps:
- Ventilate the room.
- Apply Auro 412 to the areas of your wall affected by mould.
- Leave for a minimum of 1 hour before using a soft brush or cloth to brush away the mould residue.
- With a slightly damp cloth, clean the surface of any mould that remains.
- Once dry, follow up with Auro 413 to prevent future mould growth.
Before Cleaning Any Painted Wall
Regardless of which mould cleaner you decide to use, make sure you do a spot test in an inconspicuous area. We recommend using a small amount of your cleaner on a cotton bud, performing a test, and leaving overnight to ensure no damage is done to your paint finish.
How to Prepare and Paint Mould Prone Walls
If you decide to redecorate, your paint choice and the right preparation can make a massive difference in keeping walls mould and mildew free. Before painting, make sure you’ve followed the cleaning tips above to remove active growth and kill spores.
It’s also important to look at why your home might be suffering from mould and taking the necessary steps to ensure your home is well ventilated and kept moisture and condensation free.
Can you Just Paint Over Mould?
It’s tempting, but your joy at a fresh coat of paint will be short lived. You should never paint over mould, it will return and will be worse than ever. When you paint over it, you’ll trap spores underneath the paint, and you may need to strip the paint off plaster or paper later.
We recommend using a natural anti mould paint when redecorating. Our top performing paint is Auro 303, a silicate based paint which offers natural mould resistance. It has fungicidal and algicidal properties due to its high alkalinity.
Why Mould Keeps Coming Back & How Natural Paint Can Help
Many people experience a frustrating cycle of mould removal and repainting only to find it returns a few months later. This is often due to residual moisture in or on your walls, and non breathable paints can exacerbate the issue by trapping moisture.
Natural paints can help break the frustrating cycle of mould growth by allowing moisture to pass through and evaporate naturally. They don’t contain synthetic resins or plasticisers, so don’t create a barrier that locks damp inside your home.
Read more: Removing mould from ceilings | How to remove mould from walls permanently | Removing mould from wallpaper naturally
How to Monitor Your Walls for Mould Problems
Prevention is better than cure, so regular inspection of your walls combined with the following steps will help keep your home spore free!
- Ventilate regularly, make use of a dehumidifier in mould prone rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
- Remove condensation from surfaces such as shower screens and windows.
- Check your walls for damp patches or any signs of water ingress.
Need Help?
If you need tailored advice about how to tackle mould growth on your walls, please contact us. We can offer information and support on the right anti mould cleaners and paints to keep your home clean, fresh, and healthy.
Read More: How to prevent mould on painted walls.
