How to Get Rid of Mould and Stop It Coming Back

Battling damp and mould can seem like an uphill struggle, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms where condensation builds up from everyday cooking, washing and showering. And condensation can be more destructive than you think, lingering on walls and furniture and resulting in mould which can rot surfaces and affect your health.

Follow our top tips on how to get rid of mould and damp, as well as how to stop condensation to prevent mould building up in the first place. That way, you can keep your home dry and fresh all year round.

Use moisture traps

The simple, no-fuss way to absorb excess moisture in your home, a moisture trap is a compact unit filled with absorbent crystals. Keep one in your bathroom or kitchen to help prevent damp and condensation.

The UniBond Aero 360° Moisture Absorber will tackle the root cause of the problem by drawing water from the air and converting it into a solution. Compact in size, it’s ideal for windowsills or tucking out of view in the corner of the room. 

For small or confined spaces, use a mini moisture trap. It’ll strip all the excess moisture from your airing cupboards or shoe racks, leaving behind a fresh citrus scent. 

We also stock various scented refills if you want to add a refreshing aroma to your rooms.

Control cooking steam

Whether you’re boiling potatoes or simmering soup, open pans and kettles can produce lots of steam when you’re cooking, and it all builds up as condensation. A great, simple way to control it is by using lids on your saucepans – it speeds up the boiling process too, so will save you money on energy bills. When taking lids off the pans, open a window briefly to let out the steam.

Dry clothes outdoors

Leaving damp clothes hanging around indoors can produce excess moisture, so it’s best to dry clothes on outdoor airers whenever possible. If you’re short on space, a wall-mounted airer is a tidy solution that can be folded away after use.The Brabantia WallFix Wall-Mounted Airer is a great choice. If it's simply too cold to dry clothes outdoors and you're using a heated airer or radiators to do the job, a moisture absorber or electric dehumidifier will help absorb the excess moisture. 

Electric dehumidifiers

If you’re wondering how to stop condensation on windows, an electric dehumidifier is well worth the investment. They remove excess moisture from the air, which allows you to choose the ideal moisture level for your room. With compact, portable designs, they’re discreet enough to keep in your home and will automatically collect moisture in a built-in tank.

These are great if you're drying washing indoors when either it’s too cold to dry outside or you live in a flat. 

Prevent draughts

Draughts through windows, doors and walls not only make your home feel colder and increase your energy bills, but they also result in condensation due to the difference in temperature on either side of the windows. A simple solution is to use draught excluders around door and window frames, as well as letterboxes. They’re easy to fit and offer a quick solution for keeping the heat in.

Suck up condensation

If you’ve got condensation building up on your windows and are fed up of sponging it off with a towel, try a window vacuum. They suck up water in seconds so you can just pour it down the sink afterwards, and leave no streaks behind. 

Use anti-mould DIY products

Bathrooms and kitchens are often the first place mould starts growing so if you’re decorating, stop it before it starts with the UniBond Anti-Mould Silicone Kitchen and Bathroom Sealant.

Use mould remover sprays or gels

Want to know how to get rid of mould that’s already appeared on your walls? Mould remover sprays or gels are essential. They can eliminate even the toughest mould on your tiles, plaster and more.

Relieve respiratory problems

To relieve or prevent respiratory problems, air purifiers are well worth investing in. The Russell Hobbs Clean Pro Air Purifier features advanced three-layer filtration to capture 99.95% of particles from the air for a cleaner, healthier home.

Repair mould-ridden grout

If your grout’s past repair and needs a new lease of life, use the UniBond Grout Reviver with Anti-Mould, or their grout-reviver pen.

Remove mould from your shower curtain

Finally, if you’ve got mould on your shower curtain, tackle it with some Dri-Pak White Vinegar Cleaner and if the mould leaves a stain, soak it in water with some bleach and give it a quick scrub.

How to get rid of mould on walls

Mould hates vinegar. Simply spray on some Dri-Pak White Vinegar Cleaner, grab an old cloth and it will come right off. For any stains left behind, use some soapy water and good old-fashioned elbow grease. 

How to stop condensation on windows

It’s a difficult task to stop condensation forming in the cooler months but there are things you can do to help - double glazing being one of them. If your windows are single-glazed it will be easier for condensation to build up. Condensation happens when cold outdoor air meets warm indoor air; double glazing adds an extra barrier against this temperature difference by adding a layer of warm air in between. It won’t solve your condensation woes completely but it will help. 

For other ways of stopping condensation on windows, follow our tips on prevention above. 

How to stop mould coming back

Unfortunately there’s no quick, easy fix. What you need to do is take several preventative measures to help stop condensation forming, because this adds moisture to warm conditions and therefore leads to mould. Have a look at all of our preventative tips above.