How to remove mould from your home

Quick links

• Dry your home to prevent mould
• How to remove mould from hard surfaces
• Mould remover solutions
• How to remove mould from household items

Mould is most common after an extended period of rain or during a particularly wet summer.

It often grows grows in poorly ventilated places in the home and while it may not be visible straight away, it can develop quickly. It can also discolour walls, ceilings and other surfaces and emits a musty or unpleasant odour.

The quicker you can dry your home and clean household items after rain, the less likely you are to experience mould growth.

RACQ Insurance’s panel of builders recommend some simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of mould, especially in the days following a period of rain or flood event. 

Dry your home to prevent mould

One of the first steps you can take is to remove as much moisture from your home as possible, particularly in bathrooms, kitchens, laundries and walk-in robes.

If you have an air conditioner, you can set it to ‘dry mode’ (often indicated by a water droplet or tear drop symbol) or set it to 23 degrees. This will alleviate the feeling of dampness and stickiness in the air which will reduce humidity levels in your home.

Alternatively, running fans and opening doors and windows once the rain has passed can also reduce the risk of mould developing.

If your home has had water inundation from a weather event, try to remove any damp materials as soon as it’s safe.

Make sure you clean or remove damaged carpets, place damp household items outside and wipe down any wet surfaces. You can also place absorbent beads, purchased from the supermarket in affected areas to help with moisture absorption.

How to remove mould from hard surfaces

It’s essential to follow safety precautions, including wearing appropriate protective equipment such as safety goggles, gloves and a disposable respirator with a P1 or P2 filter.

Your home and contents insurance may cover the removal of mould if it is determined to be the result of flooding or storm damage.

The Queensland Government Department of Housing recommends the following steps to remove mould from walls, ceilings and hard surfaces:

1. Obtain personal protective equipment, including half-face disposable respirators with P1 or P2 filters, to avoid inhaling mould spores when cleaning. You’ll find these at hardware stores.
2. Place drop sheets on the floor and exclude people from the affected area if they’re not performing the work.
3. Get two buckets: one for cleaning solution and one for clean water.
4. Wipe the area clean with a microfibre cloth and cleaning solution. Don’t put dirty cloths back in the solution; rinse them in the clean water to avoid cross-contamination.
5. After cleaning the area with the solution, wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Don’t use the same cloth you used with the solution.
6. Wipe the surface dry with a clean cloth.

Mould remover solutions

• A solution of three parts vinegar and two parts water.
• A solution of 70% methylated spirits and 30% water.
• A solution of tea tree oil and water.
• Commercial products from retail outlets. Follow the safety instructions to protect your eyes and skin.

How to remove mould from household items

• Items that can be washed, such as soft toys and linen, should be machine washed as usual.
• Non-porous items like glassware can be washed in hot water with a bleach solution and air dried. Make sure your dishwasher is cleaned and disinfected before use.
• Air-conditioning units should be cleaned and serviced by a professional before use. Using the air conditioner without cleaning it can spread mould spores through the air.
• Items that can’t be easily cleaned should be thrown out if they have been wet for more than two days.
• If in doubt, take your items to a professional cleaner.