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How do I get rid of black mould?

If you scour the internet you’ll find all sorts of advice about using vinegar, bleach and various essential oils, including thyme and tea tree, to clean black mould. Not to mention the numerous mould removing sprays on the market – which, if you look carefully, are generally mainly bleach. While all of these can be effective, Sam Bellamy suggests a simple blend of washing-up liquid and water, sprayed onto a cloth and then wiped over the mould

Fungicides and bleach solutions can bring about breathing issues on their own, and can cause mould to fragment into smaller particles that can be inhaled, causing health problems, so it’s wise to wear a mask and gloves. Keep windows open for ventilation, but doors shut to prevent mould spores contaminating other parts of the property

Cleaning the mould you can see is only the start.

“If the material is damp, mould can regrow,” says Bellamy. “Ideally you want to remove the food source, or at the very least, dry it out completely.” If you can’t dry out a damp surface, replace it

You also need to identify what caused the moisture in the first place – is it something structural? A leak from a pipe, gutter or missing tile, or rising damp due to a damaged damp course? These causes of damp will often have a tidemark that you can see. Or is it because of dew point condensation? If you don’t address the fundamental problem, the mould will keep coming back.

HEALTH

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2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://dailytelegraph.pressreader.com/article/282067690959598

Daily Telegraph