Removing mould from the wall
Difficulty: Medium · Time: approx. 30 minutes
Small, fresh patches of mould (up to roughly the size of your palm) can usually be removed yourself. More important than wiping it away is finding the cause – it's almost always moisture: too little ventilation, a cold bridge or a hidden leak.
Protect yourself while working: you shouldn't breathe in mould spores. Work with gloves, a mask and an open window.
What you'll need
- Rubber gloves + FFP2 mask
- High-percentage alcohol (70–80%) or a mould remover
- Spray bottle + disposable cloths/paper towels
- A bin bag for the used cloths
- Optional: a hygrometer to measure humidity
Step by step
- 1
Protect and ventilate
Put on gloves and a mask, open the window. Close doors to other rooms so spores don't spread.
- 2
Dampen the area
Spray the spot with alcohol or mould remover until it's well moistened – don't dry-brush it, or you'll stir up spores.
- 3
Wipe off
Wipe with a disposable cloth from the outside inwards. Do NOT reuse the cloth – put it straight into the bin bag.
- 4
Treat again and dry
Spray the spot again, let it work and dry. Dispose of the used cloths and gloves sealed up.
- 5
Tackle the cause
Air the room 2–3 times a day with the window wide open, keep humidity below ~60%, move furniture a few centimetres from outside walls. Otherwise the mould comes back.
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Upload a photo →Frequently asked questions
- Is vinegar enough against mould?
- Not reliably – on many building materials vinegar can even feed the mould. High-percentage alcohol or a dedicated mould remover is the better choice.
- Why does the mould keep coming back?
- Because the moisture cause hasn't been fixed. Without enough ventilation/heating or a repaired leak, it regrows in the same spot.