Black mould in a bathroom - any ideas?

[RedRosie]

Hello all. An elderly relative has finally agreed to let me help them clean their house (very proud, poor mobility and eyesight) after which I'm planning to pay for a regular cleaner to help keep on top of it as I live far away.

It's a bit of a state to say the least. The bathroom, especially the shower cubicle, is very bad and has been like a long time. Lots of black mould around the seals and the grouting. Does anyone have any tips or can anyone recommend good products? I wish I could afford to have it all ripped out and replaced but I can't - so any tips most welcome. Not afraid of hard work but can only spend limited time on it. What can I do in a day?

Advice much appreciated.

[WingsClipped]

I use the cotton wool soaked in bleach overnight as 80s suggested. Works everytime

[mustbetimeforacreamtea]

How's it going OP?

[BigGreenOlives]

These products all damage the surfaces of composite stone tiles - anyone thinking of using those products in a bathroom think long & hard.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

The OP used that

[mustbetimeforacreamtea]

I think it's the cloth/loo roll that makes all the difference. It seems to draw the mould out of the sealant as the material dries.

[RedRosie]

I did Dame. And next weekend will try that again before going in with the bleach soaked cloths suggested by 80sMum. I do think it probably needs ripping out but I'll keep at it while I do the rest room by room.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Did you leave it over night? I spray the HG stuff into loo roll and pressure against the mould, then spray again to soak it. This hold the bleach to the mould and stops it just running off after spraying.

[RedRosie]

I have tried the HG and the Cillit Bang black stuff.

Neither have shifted it, but there is I guess, a bit of improvement.

I have to go back down South today but will try to get oop North next weekend to continue the chemical bombardment. I have also cleaned his bedroom now so that's one room down!

If anyone has any further ideas they'd be greatfully received! But I suspect - in the end - the sealant and grout will have to be dug out.

[Upallnight9]

HG mould spray is excellent. I had to use it when my tenants left the bathroom in a disgusting state.

[MargotLovedTom]

Fingers crossed it works .

[RedRosie]

I will. For consistency, I've taken a photo of a particular bit (attached hopefully!) although it pretty much all looks like this sadly. It's been made worse I think, as the poor chap has tried to fix things in the past by slapping on sealant. I'm pretty sure most of these ideas won't work because of that.

I'll take the same photo after each assault but they will be spread out a bit as I live a couple of hundred miles away and can only do this on weekends.

Off to shop for the HG and Black-death stuff now - that's all I'll have time for this weekend.

Scientific eh?

[MargotLovedTom]

Take before and after photos .

[MargotLovedTom]

You are very kind doing this for your relative . Just make sure the place is well ventilated otherwise you'll both be reeling!

[RedRosie]

You are all fabulous. I'm going in there tomorrow, in the order recommended (starting with the HG thing) but I'm not convinced any of them will work!

I only have tomorrow ... but will be back there next weekend to continue the assault.

[sleeponeday]

We use the Dettol one. I imagine they're all similar, though.

When we moved into this house the mould around the grout was awful - really awful. Black and total coverage. It took 2 or 3 applications but it was white again afterwards. I use it now and then to stay on top of it. And the bathroom is an addition, so has two outside walls plus roof. It's very damp and cold outside hits a warm and steamy inside.

Specific anti mould products honestly do work. (Unlike those long-term cleaning ones, which sound minging to be honest as well as absolutely impossible.)

[Daytona79]

HG which you get in homebase etc is the only decent stuff to use

It will get rid of everything

[HalsallRedux]

I've just bought some of the Astonish stuff on MN's recommendation and it's bloody marvellous. It cost all of £1 so I'm very pleased. BUT I've previously had great success with the bleach-bicarbonate paste approach too.

Let us know how you get on, OP.

[RepentAtLeisure]

The HG Mould stuff is amazing. It was the only thing to shift some black mould marks on our bathroom floor.

[RedRosie]

80sMum - that sounds like the nuclear option.

I like it!

[80sMum]

To get rid of black mould on silicone sealant around a shower or bath, here's what you do.

Get a large bottle of thick bleach and get either a very large pack of cotton wool or a packet of disposable dishcloths (the blue stripe/checked sort). Get some extra strength rubber gloves.

Empty the bleach into a shallow non metal tray or dish, such as a large casserole dish or a small washing up bowl. If using the cloths, fold or twist one into a thin long length, then put it into the bleach until slopping wet, then arrange it along the silicone sealant, so it covers it. Continue with more cloths till all sealant is covered. Ensure that it is drenched in bleach. Leave in place for at least 24 - 48 hours. The cloths will partially disintegrate, so remove them carefully. Mould will be gone.

If using cotton wool, make long thin pieces and soak in same way.

[RedRosie]

Lookatyourwatchnow - I'd like to think it will end when I lightly apply one of these miracle products to the afflicted area ... (perhaps tomorrow)

... but the mostly likely outcome is a house full of fumes, untouched black mould, and a mad-haired, menopausal middle-aged woman hacking at grout with a de-grouting tool while a gentle old chap looks on.

[MewlingQuim]

Dettol mould and mildew cleared my black mouldy bathroom. It does stink and it took off some paint so be careful. Smells like sodium hydroxide rather than bleach.

[Lookatyourwatchnow]

I NEED to see how this ends.

[Nogravyforyou]

The astonish mouldy remover worked for me, it's fab! Literally gone in about 2 hours.

I found have a one of those dehumidifiers from the pound shop in the room really helped keep the mould at bay as well.