10 best mould removers that actually work

With energy bills at an all-time high, damp and mould are becoming even harder to tackle, which is why combining the best mould remover with the best dehumidifier is essential this winter.

Black mould grows along walls and between bathroom tiles in the shape of furry black, green or brown spots with a tell-tale musty smell. It is sneaky and insidious, hiding behind furniture and growing in dark corners. You’re most likely to find it in the busiest parts of your home, like the bathroom, kitchen or laundry room, because it results from poor ventilation and excess moisture from using appliances like your steam iron, tumble dryer and washer-dryer.

Best mould removers, at a glance:

• Best mould remover overall: HG Mould Spray, £5

• Best scented: Astonish Mould and Mildew Blaster, £6

• Best for black mould: Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover, £10

• Best environmentally friendly mould remover: Method Anti-Bac Bathroom Cleaner, £4

• Best for mildew: Dettol Mould and Mildew Remover, £5

We know that standard advice is simply to turn the heating on, dry your clothes outside and ventilate your home by opening windows. Whilst this tackles the underlying causes, sometimes that isn’t possible or won’t be enough in severe cases.

Black mould spores not only cause damage to clothes, curtains and furniture, but they can also irritate allergies and asthma and even cause respiratory illnesses. To eliminate it for good, you need to treat and kill the mould already present to prevent it from spreading, which is why buying the best mould remover is critical. Mould removers use a combination of bleach and caustic soda to disinfect, dissolve and kill spores effectively and efficiently and prevent regrowth. However, if you’re worried about using strong chemicals in your home, you can buy natural alternatives that contain enzymes; just be aware that these aren’t as potent. To really hit the mould where it hurts, the more traditional products that use chemicals will banish it for good.

So, which is the best? To ensure that our mould removers guide is balanced, honest and up-to-date, much like our guide to the best laundry detergent, we utilised our triple-check-verification process to ensure we’re recommending quality products that work. As always, we consulted the 10 million unique users on our Mumsnet forums and researched their authentic views and opinions on which they’d found most effective (and which they hadn’t). We then compared these against the top ten lists rated by experts and consumer review champions, mainly looking for products with awards, accolades and multiple mentions. Once we had our shortlist, we investigated every mould remover's consumer reviews across various retailers to see which had the highest 5* ratings. By going through these steps, we can guarantee our guide to the best mould remover contains products that have been tried, tested and trusted by parents, experts and consumers. Whether you’re looking for a spray, foam or liquid mould remover for indoor or outdoor use, we’ve got you covered.

Here are the best mould removers to buy in 2026.

You may also want to check out our guides to the best washing machines, best fabric softeners, best laundry baskets, best rotary washing lines and best clothes pegs to help meet all your laundry needs.

What is mould, and what causes it?

Mould is a fungus made up of microscopic spores that flourish in damp, humid conditions. It breaks down organic material, especially in porous surfaces such as wallpaper, paint, wood and fabric. It is important to remember that mould is common in homes but won’t go away on its own. Instead, it will continue to spread and grow until you remove it.

The most common places to find mould are in your bathroom or kitchen, and that is because it is caused by:

• Rising Damp: Whether it is an issue inside the wall, such as a leak, rising damp indicates a serious structural issue that will cause mould growth.

• Humidity: From using an appliance like a tumble dryer or washing machine or going about daily tasks like taking a shower or cooking dinner, humidity is the most common cause of mould.

• Condensation: Condensation happens when warm air collides with a cold surface. You will usually find signs of this around your windows, even in your bedroom, which can cause mould to grow along the frame.

• Poor ventilation: Linked to condensation and humidity, if you aren’t regularly ventilating your home, moisture has nowhere to escape. Ensuring you use your extractor fan in the kitchen and bathroom and open windows for 10 minutes in the morning can make a big difference.

What are the three most common types of mould?

There are more than 100,000 documented species of mould, and they are categorised into three ‘classes’ based on risk.

• Allergenic

• Pathogenic

• Toxic

Allergenic and Pathogenic mould groups are low risk, though they can still cause health issues. Toxic moulds are, as you might guess, high risk.

Of the moulds most commonly found in the home, the most common are:

• Strachybotrys is the black mould found in bathrooms

• Aspergillus is a green or yellow mould that appears in circular shapes on carpets, mattresses and walls

• Cladosporium is clusters of green, yellow or black spores which tend to thrive during summer

Which type of mould is the most harmful?

Strachybotrys, or black mould, is the most harmful type found in the home. It can cause flu-like illnesses, respiratory damage, diarrhoea, memory loss and other symptoms, so it really needs getting on top of as soon as you spot it. It’s hazardous for children as their lungs are still developing, as demonstrated by a tragic news story this winter.

Is it safe to clean black mould yourself?

Small amounts of black mould are safe to clean yourself if you have the right equipment and protective gear.

Black mould often forms when your room isn’t well-ventilated (think bathrooms without windows). If left untreated, it might cause problems like asthma attacks and allergic reactions.

You can use bleach or mould removers to try and tackle unsightly stains and spores. Most mould removers contain bleach, which can stain, and other powerful chemicals to break down the mould – so you should always wear protective eyewear, non-porous gloves and a mask when handling these products. Another way to protect yourself from harmful fumes and mould spores is to ventilate the room you’re cleaning.

If you’re cleaning mould yourself, remember to read and follow the instructions on the label carefully. And never mix dangerous chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia, as these can produce toxic fumes.

How do I get rid of mould?

No matter how tempting it might be, you should never try scrubbing or scraping at mould, as this can release spores you’ll breathe in. If a general household cleaner or bleach doesn’t remove the mould, you must find a mould remover that can kill and prevent it from returning.

Before removing the mould, ensure you’ve ventilated the room and are wearing protective gloves, goggles and a mask. Then check that the mould remover suits the surface you’re treating, and read the instructions on how to apply it.

A general guide on getting rid of mould:

1. Remove items from the area (for example, shampoo bottles in the shower)

2. Follow the instructions on the label and spray or dab the mould remover on a small area. This is known as a patch test and will help you to determine whether this mould remover is suitable for your surface and if it will work.

3. If you’re satisfied with step two, you can apply the mould remover onto your surface as directed on the label.

4. Leave the remover for the recommended time (often between five and 20 minutes).

5. Rinse thoroughly with cold water and wipe off any residue with a cloth.

Stubborn black mould stains may need several applications, so reapply the remover until you’ve successfully cleaned and killed the mould. And don’t forget, no matter how powerful the mould killer if you don’t treat the underlying causes listed above, mould will just come back.

How do I stop black mould from coming back?

Mould spores thrive in damp and cool conditions, so the best way to stop mould from returning is to avoid creating this environment. Luckily, there are several things you can do to prevent it from returning, including:

• Dry your clothes outside: Wet washing can add extra moisture to your home, which is the perfect breeding ground for mould. If you need to dry your washing inside, avoid putting it on radiators, and open a window.

• Using a dehumidifier: Dr Andy Whittamore, an in-house GP at Asthma UK, says, “Some people find that dehumidifiers help to dry the air and prevent damp and mould. But you must get the setting right, or they can leave the air too dry and make you cough.” Dehumidifiers can remove excess moisture in the air, which can help stop mould from spreading and ultimately prevent it from returning.

• Keep your home ventilated: Open windows as much as possible to let air flow in and moisture out. Place lids on pans when you’re cooking in the kitchen. Turn on extractor fans when cooking. Turn on the fan before you shower and leave it on afterwards (for 10-15 minutes).

• Dry wet areas: Drying wet areas can also help to reduce the amount of moisture in your home - this might mean wiping down and drying the bathroom after having a shower or cleaning up any spillages/leaks as and when they happen.

What kills mould permanently?

You can only remove mould permanently by changing the environment to ensure the area is not humid, damp or cold; it is about long-term prevention over short-term cures. To combat it, install extractor fans, ventilate by opening windows, keep rooms warm, and use a dehumidifier if the room is prone to humidity and condensation. Once mould appears, get on top of it as quickly as possible and use a good mould remover to eliminate any black spots.

What should I consider when buying a mould remover?

To pick the best mould remover for your home, you need to consider several factors:

• Do you plan on using it inside or outside? Some mould removers are only for outdoor use, whereas others specifically target areas indoors.

• What type of surface do you need to use it on? Most mould removers come with an extensive list of surfaces you can and can’t use - ensure you read the label and conduct a patch test before applying it.

• Who lives in your household? If you have pets or children, consider where you are using it carefully and guard against accidental ingestion.

• How often will you use it? Powerful mould removers are great for immediate treatments, but if you’ve solved the underlying issue and it is about prevention, a milder mould remover may be best.

What’s the best mould remover?

HG’s Mould Spray is loved by many (including Mumsnet users), experts and previous consumers because it is affordable, effective and works in as little as 10 minutes.

How we chose our recommendations

When choosing our recommendations, our journalists spend hours researching products using our triple-check verification process, which involves analysing various sources to find the best products on the market.

Mumsnetter recommendations

To bring you the best mould remover roundup, we investigated highly-rated products recommended on the Mumsnet forums by real families who have put these mould removers to the test.

Expert opinion

We then cross-referenced this long list with the opinion of industry experts and product comparison sites. We specifically looked for repeatedly mentioned mould removers which had won awards or were endorsed.

Verified customer reviews

Using our final shortlist, we checked the reviews of each product, looking for those with the highest 5* ratings and weighing up the pros and cons of each mould remover.

Celebrated Mould removers

 By conducting our in-depth research, we can provide you with valuable insight into which mould removers work best and which ones are most used and loved by real people.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.

As a cleaning enthusiast and someone who has had to tackle mould several times, our writer Hannah knows a thing or two about the daunting task of treating and preventing mould. As such, she was determined to provide honest, independent advice and tips that’ll help you live mould-free for the foreseeable.