In fact, a 35p kitchen staple could do just the job in no time at all and it’s “much safer” to use around the home if you have children and pets.
Sometimes keeping mould at bay in our bathrooms can feel like a never-ending chore as excess moisture from showers and baths, combined with poor ventilation, can create the ideal conditions for airborne mould spores to land and grow on damp surfaces like grout, walls, and ceilings, especially during the colder months of the year.
But now experts have revealed that lemon juice can be a “great” natural cleaning agent and “helpful for tackling light mould” in just five-10 minutes.
Will lemon juice get rid of mould?
Andy Ellis at Vidalux.co.uk explained: “Its high levels of citric acid can break down mould spores and disinfect affected areas and the lovely fresh scent that it leaves behind is an added bonus.”
To do this, Andy shared: “Ideally you’ll need the juice of around three lemons.
“Spray this onto the affected area with a spray bottle, this will give you a much more even coverage as opposed to just pouring it on.
“Leave the juice to sit and break down the mould for around 15 minutes.
“Then take a soft sponge or cleaning toothbrush and scrub the area before rinsing with warm water. If there is still mould left over you can repeat the process a couple more times.”
Justin Carpenter, a residential housecleaning business expert and CEO of Modern Maids echoed Andy’s advice.
He revealed: “Squeeze fresh, undiluted lemon juice directly on to the area (about three to five lemons should suffice) and leave it for five to 10 minutes.
“Then scrub off with a brush or non-scratch sponge and rinse or wipe away.
“It works best if the mould sits on the surface of the grout and sealant — if the mould has penetrated into the silicone, the stain often remains, and you may ultimately have to rip it out and replace it.”
Can I use lemon juice instead of white vinegar for cleaning?
However, Andy said it’s important to note that this won’t work on stubborn or deeply embedded mould. Instead, it’s “best saved for surface level mould”.
How to Get Rid of Mould in Your Home
He continued: “Natural ingredients like lemon juice are much safer to use around the home if you have children or pets and they’re much gentler on surfaces so they’re less likely to cause damage but they can’t remove tough and stubborn mould in the way that bleach can.
“Other natural ingredients like white vinegar are likely to be stronger at killing tougher mould spores.
“It can also be used to prevent mould from returning but keep in mind that white vinegar is more likely to damage some surfaces if used often. It also has a stronger smell which can be unpleasant.”
Similar to Andy, Justin advised: “White vinegar is more effective than other natural cleaners at killing mould spores.
“Lemon juice, another common recommendation, will leave a fresher smell after cleaning.
“For heavier amounts, research shows cleaning using soapy water, followed by neat vinegar or lemon juice, is effective when combined with better ventilation and moisture control.”
He added: “Even more benign are acidic compounds like lemon juice, which are far kinder to lungs, skin and eyes than bleach or chemical sprays, and tend to be safer to use around children and pets.
“Their downside is that they’re less effective against mould.
“Bleach and specialist mould and mildew-removing products can also be used for severe or persistent problems, but lemon juice, vinegar and fresh air should be our everyday allies.”
