Mould is a persistent problem in many UK homes, but experts say an everyday item may be the simple solution
According to specialists, the answer might not lie in harsher cleaning products or costly equipment(Image: John Scott Leigh III via Getty Images)
Black mould remains amongst the most stubborn domestic problems facing households across Britain, stubbornly reappearing on tiles, shower screens and silicone sealant despite seemingly thorough cleaning efforts.
According to specialists, the answer might not lie in harsher cleaning products or costly equipment, but rather in a humble everyday tool available for as little as 80p: the basic bathroom squeegee. Within the majority of British homes, black mould typically stems from common varieties such as Cladosporium or Aspergillus, as opposed to the more hazardous strains people often worry about.
It flourishes in warm, moisture-rich environments, thriving on condensation that gathers on cold or inadequately ventilated surfaces.
The term “creeping” is frequently applied to black mould due to its apparent gradual progression along grout lines, corners and sealant, making unwelcome returns even following thorough cleaning. This persistence occurs because simply removing visible spores fails to eliminate the damp environment enabling its growth.
Those exposed may experience irritation affecting the eyes, skin and throat, whilst it can exacerbate asthma or provoke allergic reactions in susceptible people, though it seldom poses serious risk to otherwise healthy adults.
How a squeegee can help
A specialist in damp and mould from property maintenance company Aspect said: “Contrary to popular belief, it’s not about how often you clean, and using stronger products won’t stop mould from returning. Unless the conditions that allow mould to grow are addressed, it will keep coming back.”
By keeping a basic squeegee in the shower, homeowners can remove water from tiles, shower screens and grouting after washing. This eliminates surface moisture before it can settle, cool down and encourage mould growth.
The practice takes under 60 seconds but substantially cuts humidity on bathroom surfaces, especially throughout winter months when windows remain closed and extraction units may prove less effective.
Aspect recommends pairing this quick measure with adequate air circulation. Extraction units ought to operate for 15% to 30% of an hour following showering, whilst leaving the bathroom door ajar allows damp air to disperse into less humid areas of the property.
Damp towels shouldn’t be left lying about either, as wet materials release moisture back into the atmosphere, establishing ideal conditions for mould to re-establish itself.
Whilst bathroom usage represents the most frequent trigger for mould, Aspect cautions that ongoing black mould might signal concealed leaks within walls or beneath flooring. Under these circumstances, a qualified leak detection specialist ought to be contacted.
For numerous households, though, maintaining an 80p squeegee close at hand and regularly wiping down wet surfaces may prove sufficient to prevent black mould from returning.
