Removing mould with home remedies: What helps?
There are many remedies for dealing with mould, including home remedies. But what actually helps – and what doesn’t? Comparis provides the answers.
27.02.2026
iStock/Aygul Bulte
1. Removing mould with home remedies: how well does it work?
Mould spores are natural components of the air. They can also enter indoor spaces through ventilation and multiply in damp places. Removing the mould there can be difficult.
Do you want to avoid using chemical agents and combat mould with home remedies? There are many recommendations for home remedies for combating mould. However, not all natural anti-mould remedies are effective.
Important: You should only remove minor mould infestations yourself. Hire a specialist or a painting company if the infestation is more extensive.
Many guides recommend removing mould with vinegar. However, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) advises against this practice. The reason: Many building materials neutralise the acid in the vinegar. This can sometimes even be beneficial for fungal growth. The same applies to vinegar essence.
Baking powder and baking soda are not the same thing. Baking powder is a mixture of bicarbonate of soda, starch and acid. This means that baking powder has additional ingredients that can provide a breeding ground for the mould. Using the home remedy baking powder against mould is therefore not recommended.
However, you can use baking soda to remove small amounts of surface mould. baking soda, however, to remove small spots of superficial mould. This is because it acts as a fungicidal agent.
Mix one part soda or baking soda with one part water to create a paste. Apply it with a cloth or an old toothbrush and rub it in. Leave the paste to take effect for at least 20 minutes. Wipe away the residue with a wet cloth.
Important: The baking soda mixture may scratch sensitive surfaces, such as marble. So first test the home remedy somewhere inconspicuous. Baking soda is usually unsuitable for silicone joints and natural stone.
According to the FOPH, alcohol helps against mould. However, it must be 70–80% ethyl alcohol. You can get it, for example, in pharmacies. You can also buy methylated spirit at hardware stores.
First check somewhere discreet whether the alcohol damages the surface. Clean the affected area first with a mixture of water and household cleaner. After that, you can disinfect the site with the alcohol.
Important: Alcohol is highly flammable. It’s best to work with the window open. Avoid open flames.
If there’s mould in the shower, yeast is suitable for removing it. Yeast to remove it. Dissolve the yeast in water. Then rub the solution over the full affected area. Leave the yeast on for about ten minutes. You can then wipe it off.
Good to know: You often have to treat the same area with yeast several times until you see the desired effect.
2. What chemicals can remove mould?
The FOPH advises removing mould with bleach. To do this, first clean the mould with a mixture of water and regular household cleaner. You can then disinfect the affected area with bleach.
Contact with bleach solution can can cause serious reactions such as burns and irritations. When removing mould with bleach, it’s therefore important to follow these rules:
Keep bleach away from children.
Use gloves and avoid contact with eyes. If bleach gets into your eye, rinse it thoroughly with water. After skin contact, you should clean the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.
Don’t mix or store the bleach with acids or acidic detergents. This can produce toxic chlorine gas.
Don’t mix the bleach with ammonia. There is a risk of explosion.
Always store the bleach in the original containers. Follow the instructions on the label.
Before treating the full surface, first test it on a concealed area, to see whether the chemical damages the affected material.
You can find more information on bleach on the FOPH website.
Many commercially available mould removers are based on chlorine. It removes the mould and bleaches the treated area. Chlorine has a strong odour of its own.
First, test the chlorine on an inconspicuous area. Then use it according to the instructions on the bottle. You usually apply it to the mould and leave it to act for a while. Do not exceed the specified exposure time.
Important: Chlorine can irritate the airways and damage the eyes. It’s therefore important to ventilate the room well. Wear gloves, safety goggles and a mask as well. Wear old clothes or protective overalls.
In addition, do not mix the chlorine with other cleaning agents, especially acids. This can produce harmful chlorine gas. Fire and sparks can also lead to an explosion.
In some commercial mould removers contains hydrogen peroxide. Alternatively, you can buy a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution at the pharmacy.
Hydrogen peroxide is an alternative to chlorine. Unlike chlorine, it’s odourless. It also has a bleaching effect.
Spread the hydrogen peroxide on the mould, using a spray bottle, for example. Let it soak in for some time. Then remove the mould residue. In the case of a special mould remover, follow the instructions on the bottle.
Important: Always wear gloves, safety goggles and a mask when working with hydrogen peroxide.
Do you need professional help with mould removal? Or is a new coat of paint necessary after removal?
3. Frequently asked questions about home remedies for mould
Isopropanol is an alcohol, which is why it is suitable for removing mould. Make sure that the isopropanol has a concentration of 70% to 80%.
Before use, test the alcohol somewhere inconspicuous. Clean the affected area with water and household cleaner. You can then use the isopropanol for disinfection.
Important: While working, ensure good ventilation and avoid any fire. Alcohol is highly flammable.
No, vinegar is not good for combating mould. This is because many building materials neutralise the acid in the vinegar – and this can sometimes even be beneficial for fungal growth. Therefore, the FOPH advises against removing mould with vinegar.
Neither baking soda nor vinegar are suitable for removing mould. Both household remedies have properties that, in the worst case, can provide a breeding ground for mould to grow.
Share via:
This article was first published on 24.10.2024
