To clean mould properly, we need to match the cleaning method to the surface. Hard surfaces such as tiles and many window frames can usually handle more direct cleaning, while painted walls and timber need a gentler approach.

We also need to do more than remove the visible mould. After cleaning, the surface should be dried fully and the source of moisture — such as condensation, a leak or poor ventilation — should be addressed. Otherwise, mould can grow again.

Quick Guide: How to Clean Mould on Different Surfaces

The main rule is simple: clean the mould, remove the residue, dry the surface and deal with the moisture that caused it.

Before We Clean Mould: Find the Moisture Source

Mould needs moisture to grow, so cleaning the surface without looking for the cause can lead to the same problem returning.

We first check for common causes such as:

• condensation around windows

• poor bathroom or kitchen ventilation

• leaking plumbing

• roof or window leaks

• damaged grout or silicone

• damp walls

• high indoor humidity

RACV identifies condensation, leaks and poor ventilation as common causes of household mould. Regularly wiping window condensation and improving airflow can help reduce the conditions mould needs to grow.

What do we need to clean mould safely?

For a small household clean-up, we recommend having:

• rubber gloves

• safety goggles

• clean microfibre cloths

• clean water

• a soft detailing or grout brush where suitable

• a mould cleaning product suitable for the surface

• clean towels or cloths for drying

Queensland Health recommends gloves and eye protection during mould clean-up. For larger clean-ups, or for people with a pre-existing respiratory condition, it also recommends a P2 mask.

Important: Never mix cleaning products. In particular, never mix bleach and vinegar. Queensland Health specifically warns against this because mixing cleaning chemicals can create dangerous fumes.

How to Clean Mould From Window Sills

Mould around windows is often linked to condensation. Warm, moist indoor air reaches a cold window, forms water droplets and leaves the frame, seal or sill damp.

Over time, mould can appear around:

• aluminium window tracks

• PVC frames

• rubber seals

• painted window sills

• timber frames

• corners where water collects

How to clean mould from aluminium window sills

1. Put on gloves and eye protection.

2. Open the window where practical to improve airflow.

3. Remove loose dust carefully without dry-brushing visible mould.

4. Spot test your mould cleaner in a small area.

5. Apply the cleaner according to its label directions.

6. Give it the recommended contact time.

7. Wipe the mould away with a damp microfibre cloth.

8. For tight tracks, gently use a small brush while the area is damp.

9. Wipe away remaining residue with a clean cloth.

10. Dry the tracks, corners and sill completely.

We avoid aggressively dry-brushing mould because this can release spores into the air and spread them to other areas.

How to clean mould from PVC window frames

PVC frames are normally easy to wipe clean, but we still recommend spot testing.

Use a soft cloth rather than an abrasive scourer. Pay extra attention to seals, corners and tracks where condensation can sit.

Once clean, dry the whole frame rather than leaving water around the seals.

How do we stop mould coming back around windows?

Cleaning the window is only part of the job.

To reduce mould around window sills:

• wipe away condensation when it forms

• ventilate rooms regularly

• use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans

• avoid leaving wet window tracks

• consider humidity control where dampness is ongoing

• check damaged window seals or leaks

RACV recommends removing window condensation and improving ventilation to reduce moisture build-up.

How to Clean Mould From Bathroom Tiles and Grout

Bathroom tiles are different from painted walls and timber because glazed tiles are generally non-porous. Grout, however, is more porous and may hold staining or mould deeper in the surface.

Step 1: Remove soap scum and surface grime

Before treating mould, clean away obvious soap residue, body oils and dirt.

This helps the mould treatment reach the affected surface instead of sitting on top of a layer of bathroom grime.

Step 2: Apply the mould cleaner

Apply a suitable cleaner according to the product directions.

With our Leaf & Life Mould Spray, we recommend following the product instructions and spot testing whenever you are unsure about surface compatibility.

Avoid flooding the area. More liquid is not automatically more effective.

Step 3: Wipe or gently scrub

For glazed tiles, a microfibre cloth is often enough.

For mould in grout lines, use a small grout brush or soft detailing brush while the surface is damp. Work gently rather than aggressively dry-scrubbing the area.

Step 4: Remove residue and dry

Finish by removing the loosened mould and cleaning residue according to the product instructions.

Then dry the tiles and grout as thoroughly as possible.

What if black stains remain in grout?

A dark mark that remains after cleaning does not always mean there is still loose mould sitting on the surface.

Older grout can become badly discoloured. In some cases, it may need deeper cleaning, repair, resealing or replacement.

We also check cracked grout and damaged silicone because they can allow moisture to get behind tiles.

How do we prevent bathroom mould?

After showers and baths:

• run the exhaust fan

• open windows where practical

• allow the shower area to dry

• hang wet towels so they can dry properly

• remove ongoing soap scum

• fix leaking taps or pipes

• repair damaged grout and silicone

RACV recommends bathroom ventilation, repairing leaks, drying surfaces and maintaining grout as part of preventing recurring bathroom mould.

How to Clean Mould From Painted Walls

Painted walls need more care than tiles.

Before cleaning, we look at the condition of the wall.

Light mould sitting on intact paint may be suitable for careful surface cleaning. However, signs such as bubbling paint, peeling paint, soft plasterboard, large water stains or repeated mould in the same place can point to a moisture problem behind the surface.

How to remove mould from walls without damaging paint

1. Put on the appropriate protective equipment.

2. Do not dry-brush the mould.

3. Spot test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area.

4. Apply a small amount rather than soaking the wall.

5. Allow the recommended contact time.

6. Gently wipe the surface.

7. Use a fresh cloth as needed rather than spreading residue around.

8. Dry the wall completely.

Paint finishes vary, so the spot test matters. A cleaner that works well on one painted surface may affect the colour or finish of another.

Can we paint over mould?

We do not recommend simply painting over visible mould.

The mould should first be treated and the cause of the moisture should be found. If a leak, condensation or damp plasterboard remains, a new coat of paint does not solve the underlying problem.

Where the wall is damaged, soft or repeatedly wet, professional assessment may be more suitable than surface cleaning alone.

How to Clean Mould From Timber

Timber needs special care because it is porous. Too much cleaning liquid can soak into the wood, and different cleaners may affect stains, oils, varnishes or other finishes.

Always spot test first.

How to clean mould from sealed timber

1. Wear suitable protective equipment.

2. Avoid dry-brushing visible mould.

3. Test the cleaner on a hidden part of the timber.

4. Apply only the amount recommended by the product directions.

5. Do not saturate the wood.

6. Wipe gently with the grain.

7. Remove remaining residue as directed.

8. Dry the timber promptly.

9. Keep air moving around the area until it is fully dry.

What about unfinished timber?

Unfinished timber can absorb moisture much more easily.

Small areas may be suitable for careful cleaning, but mould that has deeply affected porous timber can be harder to deal with. Extensive mould, rotting wood or timber affected by ongoing water damage may need professional assessment or replacement rather than repeated surface cleaning.

Can clove oil be used for mould on timber?

Clove oil has been used in some mould-cleaning methods in Australia. ABC has reported experienced cleaners using carefully diluted clove oil on hard surfaces and timber, while also warning against using excessive amounts and against ingestion.

This is one reason we prefer a purpose-made product instead of guessing DIY clove-oil ratios.

Our Leaf & Life approach combines concentrated clove oil with organic coconut probiotic vinegar in a ready-to-use mould cleaning formulation. We use clove oil as part of our approach to treating mould rather than focusing only on bleaching away the visible colour, while the coconut probiotic vinegar helps us clean the affected surface.

We still recommend following the label instructions and spot testing delicate or unfamiliar materials.

Clove Oil vs Vinegar vs Bleach for Mould

There is no single cleaning method that suits every material.

Bleach deserves some clarification.

We do not recommend saying that bleach can never kill mould. Evidence and Australian guidance are more nuanced. Bleach can work in some situations on hard surfaces, but Queensland Health warns that it may not be effective at killing mould on porous surfaces.

It can also make a surface look cleaner without solving the condensation, leak or humidity problem that allowed mould to grow.

And again: never mix bleach with vinegar.

Why We Use Clove Oil and Organic Coconut Probiotic Vinegar

At Leaf & Life, we wanted a different approach to everyday mould cleaning.

Concentrated clove oil

We use concentrated clove oil as part of our mould-cleaning formula rather than relying only on a product designed to bleach away dark staining.

Clove oil is also used in some Australian mould-cleaning methods, although the amount and formulation matter. This is why we prefer a ready-to-use product rather than encouraging customers to make strong DIY essential-oil mixtures.

Organic coconut probiotic vinegar

Our formula also uses organic coconut probiotic vinegar to help clean the affected area as part of the overall formulation.

No DIY measuring

With a ready-to-use product, we do not need to measure essential oils, experiment with homemade ratios or combine different household cleaners.

That also helps avoid one of the biggest cleaning mistakes: mixing products that should never be combined.

Looking for a ready-to-use option? Shop our Leaf & Life Mould Spray for everyday mould cleaning around the home.

What Not to Do When Cleaning Mould

A few mistakes can make a mould problem harder to manage.

Do not dry-brush mould. Abrasive dry cleaning may release spores into the air.

Do not soak painted walls or timber. Extra moisture is the last thing we want to introduce into a porous surface.

Do not mix bleach and vinegar. Mixing cleaning chemicals can produce dangerous fumes.

Do not keep wiping every room with the same dirty cloth. Change or thoroughly clean cloths so mould residue is not moved from one surface to another.

Do not ignore the moisture source. Even a good mould cleaner cannot permanently stop mould if a wall, window or bathroom keeps getting wet.

How to Stop Mould Coming Back

Reducing moisture is one of the most important parts of mould control.

We recommend:

• wiping condensation from windows

• using bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans

• improving airflow through damp rooms

• drying showers and other wet surfaces

• fixing plumbing and roof leaks

• repairing damaged window seals

• maintaining grout and bathroom silicone

• using humidity control where persistent dampness is a problem

• allowing space for air to move around furniture placed against damp external walls

A mould cleaner can treat the affected surface, but no cleaning product can guarantee mould will never return if the moisture problem continues.

That is why we always think about mould cleaning as two jobs: clean the mould and control the moisture.

When Should We Call a Mould Professional?

DIY cleaning is not right for every situation.

We would consider professional help when:

• mould covers a large area

• mould keeps returning after cleaning

• there has been major flooding or water damage

• plasterboard is soft or damaged

• timber is rotting or badly affected

• there is a strong musty smell but no clear visible source

• water may have entered a wall or ceiling cavity

• the job is beyond what can be cleaned safely

• someone in the home is experiencing health effects that may be linked to mould

Queensland Health notes that water-damaged porous materials sometimes need to be removed rather than simply surface-cleaned, and people experiencing health effects from mould should seek medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to clean mould from window sills?

Use a mould cleaner suitable for the window material, wipe the affected area while damp and dry the sill and tracks completely. We also need to deal with condensation, leaks or poor airflow so the surface does not stay wet.

How do we remove black mould from window frames?

Spot test first, apply an appropriate mould cleaner according to its directions and wipe the frame with a clean microfibre cloth. Avoid aggressively dry-brushing the mould. Clean tracks and seals carefully, then dry the entire area.

Can vinegar remove mould from walls?

Queensland Health lists white vinegar among household options that can be effective for cleaning mould when used correctly. However, vinegar is acidic and may not suit every painted or delicate surface, so we recommend spot testing first. Never mix vinegar with bleach.

Can we use clove oil to clean mould?

Clove oil is used in some mould-cleaning methods, including methods reported by Australian cleaning professionals. Because concentrated essential oils can affect surfaces and may be harmful if misused or swallowed, we prefer a properly formulated product rather than making very strong DIY mixtures.

Can bleach kill mould?

Bleach can kill mould in some situations, particularly on hard surfaces. However, Queensland Health says bleach may not be effective at killing mould on porous materials. It also does not fix the moisture problem that caused the mould.

How do we remove mould without damaging paint?

Spot test first, use only a small amount of suitable cleaner and wipe gently instead of soaking or aggressively scrubbing the wall. If the paint is bubbling or the plasterboard is soft, investigate the moisture damage before treating it as a simple surface-cleaning job.

How do we remove mould from bathroom grout?

Clean away soap scum first, apply a suitable mould treatment and gently work the damp grout with a small brush where needed. Remove the residue and dry the area. Persistent staining may mean the grout needs deeper cleaning, resealing or replacement.

Can mould be removed from timber?

Small amounts of surface mould may be cleaned from suitable timber if we use minimal liquid and dry the wood quickly. Deep mould, rot or extensive water damage may need professional assessment.

Why does mould keep coming back after cleaning?

Usually because moisture is still present. Condensation, plumbing leaks, roof leaks, poor ventilation and high humidity can all create conditions for new mould growth.

Should we paint over a mouldy wall?

No. Treat the mould first and find the moisture source. Painting over mould without addressing the underlying problem can simply hide it temporarily.

How do we stop condensation mould around windows?

Wipe condensation away, increase ventilation, use exhaust fans in moisture-heavy rooms and investigate windows that remain unusually wet or have damaged seals. RACV recommends ventilation and regularly removing condensation to help prevent moisture build-up around windows.

Final Takeaway

The best way to clean mould depends on where it is growing.

We use a different approach for window sills, bathroom tiles and grout, painted walls and porous timber. Whatever the surface, the basic process stays the same: treat the mould carefully, remove the residue, dry the area and fix the moisture problem.

For a ready-to-use option, our Leaf & Life Mould Spray uses our clove-oil-based approach for practical mould cleaning around the home.