What is mould, and how do I remove it?

There are thousands of different mould species found in the home. The most serious are those that release mycotoxins.

They can be inhaled, eaten or absorbed directly through the skin, which is why mould is treated as a health issue and not only a decorating one.

Mycotoxins can lead to poisoning, and in the long term can cause certain cancers and immunosuppression-related illnesses.

Asthma and other severe respiratory conditions can also be triggered by mould growth in the home.

Gloves, a mask and goggles. Mould removal itself presents a health risk, so treat it as a job that needs protection rather than a quick wipe down.

Shut the doors so spores do not spread through the rest of the home, and keep the windows open so the room you are working in stays ventilated.

Goggles and a mask matter most where you are cleaning above head height, such as ceilings and the tops of walls, where debris falls towards you.

Keep them well out of the way of children. Mould and mildew products can be very harmful if ingested.

The term mould describes fungi that thrive in damp conditions. There are thousands of different mould species found in the home, and the most serious are those that release mycotoxins.

Mycotoxins are extremely harmful poisons, which can be inhaled, eaten or absorbed directly through the skin. They can lead to poisoning, and in the long term can cause certain cancers and immunosuppression-related illnesses. Asthma and other severe respiratory conditions can also be triggered.

The first step is to identify and remedy the source of moisture. Mould treatments can only address the symptoms of dampness, not the underlying causes, which need to be properly understood and often require an independent chartered building surveyor who specialises in building pathology to investigate. Alongside that, remove mould promptly and daily, using mould and mildew cleaning products on hard surfaces and leaving them to dry completely.

Mould and mildew cleaning products are more effective and safer than bleach for hard surfaces. Whichever product you use, leave the surface to dry completely afterwards, and lock the products away out of the reach of children as they can be very harmful if ingested.

Mould removal itself presents a health risk. Wear protective clothing such as gloves, a mask and goggles, keep doors shut so spores do not spread, and keep windows open for ventilation while you work.

Larger areas of mould — a substantive part of a whole wall or ceiling — should only be addressed by qualified professionals. Absorbent materials such as carpets, soft furnishings and ceiling tiles might also need specialist cleaning, and it may be difficult or impossible to remove the mould from them completely.

Tell your landlord or managing agent about any mould that is causing you concern. Keep a dated record of what you have reported along with photographs of the affected areas, and continue removing surface mould safely in the meantime.