# How to Clean Mould off Walls | Get Rid of Mould on Walls URL: https://dublincleaners.ie/blog/how-to-clean-mold-from-walls/ > How to clean mould off walls safely, why it comes back, how to cut condensation in an Irish home and when black mould means a damp problem. Call 01 230 8646. How to # How to Clean Mould off Walls (and Stop It Coming Back) ![Lana, founder of Dublin Cleaners](/img/lana-founder-dublin-cleaners-96.webp)By [Lana](/author/lana/), Founder of dublincleaners.ieUpdated 14 November 2026 Quick answer **To clean mould off walls, open a window, put on gloves, a mask and eye protection, and wipe the patch with a damp cloth and washing up liquid** or a mould remover used as the label directs. Do not dry-brush it. Dry the wall fully. If mould returns within weeks, **treat the damp or condensation causing it**. Key takeaways - The HSE says mould spores can cause allergic reactions, and mould releases spores when temperature rises suddenly in a damp room. - The HSE advises using an extractor fan or opening a window when showering or cooking, and keeping internal doors closed. - The HSE suggests heating the main living room to 18-21°C and the rest of the home to at least 16°C, and never blocking wall vents. - Under the RTB's minimum standards, a rented home must not have damp and must have heating and ventilation the tenant can control. - The Health and Safety Authority's home chemicals leaflet says to read the label and never mix chemicals, which rules out bleach with other cleaners. - Mould that returns within weeks of cleaning, or sits low on walls or around a leak, usually points to a damp problem rather than condensation. - 18-21°C HSE advice for the main living room in winter HSE - 16°C Minimum for the rest of the home HSE - €95 Dublin Cleaners mould clean, one room, from Dublin Cleaners price list Learning how to clean mould off walls is the easy half of the job. The black spots wipe off a painted wall in minutes. The hard half is stopping them coming back, which means dealing with the moisture that feeds them. This guide covers both, using HSE advice on mould and condensation and the RTB’s rules for rented homes. ## Why does mould grow on walls? Mould grows on walls that stay damp, and in most Irish homes that damp is condensation. Warm, moist air from cooking, showers and drying clothes hits a cold surface and turns to water. Mould spores, which are always in the air, settle on that wet patch and grow. That is why mould appears in the same places: corners of outside walls, window reveals, behind wardrobes and on bathroom ceilings. These are the coldest surfaces with the least air movement. Dublin’s mild, wet winters keep them damp for months. The HSE explains that mould releases spores when the temperature rises suddenly in a moist room. That happens when heating comes on in a damp house, or when clothes dry beside a fire. ## Is mould on walls a health risk? Mould on walls can affect health, especially for people with asthma or allergies. The HSE says the spores mould releases can cause an allergic reaction. It lists mould and damp among asthma triggers and says moulds grow on walls and windows in damp houses. Anyone with asthma, allergies, a weak immune system or a breathing condition should not clean mould themselves. Ask someone else, or use a professional. Keep babies and anyone unwell out of the room while it is cleaned. If someone in the home has symptoms that seem to follow damp weather or a mouldy room, talk to a GP. This guide covers cleaning, not medical advice. ## What materials do you need? You need protection for yourself and a gentle, wet method that keeps spores out of the air. Here is the kit. Material What it is for Notes Rubber gloves Protecting skin Long cuffs if cleaning a ceiling Face mask (FFP2 or better) Reducing spores breathed in A paper dust mask is not enough Safety glasses Protecting eyes from drips Essential for ceilings Bucket of warm water and washing up liquid First wipe on any surface Works on paint, tiles and uPVC Mould remover spray Stubborn stains on hard surfaces Use exactly as the label says Disposable cloths Wiping, then binning Do not reuse on other surfaces Bin bag Bagging cloths straight away Tie it before carrying it out Dry towel or fan heater Drying the wall after The wall must dry fully ## How to clean mould off walls step by step Use a damp cloth, never a dry brush, so spores stay on the cloth instead of in the air. These steps suit painted plaster, tiles, window frames and sealed surfaces. 1. **Ventilate.** Open the window and close the door to the rest of the house. 2. **Protect yourself.** Put on gloves, a mask and safety glasses. 3. **Move things away.** Pull furniture back and cover the floor below with old sheets. 4. **Mist lightly.** Spray the patch with a little water so spores do not lift as you wipe. 5. **Wipe.** Use a cloth wrung out in warm water and washing up liquid. Wipe in one direction and fold the cloth often. 6. **Treat stains.** If marks remain, apply a mould remover exactly as the label directs. Never mix it with anything else. 7. **Bag the cloths.** Put used cloths straight into a bin bag and tie it. 8. **Dry the wall.** Leave the window open and heat the room until the surface is fully dry. Wallpaper, bare plaster and soft furnishings absorb spores, so surface wiping does not reach them. Mould on those, or across more than a small patch, is a job for a professional. Our [mould cleaning service](/mould-cleaning/) cleans surface mould from walls, window reveals, silicone and grout, from €95 a room or €120 for a whole bathroom. Bathrooms need extra attention because steam reaches every surface. If the mould is in shower joints, our post on [cleaning grout in the shower](/blog/how-to-clean-grout-in-shower/) covers that surface. ## Should you use bleach on mould? Bleach is not the best first choice for mould on walls. It whitens the stain on hard surfaces, but it can bleach paint, marks fabrics and gives off strong fumes in a small room. On porous plaster it can leave the wall looking clean while the damp that feeds the mould stays. If you do use bleach, dilute it, use it on its own and keep the window open. The Health and Safety Authority’s leaflet on chemicals at home says to read the label and never mix chemicals. Never combine bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners. Vinegar is often suggested online. It can mark painted plaster and is weak against established mould. A product labelled for mould, or warm soapy water, is more predictable. ## How do you get rid of mould on walls for good? You get rid of mould for good by keeping walls dry: less moisture in the air, more air movement and warmer surfaces. The HSE gives clear steps. Use an extractor fan or open a window when you shower or cook, and keep internal doors closed so damp air does not spread. The HSE also advises drying washing outside where possible, not storing clothes in damp cupboards and not packing wardrobes tightly. Its winter advice suggests heating the main living room to 18-21°C and the rest of the home to at least 16°C. It says never to block wall vents, because they are essential for air quality. Small habits add up. Wipe condensation off windows each morning, leave a gap between furniture and outside walls, and keep lids on pots. Our post on [winter condensation and mould in Dublin homes](/blog/winter-condensation-mould-dublin-homes/) goes into the seasonal pattern in more detail. ## When is mould a sign of a damp problem? Mould is a sign of a damp problem when it returns within weeks of cleaning, even with good ventilation. Condensation mould forms in cold corners and around windows. Damp from the building itself shows different signs. Look for these: - A tide mark or crumbling plaster low on the wall, which can mean rising damp. - A wet patch that grows after rain, often from a gutter, downpipe or roof leak. - Mould around a pipe, under a sink or behind a bath, which suggests a plumbing leak. - Peeling paint and a musty smell in one room only, even in dry weather. These need a builder, plumber or damp specialist to fix the cause. Cleaning the surface first is still worthwhile, because it shows quickly whether the mould returns. ## What should tenants do about mould? Tenants should clean small patches, ventilate well and report persistent damp to the landlord in writing. The RTB’s minimum standards say a rented home must not have damp. They also require proper heating and ventilation that tenants can control. Take dated photos before and after cleaning, and keep copies of any messages. Our guide on [mould in a rented house in Ireland](/guide/mould-in-rented-house-ireland/) explains who is responsible for what. For surface mould that keeps you from using a room, call Dublin Cleaners on 01 230 8646. Want a fixed price instead? Call 01 230 8646. Give us the bedrooms, bathrooms and area, and we will give you a price on the phone. [01 230 8646](tel:+35312308646)[Request quote](/contact/) ## Frequently asked questions What kills mould on walls? On painted walls and tiles, a mould remover used as the label directs, or hot water with washing up liquid, removes surface mould. Bleach whitens the stain but should only be used diluted, alone and with the window open. None of these stop it returning unless the damp or condensation is dealt with. Is black mould on walls dangerous? It can affect health. The HSE says mould spores can cause allergic reactions, and it lists mould and damp as asthma triggers. People with asthma, allergies or breathing problems should avoid cleaning mould themselves. If anyone in the home has symptoms that seem linked to damp, talk to a GP. Should I use bleach or vinegar on mouldy walls? Neither is the first choice. Bleach whitens mould on hard surfaces but can bleach paint and fabric, and must never be mixed with other cleaners. The Health and Safety Authority says never mix chemicals. Vinegar can mark painted plaster. A labelled mould remover or soapy water is safer. Why does mould keep coming back on my walls? Because the wall stays damp. In most Irish homes the cause is condensation from cooking, showers and drying clothes indoors, settling on cold outside walls. If ventilation and heating changes do not help, look for a leak, rising damp or a gutter overflowing outside, and get the cause fixed. Is mould in a rented house the landlord's responsibility? Often, yes. The RTB's minimum standards say a rented home must not have damp and must have proper heating and ventilation. Tenants are still expected to ventilate and heat reasonably. Report damp to the landlord in writing, with dated photos, and keep a copy. How much does professional mould cleaning cost in Dublin? Dublin Cleaners charges from €95 to clean surface mould in one room and from €120 for a whole bathroom, including walls, window reveals, silicone and grout. We clean the surface and give honest advice on the cause. Structural damp needs a builder or damp specialist. ## Sources 1. [HSE, Preventing allergic rhinitis (mould spores)](https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/allergic-rhinitis/allergic-rhinitis-prevention/) (2026-11-14) 2. [HSE, Living with asthma (mould and damp)](https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/asthma/managing-your-asthma/) (2026-11-14) 3. [HSE, Keeping warm in winter](https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/winter/keeping-warm-in-winter/) (2026-11-14) 4. [Residential Tenancies Board, Minimum standards for rental properties](https://rtb.ie/renting/rights-responsibilities/minimum-standards-for-rental-properties/) (2026-11-14) 5. [Health and Safety Authority, Use chemicals safely at home and in the garden](https://www.hsa.ie/media/1nfngryi/use-chemicals-safely-at-home-and-in-the-garden.pdf) (2026-11-14) ![Lana, founder of Dublin Cleaners](/img/lana-founder-dublin-cleaners-192.webp) About the author: [Lana](/author/lana/) Founder of dublincleaners.ie, Lana's company brings expertise in both residential and commercial cleaning services fostering a clean, healthy environment. Outside of work, you'll often find her hitting the gym or immersing herself in invigorating body balance classes.