What to look for

  • A product made for the surface you're cleaning. The label says which surfaces it's safe on. Painted plaster, silicone, rubber and fabric all react differently.
  • Sold as a mould and mildew remover. Government guidance for England on damp and mould says these should be used in preference to bleach, for health and safety reasons.
  • The right form. A spray covers a wall quickly. A gel clings to seals and upright edges for the whole contact time instead of running off.
  • Clear safety instructions on the label: contact time, ventilation, gloves, and what not to mix it with.

Which type suits which surface

Type Good for Take care with
Bleach-free spray Painted walls and ceilings, wardrobes, larger flat areas Check the label before using it near fabric or on wood
Gel Silicone sealant around baths, showers and windows Rubber gaskets, unless the label says it's safe on rubber
Bleach-based spray Glazed tiles, grout, hard bathroom surfaces Coloured paint, fabric, carpet, and small rooms without ventilation
Anti-mould paint Repainting a wall after the mould is cleaned off and dry It slows regrowth on that surface but does nothing about the damp

Our picks

These are chosen by type and specs against the list above. We haven't tested them ourselves; the reasons say which spec puts each one here.

For painted walls

Ecozone Anti-Bacterial Mould Remover

Type
Bleach-free spray
Size
500ml

A bleach-free mould spray, the kind the government guidance prefers to bleach. The maker lists sealant, grout, shower screens and window sills rather than painted walls, so check the label and try it on a hidden patch of paint first. It comes in a 500ml bottle.

View on Amazon Manufacturer specs

For window seals and sealant

TidyBond Mould Remover Gel

Type
Gel
Size
220ml

A gel sits on a bead of silicone for the full contact time, including on the vertical edges of a window frame where a spray would run down the glass. It comes in a 220ml pack. TidyBond doesn't publish what's in it, so check the label for bleach and for the surfaces it suits, and keep it off rubber gaskets unless the label says it's safe.

View on Amazon

For bathroom tiles and grout

Dettol Mould & Mildew Remover

Type
Bleach spray
Size
500ml

A bleach-based spray, for glazed tiles and white grout only. It is sold as a mould and mildew remover but contains bleach, and the government guidance prefers mould and mildew products to bleach, so try a bleach-free one first and keep this for marks it doesn't shift. It comes in a 500ml bottle. Use it only with the window open or the extractor fan running, wear gloves and eye protection, and never use it with other cleaners, because some combinations give off toxic gas. Keep it off painted walls, coloured grout, rubber, wood, fabric and carpet.

View on Amazon Manufacturer specs

For repainting once it's clean

Siramico Coatings Anti-Mould Paint

Type
Anti-mould paint
Size
1 litre

Anti-mould paint, for walls and bathrooms where mould has been a problem. It comes in a 1 litre tin; check the coverage on the label against your wall. Paint over the patch only once the mould is cleaned off, the wall is dry, and you've dealt with the damp.

View on Amazon

Using mould remover safely

If anyone in your home has asthma, a lung condition or a weakened immune system, it's better that someone else does the cleaning, and they should stay out of the room. If you're worried about symptoms such as a cough, wheezing or skin rashes, speak to your GP, or use NHS 111 if you think you need medical help right now.

When a product won't be enough

The government guidance says very small amounts of mould can usually be removed with a mould and mildew cleaner, but larger areas should only be dealt with by qualified professionals. It also points out that removing surface mould on its own won't stop it reappearing. Get a professional in, or your landlord if you rent, rather than buying a stronger product, when:

  • the mould covers a large area, or several rooms
  • it comes back soon after cleaning
  • the plaster underneath is wet, soft or crumbling
  • the mould is growing inside silicone sealant, which means the sealant needs replacing

If you rent, take photos before you clean and report the mould to your landlord or housing association in writing. Read what your landlord must fix.

Step-by-step guides: black mould on walls, mould on window seals and mould on clothes in the wardrobe.

Mould risk checker Mould comes back while the air stays damp. Check whether your room's humidity and temperature put it at risk.

Sources

Checked 15 October 2026.