It’s mould season here in Australia. Is that a weird thing to say? Can there even be a mould season? Perhaps, but it’s also not a wrong statement to make. After months of constant rain in parts of Australia, it seems like mould has found its way onto everything we own. The most annoying thing about spotting mould on our ceilings and walls is trying to figure out how to remove it.

If you’ve looked up at your ceiling and spotted mould, never fear, because in this week’s Ask LH we are going to show you how to remove it.

If there’s one thing you should know about mould, it’s that you shouldn’t ignore it once you first spot it on your ceiling.

Sure, you might be someone (like me) who wants to push your problems to the back of your mind but you’re playing a risky game if you let mould fester in your home.

Not only are there a bunch of health complications that come with mould exposure, but it’s also just super gross to look at.

There are a few ways you can remove mould from your ceiling so it depends on your circumstance on what method works best for you.

Remember: Always wear gloves when cleaning the mould. Not only are you using chemicals to clean it, but the mould itself can also be harmful to touch. Oh, and it’s always best to wear a face mask and goggles so you aren’t breathing in said mould and chemicals, or getting them in your eyes.

The good people over at Fantastic Cleaners Australia and Choice Australia have a few great suggestions on the best ways to effectively remove mould from your ceiling.

Note: Bleach is not always recommended for mould removal as according to Choice it needs to be at 10 per cent potency to be effective. Additionally, there is a risk of the bleach simply stripping the colour from the mould, instead of actually killing it. On elements like wood and plaster (relevant for ceilings), Choice reports that, at best, bleach can remove the mould from the surface but may not kill any growth building beneath.

And finally, on certain surfaces (like tile and grout) bleach can cause damage which may make the areas more susceptible to mould in the future. Not great. 

In any case, if it’s all you have and you are adamant that you would like to use bleach to clean mould, here is the guide on doing so, per Fantastic Cleaners.

If you’re looking for a more environmentally friendly alternative and don’t really want to use bleach on your ceiling, you can use white vinegar, baking soda and some essential oils.

Please do not ever combine vinegar with bleach – it will create a toxic gas.

Queensland Government also suggests the following:

If you want to avoid mould from returning and having to go through the removal process again, here are some handy tips on how to prevent it from coming back.

And if you want advice on how to clean mould off leather, we have a guide on that for you here.

If you’ve got a burning question that you need answering, send them to us and we will answer it! Your question could be featured on the nest Ask Lifehacker.

Ky Stewart is a producer at Gizmodo, Lifehacker and Kotaku Australia. He covers a wide range of topics including technology, entertainment, gaming, health and all things life. He is also a proud Dharug and Kamilaroi person. Ky is obsessed with all things pop culture, technology, the environment and knowing when foods expire. You can normally find Ky giving you life advice on random things you didn’t know you needed advice on and telling you all of his niche movie opinions.

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