How To Get Rid Of Black Mould

• What is black mould?
• What causes black mould?
• How to remove black mould
• How to prevent black mould
• Frequently asked questions
• Contact our team

Some types of black mould can release toxic chemicals into your home. When you spot any in your property, you must have it removed as soon as possible to protect your health. 

Here at ICE Cleaning, our mould specialists can get rid of every trace of black mould in your home, including from the surfaces and in the air. They are Dewpoint-accredited and will follow a 9-stage mould removal process to restore your property to a safe, clean condition.

Read on to discover more about the dangers of black mould and how to remove it from your home. 

What is black mould?

Black mould includes all types of mould that are black, dark green, or brown in colour. There are lots of different types of black mould that could grow in your home including Cladosporium, Alternaria, Aspergillus niger, and Stachybotrys chartarum. Stachybotrys chartarum is the most common type of black mould and is even known as "toxic black mould". You can find out more about black mould here. 

Some of these can release mycotoxins, toxic substances which can affect your respiratory and neurological systems and cause serious health problems including asthma, migraines, rashes, and depression. Exposure could even be fatal. 

If the black mould is not toxic, it can still produce irritants and allergens which may trigger an allergic reaction like sneezing, coughing, and a runny nose. 

What causes black mould?

Like all types of mould, black mould grows and thrives in areas that contain excess moisture. It is usually caused by high humidity, condensation, rising and penetrating damp, poor ventilation, leaks, and flooding.

Black mould specifically grows in very damp conditions, like on surfaces that have been wet for several days. It can grow anywhere in your home but it is normally found in the following areas:

• The bathroom and kitchen where lots of steam and humidity is produced
• On windows where condensation can make the window sill or window frame damp
• In areas that lack air circulation, like behind furniture or in the corners of room

How to remove black mould

Faced with a mould issue, many homeowners turn to common household products like bleach or vinegar in an attempt at self-remediation. However, these solutions fall short when it comes to eradicating the problem. 

Bleach, for example, cannot penetrate porous surfaces, like upholstery or wood, so mould that grows deep in its pores can evade treatment. It also tends to remove the stains instead of getting rid of all the spores so it may soon return. 

Mould remediation can be dangerous, too. Without personal protective equipment (PPE), you will be in close contact with the black mould and are more likely to inhale the harmful spores and toxic chemicals it could release. Scrubbing at it could even aggravate the mould and cause it to release more spores. 

DIY mould removal hacks don't address the underlying causes of black mould, either, so if you did manage to successfully get rid of all of it, the conditions that encouraged it in the first place could simply cause it to come back. 

You should always bring in mould removal professionals to remediate black mould. They will know the best ways to remove black mould and have the specialised tools required for a thorough, effective clean. Mould remediation professionals can give you peace of mind that your home is safe. 

Mould cleaners can even help you stop it returning, for example, our technicians will pinpoint what is causing the black mould in your home and advise on how to prevent it in the future. 

How to prevent black mould

Avoiding black mould in your home requires a combination of regular maintenance and careful monitoring. Here are some ways to keep all types of mould at bay:

• Keep humidity levels in your home below 50% with a dehumidifier
• Dry your property out as soon as possible after a flood 
• Regularly ventilate the property by opening windows
• Wipe away condensation on windows and other surfaces
• Install fans in kitchens and bathrooms to get rid of humidity when washing and cooking
• Have leaks fixed immediately
• Consider applying anti-mould paint to areas vulnerable to mould growth

Frequently asked questions

Can I remove black mould myself?

Professional cleaners are recommended for black mould remediation due to the risk of releasing harmful spores and to ensure that all of it has been removed.

Is black mould harmful?

Black mould can release mycotoxins that cause health issues ranging from skin irritation and nausea to breathing problems.

Contact our team

We have technicians stationed across the country who can provide our mould removal services. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In an emergency, they can be on site within several hours.

Get in touch with our friendly team by calling 0208 066 0360 or sending an email to enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to book a free site survey and get a no-obligation quote for our mould remediation services.