How to Remove Bathroom Mould Naturally (Without Bleach)

Mould needs moisture, warmth and something to feed on — soap scum and skin cells are plenty. The Gold Coast's humid subtropical climate supplies the first two for most of the year, so a bathroom that only gets a quick wipe can grow black spots in grout and silicone within weeks, especially through the wet season.

• Open a window and run the exhaust fan.
• Wear rubber gloves, and a mask if you're sensitive to mould or have asthma.
• Never mix cleaning products — especially bleach with vinegar or ammonia, which releases toxic gas.

1. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar.
2. Spray the mould until it's thoroughly wet.
3. Leave it for about an hour so the vinegar can work.
4. Scrub with a stiff brush (an old toothbrush works well on grout).
5. Rinse with warm water and dry the area completely.

Vinegar works on tiles, grout, shower screens and most painted surfaces. Don't use it on natural stone such as marble or travertine — the acid can etch the surface.

Clove oil is a long-standing Australian remedy for mould. Mix about a quarter of a teaspoon of clove oil with a litre of water in a spray bottle, mist the affected area, and leave it — don't rinse. It keeps working for days, which makes it useful on ceilings and walls where mould keeps returning. Clove oil is strong, so use it sparingly and keep it away from pets.

For stained grout, mix bicarb soda with a little water into a thick paste, spread it along the grout lines, spray with vinegar, let it fizz for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse. The bicarb gives you gentle abrasion without scratching tiles.

Bleach whitens mould on the surface, so it looks gone, but it doesn't penetrate porous materials like grout and silicone well — the mould often grows back in the same spot. It also leaves strong fumes in a small, enclosed room. Low-tox methods take a little longer but give a cleaner result without the harsh chemicals.

• Run the exhaust fan during every shower and for about 20 minutes afterwards.
• Squeegee the shower screen and tiles after use — it takes 30 seconds.
• Hang towels and bath mats to dry fully, and wash them weekly.
• Leave the bathroom door or window open when you can.
• Consider a dehumidifier in summer if your bathroom has no window.
• Have the bathroom cleaned regularly — weekly or fortnightly cleans stop soap scum building up into food for mould.

If mould covers a large area (more than about a square metre), keeps returning after cleaning, is growing behind silicone, or is linked to a leak or water damage, a surface clean won't fix it. Mould under silicone usually means the silicone needs replacing, and leaks need a plumber. If you're renting, report mould to your property manager in writing.

For mould that's built up but still on the surface, a deep clean resets grout, silicone and screens, and regular home cleaning keeps it away. Read our picks of eco-friendly cleaning products for more low-tox options.