Genius trick to banish mould 'more effective' than using bleach – and cheaper too

It's vital you clean mould as soon as it appears (stock photo) (Image: Getty)

This cheap and easy hack could eliminate mould in your home for good.

Mould is an unfortunately common sight in homes at this time of year. The fungus thrives in damp conditions, and if you live in an old or poorly ventilated home, you're likely to face a bit of dampness in the winter when temperatures drop, and it starts raining for days on end - or even snowing as it has been in parts of the country this week.

You can combat mould by keeping your house as dry as possible. Cleaning condensation off of windows and drying wet clothes in well-ventilated rooms are some ways you can do this, as excess water will create the perfect breeding ground for mould.

But if you've already spotted some mould in your home, then it's time to take action to get rid of it. Most people will reach for the bleach as soon as they see signs of the fungus, as the chemical is known to be effective at killing mould.

However, cleaning fans claimed there's actually one product that could be even better for getting rid of mould for good. What's more, it's cheaper to buy than bleach.

The hack was uncovered on Reddit after one user asked for help in removing a small patch of mould they spotted on the wall of their rental property.

They said: "I try to keep clean and the room ventilated but it's probably time to get a dehumidifier. A few months ago I got a new mattress and I found this spot of mould after flipping it. I do not know why this mold is growing and how to make it stop. I'm kind of worried it's bad for my health, but I cannot really move from the house. Any tips on how to clean it and make it stay that way?"

Some commenters recommended the traditional bleach method, but there were others who took a different approach - and told the poster to try using white vinegar instead.

After one person suggested using a hot cloth with a "spray bleach cleaner" to wipe the mould away, someone else replied: "You can also use vinegar, which is supposed to be safer and more (depending on the surface) effective than bleach."

Other commenters then told the poster to apply the vinegar directly without watering it down and cautioned they should pick one method or the other - as you should never mix bleach and vinegar together.

Many household bleaches are made with sodium hypochlorite, and when mixed with the acetic acid found in vinegar, this can create a potentially lethal chlorine gas. When cleaning, you should only ever use bleach or vinegar - and never both.

Commenters also offered other suggestions, such as using hydrogen peroxide to remove the mould. Someone else recommended Magic Erasers, which are small white sponges designed to lift stubborn stains from surfaces such as walls, sinks, and windows.

One person who dubbed themselves a former "mould remediation specialist" actually urged the poster not to use bleach at all, as they said it "isn't a fungicide", so it won't get rid of the fungus for good.

Instead, they recommended buying a cleaning product "formulated for mould".