Last update: 3 years ago
Constant condensation on your windows is a prime reason for window sill mould. It easily turns into a tenacious problem that has the potential to throw into despair even the most composed homeowner. Yet, despite the solution being time-consuming and requiring some safety precautions, it’s highly effective.
Here’s the how-to:
Cleaning supplies you need
The basic things you need for removing mould off window sills are::
- Gloves
- Bleach
- Rag
- Brush
- Plastic Tarp
- Garbage bag
Depending on the amount of mould and the time you’ll spend cleaning, you might need some more tools and some safety gear – rubber gloves, a pair of glass goggles and a face mask If the sills are made of wood, you’ll also need:
- Goggles
- Dust mask
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Paintbrush
You can replace the bleach with:
- Vinegar and ammonia solution;
- Vinegar and baking soda solution – even though it’s not effective after several minutes, its initial reaction is strong enough to deal with mild mould;
- Dishwasher soap;
How to clean window sill mould
- Equip with a safety kit – first off, make sure you won’t accidentally burn yourself with the acidic detergents. Put on rubber gloves to protect your hands. If you prefer to be extra careful, a pair of glass goggles from the convenience store will do the job, as well as a face mask for extra protection against inhaling the mould spores. You never know how much mould has accumulated and how long you will have to scrub it off.
- Safe-proof the cleaning area – in order to avoid splatters all over the place, put a plastic tarp or a large garbage bag under the window you are going to clean. The tarp is more appropriate since it can be positioned stationary on the ground, but if you don’t happen to have it, you can use a rubbish bag as well.
- Let air in – before you tackle the dirt, open the windows and ventilate the place. This way some of the mould spores will fall outside. Leave it open for the whole cleaning and then some – this way the detergent fumes will evaporate as well.
- Mix your cleaning solution and start scrubbing – pure bleach will be too strong, even if the mould stains have been quite persistent and it can damage the window. Therefore, dissolve one part of bleach in three parts of lukewarm water. Dip the brush into the solution and scrub away the mould. Afterwards, wipe away the scraped particles with the rag.
- Dry and wipe – take some time for the window sill to dry out and then scrub off the mould that’s still hanging there. Use the rag, dipped in clean water. Before you close the window, make sure you left the sill to dry completely.
- Sand the window sill – if you’re cleaning mould off a wood, then you have to use sandpaper to scrape the last remaining black mould. Remove the sawdust with your vacuum cleaner. It will take more time if the wood has been painted beforehand – you’ll have to prime and repaint it in order to completely restore its initial appearance.
- Dispose of the safety gear – remove the plastic tarp, fold it so that the dirt won’t fall off and throw it out in a garbage bag.
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Prevent the mildew from building up again
Even if you manage to get rid of the mould this time, if you don’t take any precautions it will slowly take back the lost territories. Therefore, make sure to keep the sills dry at all times, or at least whenever it’s possible. For example, if you apply caulk on the window edges, it will prevent any leaks from the outside environment and will deal with condensation drops right away.
Let’s not forget that having mould at your home may have some serious health and safety implications. According to the NHS having damp and mould in your home may cause “respiratory problems, respiratory infections, allergies or asthma. Damp and mould can also affect the immune system.” That’s why it’s important to tackle the problem on time because it has the potential to spread and the mould may infest other parts of your home.
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