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Advice

Can I clean mould in my bathroom myself?

What the government's damp and mould guidance says you can deal with yourself, and when it points to a problem with the building.

  • 29 September 2026

In short

A very small amount of mould can be cleaned off yourself. The government's damp and mould guidance says most tenants can reasonably be expected to remove condensation and very small amounts of mould with an appropriate mould and mildew cleaner, and that larger areas should only be tackled by qualified professionals. Cleaning the surface does not stop it coming back: the cause, usually moisture that cannot escape, has to be dealt with.

This is a job for our Domestic cleaning service.

Small patches: yes, with the right cleaner

The government's guidance for rented housing providers, updated on 1 April 2026, says most tenants could reasonably be expected to remove condensation and very small amounts of mould using an appropriate mould and mildew cleaner. The Centre for Sustainable Energy, a charity, advises treating visible mould with a spray containing bleach, letting it dry and repeating, and treating an area at least a metre wider than the patch to catch invisible spores.

Larger areas: not on your own

The government guidance says larger areas of mould should only be addressed by qualified professionals.

Why it keeps coming back

The guidance is direct: "Simply removing surface mould will not prevent the damp and mould from reappearing." It says moisture from normal activities, such as showering, drying laundry and cooking, builds up in the air if it cannot be removed. Bathrooms are the obvious case, and ventilating when you bathe helps. If you cannot find the cause, the Centre for Sustainable Energy advises asking a damp specialist to survey the property.

If you rent

The guidance says landlords should identify and tackle the underlying causes of damp and mould, including building deficiencies, inadequate ventilation and condensation, and that it is totally unreasonable to blame damp and mould on "lifestyle choices". If mould keeps returning in a rented home, tell your landlord in writing.

What a cleaner can and cannot do

A regular bathroom clean keeps sinks, showers, baths and toilets clean and can keep light mould from taking hold. It does not cure damp, and SAS Cleaning does not offer damp or mould remediation. For the rest, see domestic cleaning and deep cleaning.

This is general information, not medical or legal advice.

Sources

  • Bathrooms
  • Mould

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