How To Stop Mould Growing On Walls Using Anti-Mould Paint

Mould can be seriously damaging, not only to your walls and the appearance of your home, but also to your health. We’re here to help you prevent these hazards in your home. Anti-mould paint provides a simple and effective way to stop mould growing on walls. Don’t wait until it becomes a problem – taking preventative measures can avoid the stress, work and potential hazard of treating or removing mould that’s already grown.

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to use anti-mould paint along with our best painting, prepping and aftercare tips.

What you’ll need:

Step 1. Order your paint

The first step is to choose your anti-mould paint and order the right quantity. Make sure you get enough for two coats, as the biocide in the paint will only be entirely effective with two coats. You can use our paint calculator to easily work out how much you need.

Although mould is most common in bathrooms, because it’s more exposed to damp and condensation, you can get mould in any part of your house. That’s why, at Homebase, we have a comprehensive range of anti-mould paints suitable for bathrooms, kitchens and more, and available in matt or silk finishes. Explore our range today and find the best anti-mould paint for you.

Step 2. Prepare your space

Before you start, it’s a good idea to lay a dust sheet to keep your floors and furniture protected against any paint spills. Depending on where you’re painting, you may also want to use masking tape along the edges of your wall. This helps you to get a fresh line where your paint begins and avoids getting any excess on adjoining surfaces. Anti-mould paint does not remove existing mould, so be sure the surface you’re painting is mould-free before you start painting.

Top tip: If you do find mould on your walls, read our guide on how to get rid of mould in your home.

Step 3. Apply your anti-mould paint

Firstly, you want to mix your paint thoroughly to ensure it’s good and smooth. You can do this using a stirrer, paint brush, roller or anything else you have to hand. Once your paint is a smooth consistency, it’s time to get painting. Rollers tend to be best for walls or other big, flat spaces, such as ceilings, while paint brushes are great for getting into the corners and ensuring full paint coverage. Empty some paint into a paint tray, coat your roller with paint and apply it to your wall. If you’re using a paint brush, you can just dip it straight into the pot. Give your wall one even coat of anti-mould paint and leave it to dry. Anti-mould paint tends to take roughly four hours to dry. Once the paint is completely touch-dry, come back for the second coat. If you’re painting over a darker or more vibrant colour, you may need to apply more coats until the original colour is no longer visible.

Once you’ve finished your final coat, be sure to leave at least 24 hours before you start exposing it to condensation again, i.e. if you’re using anti-mould paint in your bathroom, avoid showering/bathing or running hot water for the first 24 hours.

Step 4. Taking care of your paint

One of the joys of anti-mould paint is that it’s durable and cleanable. This means that, if over time it gets marked or stained, you can give it a good scrub without causing damage.

Finally, it’s important to remember that anti-mould paint will not work if you paint over it, so you cannot use it as a base layer for emulsion paint.

Now that you know how to use anti-mould paint, you can enjoy the peace of mind of mould-free walls for up to six years.