If you have spotted mould in your grout lines, you are certainly not alone. Grout is porous, and when mixed with persistent dampness and inadequate ventilation, it forms the perfect breeding ground for mould to thrive. Lately, I have discovered some mould developing on my tile grout. While it is not excessive, the dark marks are unappealing and leave my whole bathroom looking grubby, even following a thorough deep clean.
Eliminating mould from tile grout proves challenging. I have attempted using household remedies such as white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, but have found them useless.
I had several mould-removal solutions at the back of my cleaning cupboard and decided to trial them to determine which worked best at tackling mould in tile grout. Having lately been delighted by Astonish Limescale Blaster for banishing limescale from my shower head, I opted to try Astonish Mould Blast Stain Remover, comparing it with HG Mould Remover and Mould Magic.
For tackling mould from my shower sealant, I absolutely recommend Mould Magic. The mould-removal gel, available from Must Have Ideas, currently retails at £12.99 for two tubes and promises to eliminate 100 per cent of the mould with one application. Astonish Mould Remover is available for £1.99 from Wilko and The Range or £2.99 from Lakeland, while HG Mould Remover can be found for £4.29 from Savers or £6 from B&Q.
The Testing Process
My tile grout mould appeared black and brown in some areas and yellow in others, with the most severe staining near the shower. I chose to test all three products on separate areas of the grout to make sure they did not interfere with one another. Before applying each solution, I put on rubber gloves and made certain the surface was completely dry so the solutions would not be watered down.
I then applied the Mould Magic gel to several of the mould spots in the corners. The gel has a thick consistency and glides effortlessly onto the surface, holding firm without dripping down the tiles. It also lacks the particularly overpowering smell that tends to come with similar products. Unlike the HG and Astonish sprays, however, Mould Magic requires time to work, needing to be left on for two to three hours. While this posed no problem for me, as I had plenty to keep me occupied, it could prove inconvenient for anyone seeking a speedy fix.
Next up was the HG Mould Spray. The formula is extremely foamy, meaning it adhered well to the grout, though it still trickled down the tiles after a few seconds. That said, I noticed a good number of the bubbles clung to the grout, which gave me confidence it would deliver results. The HG Mould Spray requires 30 minutes to take effect, so I set a timer and left it to get to work. The one drawback with this spray was the odour. It was by far the strongest-smelling of the three, with a distinctly bleach-like scent, though keeping your bathroom door and windows open should take care of that.
Next, I used the Astonish mould spray. This proved the most liquid of the trio, with a more watery consistency. The instructions state you can leave it on for a few minutes or up to 10 minutes for particularly persistent marks. I opted for the longer duration and observed how it rapidly trickled down my tiles after a couple of applications. I was not optimistic about its effectiveness, as the thin formula did not appear to cling to the grout, but I allowed it 10 minutes to take effect. The Astonish spray did not produce as powerful an odour as the HG product, though it still gave off a notable scent that could prove overwhelming for those with a delicate sense of smell.
The Results
The first spray I wiped away was the Astonish product. I had not held much expectation for this solution, given it was the most affordable and thinnest formula; yet, I was proved mistaken. As I removed the solution using a damp cloth, the mould disappeared in a single wipe, leaving my grout spotless and mark-free. My grout could have been slightly brighter, but that is not the product's intended purpose. I was astonished at how rapidly and effortlessly this performed, particularly as I had only left it on for 10 minutes.
Following this, I tackled the HG Mould Spray. This proved equally straightforward to clear, though I did give the spot a brief rinse with the shower head afterwards to ensure all the foam had been washed away. Prior to wiping the formula off, it was evident that the mould had begun to dissolve. The brown marks appeared watery, and with a swift pass of the cloth, they had vanished. I was equally impressed by how brilliantly white my grout appeared afterwards, which was a welcome surprise.
Mould Magic was the final formula I tackled. Using a damp cloth, I carefully wiped it away, making sure to remove every last trace. While I consider this formula excellent, it is not the easiest to clean off, as it can occasionally leave a gel-like residue on the tiles that will not rinse away with the shower head. On the whole, Mould Magic delivered on its promises; it shifted all the mould effortlessly and did not leave behind any overpowering odour.
The Verdict
All things considered, all three products perform brilliantly when it comes to tackling mould on tile grout; however, my top pick is the HG Mould Spray. I only needed to wait 30 minutes for it to take effect, and it left my grout looking as good as new with a crisp white finish, which was a pleasant bonus. It is not the most affordable of the three, but it is far easier to get your hands on than Mould Magic, which is exclusively available directly from the retailer.
Astonish is a great shout if you are after a speedy mould fix, though I felt it did not work as deeply as the HG Mould Spray, leaving the grout looking slightly discoloured. That said, at £1.99 it represents fantastic value and will certainly get the job done. I do rate Mould Magic highly and will keep using it on sealant, as I have yet to come across another product that can effectively tackle mould within silicone sealant. However, it is not the simplest product to remove once applied; it requires a lengthy wait, and purchasing it is not quite as convenient. Prices are accurate at the time of publication.
