Mould ‘won’t come back’ if you place 65p item along your window frames

Mould is a common problem in homes. It thrives in damp and warm conditions, so it is most commonly found in the bathroom, where condensation forms whenever you take a hot shower.

Getting rid of mould is a notoriously difficult problem. The fungus cannot be cleaned away with nothing but water, and usually requires a heavy-duty cleaner like bleach to properly kill the mould and stop it from coming back.

But according to one woman on Reddit, there is a foolproof way to get rid of mould and prevent it from coming back.

The woman said she had been dealing with mould in her home for “months”, and would end up having to clean it every other week before it inevitably returned. But she then found a hack that helped her get rid of the fungus for good.

She started by saying she no longer uses straight bleach on her walls, as she “read that mould has an outer layer that stops cleaners from working well”. She now scrubs with hot soapy water first, and then goes in with the bleach.

She said: “Now, I scrub with hot soapy water first, then hit it with a mix of bleach and water (one part bleach, three parts water). I let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse and dry.

“For the mould in grout or along the edges, I soaked cotton pads in the bleach mix and pressed them in for about an hour. Way more effective than just spraying and walking away.”

The woman said keeping things as dry as possible has helped defeat mould growth in her bathroom. But the strangest thing that has helped is putting one 65p kitchen staple in her windows – table salt.

She added: “I sprinkled a bit of plain salt (just regular table salt) around the window frame and along the edge where mould kept showing up. I saw someone mention it here and figured why not. Apparently it dries out the area and makes it harder for mold to grow. No idea if that’s the reason, but it hasn’t come back since.”

How to get rid of mould

1. Protect Yourself

• Wear gloves, a mask (N95 if possible), and goggles.
• Ensure good ventilation (open windows/doors).

2. Prepare Cleaning Solution

• For small areas: Mix one part white vinegar with one part water, or use undiluted vinegar.
• Alternatively, use a commercial mould remover or a solution of one part bleach with four parts water (never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners).

3. Clean the Mould

• Scrub the area with a sponge or brush soaked in your chosen solution.
• For porous materials (like ceiling tiles, insulation, or carpet), removal and replacement may be necessary.
• Rinse (if using bleach) and dry the area thoroughly.

4. Dispose of Contaminated Materials

• Seal mouldy items in plastic bags before discarding.

5. Prevent Future Growth

• Fix leaks or sources of dampness.
• Use a dehumidifier if needed.
• Ensure good airflow (use exhaust fans, open windows).
• Regularly clean and inspect areas prone to mould (bathrooms, kitchens).