A cleaning influencer has shared a budget-friendly method for tackling stubborn bathroom mould that requires no scrubbing – just bleach, kitchen roll and patience. The trick, posted by Afelias Kitchen on TikTok, involves dampening kitchen roll, pressing it onto the mould-affected areas and pouring household bleach over it before leaving it overnight.
How the hack works
Start by dampening some kitchen roll or paper towels and pressing them firmly onto the mould, ensuring thorough coverage. Then pour a generous amount of standard household bleach over the damp kitchen roll so it can fully absorb the solution. Leave it overnight, and by morning the area should look clean.
Chlorine bleach is effective at disinfecting and lightening staining on tiles and some sealants. Spraying and immediately wiping often doesn't give it time to work, but laying kitchen roll over the area and dampening it with bleach helps hold the solution against the mould for longer, allowing it to penetrate the surface staining. The paper acts like a compress, keeping the bleach where it's needed rather than running down the wall.
Temporary fix warning
Afelia added: "Sharing this simple hack which can tackle mould growth on your sealant temporarily - we had a flood underneath our shower room a while back and the excess damp caused the sealant to go mouldy in such a bad way, I needed a quick and cost-effective solution and this 100% worked!"
She warned: "This is a quick fix, but if the problem persists, you should get the sealant replaced and get the underlying cause seen to to make sure you aren't leaving it to worsen. This is NOT intended as a permanent solution if you have recurring mould problems."
Safety precautions and prevention
When trying the hack, open a window or run the extractor fan to improve ventilation and prevent bleach fumes from affecting your health. Wear gloves, never mix bleach with other cleaners, and patch-test first to avoid damaging your bathroom. If you have concerns about mould, seek help from a professional.
To prevent bathroom mould, reduce moisture and improve ventilation. Run the extractor fan during showers and for 15–30 minutes afterwards, open a window or leave the door ajar to clear steam, and wipe down wet tiles and screens after use. Dry towels and bathmats quickly, keep the room warm to avoid condensation, clean grout and sealant regularly, and fix leaks fast to keep damp out of tiles and the wider bathroom area.
