HG Mould Spray emerged as the best product for removing mould from tile grout in a head-to-head test against Astonish Mould Blast Stain Remover and Mould Magic. The test, conducted by Deputy Editor Millie Bull, found that HG left grout gleaming white after just 30 minutes, while Astonish worked in 10 minutes for a fraction of the price but did not penetrate as deeply.
Test setup and products
Three mould removal products were tested on separate sections of tile grout in a bathroom: HG Mould Spray (£4.29 from Savers or £6.50 from B&Q), Astonish Mould Blast Stain Remover (£2 from Sainsbury's or The Range, or £2.99 from Lakeland), and Mould Magic (£12.99 for two tubes from Must Have Ideas). The mould ranged from black and brown to yellow, with the worst areas near the shower.
Before application, the surface was dried to avoid weakening the treatments, and gloves were worn. Each product was left on for its recommended time: HG for 30 minutes, Astonish for 10 minutes, and Mould Magic for two to three hours.
Application and performance
HG Mould Spray had a foamy consistency that clung to the grout but trickled down after several seconds. It had a strong bleach-like odour. Astonish was the most liquid and ran off quickly, but still removed mould in one wipe after 10 minutes, leaving grout spotless though not perfectly white. Mould Magic, a thick gel, stayed in place without dripping and had no strong smell, but required a long wait and left a gel-like residue that was hard to rinse off.
According to Bull, "I wasn't expecting great things from Astonish, but I was swiftly proved wrong. Upon wiping the solution away, the mould was removed in a single stroke." However, she noted that HG "left my grout looking as good as new with a gleaming white finish, which was a pleasant bonus."
Verdict
Bull rated HG Mould Spray as the top pick due to its balance of effectiveness, speed, and finish. Astonish was praised as excellent value at £2, ideal for quick fixes. Mould Magic remains her go-to for silicone sealant mould, but is less convenient for grout due to longer application time and residue issues. All prices were accurate at the time of publication.
