Black mould is a common issue during the winter months, growing on white uPVC window frames. It leaves unsightly black spots, and it’s essential to remove it as soon as possible. The culprit isn’t the windows themselves, it’s a combination of excess moisture, condensation and stagnant air.
Mould can grow anywhere, including on walls and ceilings, but when it appears on windows, it’s super simple to get rid of. Posting on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, Caroline Hunt said: “I just thought I’d share a tip with you after seeing a post about mould on window frames. This works on black mould regardless of where it is.
“Black mould is alkali and grows in certain pH environments. The opposite of alkali is acid. There’s no need to buy fancy cleaning solutions or treatments – just grab a bottle of white vinegar.
“Keep one of your used squirty bottles and decant the vinegar into it, and dilute with water if necessary. It’ll kill the mould for good.
“Spray the mould with it and wipe with a dry cloth. Repeat for a few days until any residual greyness is gone.”
Caroline recommended spraying the area regularly to prevent the mould from growing back.
The post garnered more than 350 comments from fellow group members, who thanked Caroline for her advice and shared their own thoughts and perspectives.
Jude Ongeri wrote: “I often use bleach, but I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Caroline replied: “If you use bleach on white uPVC frames or white plastic garden furniture, it’ll turn them yellow. Bleach is good for a lot of things, but not window frames.”
Dawn Quinn commented: “I have used this solution around my windows for years. Not only does it remove and prevent mould, but it also keeps spiders away. I presume they hate the smell.”
White vinegar can be purchased for as little as 35p per bottle and used for a variety of household tasks.
