How to Get Rid of Mould: A Serious DIYer’s Guide to a Pro-Level Clean

Finding mould in your home is frustrating, but for the proactive Aussie homeowner, the first instinct is often to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in. While some mould situations absolutely require professional intervention, a small, contained problem can be tackled yourself—if, and only if, you do it correctly.

Forget the myths about splashing bleach and hoping for the best. A true mould removal job requires a strategy. At AAA Mould Removal, we believe in empowering homeowners with the right knowledge. This guide is for the serious DIYer who is prepared to go beyond a simple wipe-down and tackle a small mould issue with the safety and techniques a professional would use.

Photo of a recent job carried out by AAA Mould Removal. This one cannot be done by DIYers, water damage like this needs professional mould remediation

The First and Most Important Step: Know Your Limits

Before you buy a single roll of tape, you need to assess the situation. This guide is only for mould problems that meet all of the following criteria:

• Size: The total area of visible mould is no larger than one square metre.

• Location: The mould is on a non-porous or semi-porous surface like painted walls, tiles, or sealed concrete.

• Cause: You have identified and fixed the moisture source (e.g., a small leak, condensation).

  
  

When to stop and call AAA Mould Removal immediately: If the mould covers an area larger than one square metre, if it’s on porous materials like carpet, insulation, or unsealed wood, if you smell a strong musty odour but can't see the source (a sign of a hidden infestation), or if anyone in your household has asthma, allergies, or a compromised immune system, do not attempt a DIY removal. The health risks are too high.

Your Pro-DIY Shopping List: Gearing Up for Safety

Safety and containment are what separate a successful job from one that spreads the problem. You can get everything you need from hardware stores like Bunnings or specialist safety suppliers like RSEA Safety.

Your Essential Gear:

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): This is non-negotiable.

  • A P2 or N95 disposable respirator mask to stop you from inhaling microscopic spores.

  • Unvented safety goggles to protect your eyes.

  • Disposable rubber gloves.

    
    

• Containment & Cleaning Supplies:

  • Thick painter’s plastic sheeting.

  • Good quality painter’s tape.

  • A spray bottle.

  • A bucket.

  • Disposable cleaning cloths or rags.

  • Heavy-duty garbage bags.

    
    

Step-by-Step: Your Pro-Level DIY Mould Removal Plan

Step 1: Hire an Air Scrubber This is the step most DIYers miss. An air scrubber is a powerful portable filtration unit that captures airborne mould spores. Go to your local equipment hire shop and rent one for the day. It’s the single best tool for preventing cross-contamination.

Step 2: Set Up Containment Before you touch the mould, isolate the room. Use plastic sheeting and painter's tape to seal off the doorway. If there are any air vents in the room, seal these off too. Place the air scrubber inside the contained area and turn it on.

Step 3: Put on Your PPE Now, get fully kitted out in your mask, goggles, and gloves before you re-enter the contained workspace.

Step 4: Clean with Mild Detergent You don’t need harsh, toxic chemicals. The goal is to physically remove the mould. Mix a simple solution of mild household detergent and water in your spray bottle or a bucket.

• Lightly spray the solution onto a cleaning cloth (not directly onto the mould, which can make spores airborne).

• Gently wipe the mould off the surface. Don’t use a scrubbing brush.

• Fold the cloth to a clean side for each wipe and place used cloths directly into a garbage bag.

• Once the visible mould is gone, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe the area down a final time.

  
  

Step 5: Let It Dry, Then Encapsulate Allow the cleaned surface to dry completely. You may be left with a faint stain, even though the mould is gone. To fix this, apply one or two coats of a quality, stain-blocking paint or primer. This is called encapsulation—it seals the stain and provides a clean, new surface that is more resistant to future moisture.

Step 6: Safe & Tidy Disposal Once the job is done and the paint is dry, carefully roll up all plastic sheeting and place it, along with your disposable cloths and PPE, into a heavy-duty garbage bag. Seal it tightly inside the room before taking it out for disposal. Let the air scrubber run for another few hours before turning it off and returning it.

When the Job is Too Big, Call in the Big Equipment

Following the steps above for a small area can give you a great result. But what about an entire wall, a ceiling, or multiple rooms? That's when the scale of the equipment and expertise matters.

The air scrubber you hire is excellent for a small room, but at AAA Mould Removal, we use commercial-grade machinery and negative air systems that move thousands of cubic metres of air per hour, ensuring complete spore capture in large or heavily contaminated spaces. We have the training to deal with deeply embedded mould and complex moisture issues that a DIY approach simply cannot resolve safely.

For larger jobs, trying to do it yourself without professional-grade equipment doesn't just risk failure; it risks making the problem exponentially worse.

The Takeaway: Getting rid of a small amount of mould is within the reach of a dedicated DIYer who respects the process. But for peace of mind, guaranteed results, and the safety of your family on any job larger than a square metre, don't risk it.

Contact the equipped and certified professionals at AAA Mould Removal for a comprehensive assessment and a solution that gets it right the first time.

About the Author

Michael Nguyen is the founder and lead technician at AAA Mould Removal, one of Australia's trusted mould remediation companies. With industry certifications including IICRC Water Damage Restoration, Applied Microbial Remediation, and Applied Structural Drying, Michael brings expert knowledge and proven techniques to every job.

He is also a licensed builder and carpenter, holding a Diploma in Building & Construction, which gives him a deep understanding of how moisture and structural conditions contribute to mould growth in homes and buildings. Michael specialises in residential and commercial mould removal, black mould treatment, water damage restoration, and structural drying.

Currently studying a double Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science and Environmental Science at Macquarie University, Michael combines scientific expertise with hands-on experience to deliver safe, thorough, and lasting mould removal solutions. His mission is to help homeowners and property managers maintain healthy indoor environments with professional mould remediation services across Sydney and surrounding regions.

Learn more at www.aaamouldremoval.com.au or call today for a free mould inspection and quote.