How to get rid of mould in a Maltese home (and stop it coming back)

Why Maltese homes are prone to mould

Mould needs three things: moisture, a surface to grow on and still air. Many homes in Malta and Gozo supply all three, especially between November and April.

• Humid air all year. Malta is a small island surrounded by sea, so relative humidity is high, particularly in winter and on still, overcast days.
• Porous limestone. Traditional houses are built from soft local limestone, which absorbs and holds water. Rising damp from the ground and rain penetration through older walls and roofs are common in townhouses and houses of character.
• Cold surfaces, little heating. Most homes have no central heating, so walls stay cool and indoor moisture condenses on them — especially external walls, corners and behind furniture.
• Sealed-up flats. Modern apartments are often airtight, with small windows onto shafts or internal yards. Showering, cooking and drying laundry indoors adds a lot of moisture with nowhere to go.

Cleaning small patches of mould yourself

Small areas — roughly the size of a bath towel or less — on a hard, sound surface can usually be cleaned safely at home. Protect yourself first: gloves, eye protection and a well-fitting mask, with the window open.

1. Lightly mist the patch with water so spores don't go airborne when you wipe.
2. Clean with a mould remover made for indoor walls, following the label exactly. Never mix products — bleach and ammonia or acids create toxic fumes.
3. Wipe with a disposable cloth and bag it immediately. Don't dry-brush or vacuum mould with a normal vacuum cleaner.
4. Let the area dry completely, ideally with a dehumidifier or the AC in dry mode running.
5. If the wall needs repainting, use an anti-mould paint only once the surface is fully dry and the cause has been dealt with.

Soft items are harder. Mouldy mattresses, upholstery and carpets often can't be saved by surface cleaning, and clothes need a hot wash where the fabric allows. If a wardrobe smells musty, empty it, clean the inside and leave the doors open for a few days.

Stop mould coming back: humidity and ventilation

Cleaning removes the mould you can see; controlling moisture stops it returning. These habits make the biggest difference in a Maltese flat:

If damp is coming from outside — a leaking roof, cracked terrace screed, failed balcony seal or blocked rainwater pipe — no amount of ventilation will solve it. That needs a repair first, then a mould treatment once the wall has dried out. Roof waterproofing before the autumn rains is one of the best investments a Maltese homeowner can make.

What a professional mould treatment involves

A mould removal job usually starts with an inspection: where the mould is, how far it has spread and what is feeding it. Expect a good Hero to ask about leaks, ventilation and how the room is used. A typical treatment includes:

• Protecting floors and furniture and containing the area.
• Removing surface mould with professional fungicidal treatments.
• Scraping off and disposing of affected plaster or paint where needed.
• Applying a stain-blocking primer and anti-mould finish once the surface is dry.
• Practical advice on ventilation, dehumidifiers or repairs to stop it returning.

Large jobs that involve finding and fixing a leak, replastering or treating rising damp in an old limestone wall cost more and may need a builder or a damp specialist. Photos of the affected areas and a short description of when the mould appears help Heroes give you an accurate offer.

For landlords and tenants

Mould is a frequent source of disagreement at the end of a lease. As a tenant, report damp early and in writing, with photos, and keep up the ventilation habits above. As a landlord, deal with leaks and structural damp promptly and consider providing a dehumidifier in rooms you know are prone to it. Who is responsible for what depends on your lease and on the cause of the damp, so check your agreement and, if in doubt, get advice from the Housing Authority or a legal professional.

Short-let hosts should be especially careful: a single musty bedroom shows up quickly in reviews. A mould check before the season and a dehumidifier in the property during the winter months go a long way.