How To Remove Mould From Caravan Walls

Mould is an issue that homeowners across the globe have to deal with. Whether you live in a mansion on the beach or a caravan on, well, the beach, mould can pose a threat. But how do you deal with mould when it appears in your caravan, specifically in regards to mould on the walls?

To remove mould from caravan walls, you can apply vinegar to the affected area and remove it with a cloth. Alternatively, you may also use homemade solutions or specialised mould-killing spray to free your caravan walls from mould by applying and removing the mould with a cloth.

Mould is a leading cause of expensive damage and poor living conditions around the globe. Mould can form in a very short space of time and spread rapidly through spores around your home. As a result, mould needs to be dealt with urgently to stop the spread.

In a 2010 study into living conditions in the United Kingdom, it was found that 29% of homes had reported having a mould problem. This shows the widespread nature of mould in the UK and why you must know how to prevent and remove it.

Caravan walls are also prime breeding grounds for mould to form and spread. Many caravan walls contain wood, which, if exposed to the right conditions, will begin to rot and allow mould to take hold. As a result, a caravan is usually more vulnerable to mould than a home built from bricks or metal.

Continue reading for a breakdown of mould appearing in caravans. I’ll examine how mould gets into your walls, how you can prevent it, and the best ways to remove it from the walls safely. By the end of this piece, you’ll know all you need to know to keep your caravan entirely mould-free.

5 Reasons You Have Mould on Your Caravan Walls

Before I can get into the nitty-gritty of removing mould from caravan walls, it’s worthwhile first explaining how it got to be there in the first place. Knowing where mould comes from allows you to stop it from forming in the first place. Also, knowing how something forms often informs you on how best to treat it.

Here are 5 reasons why you have mould on your caravan walls:

Poor airflow
Excessive moisture
Poor lighting
Damage to the caravan
Locking up caravan without cleaning

See below for a breakdown of the reasons why mould has formed on your caravan walls:

Poor Airflow

If your caravan is closed up with no doors or windows open and people inside, the moisture from their breath will accumulate. The added moisture in the air from poor airflow will become condensation on windows and walls. This provides an ideal breeding ground for mould to form and spread.

Excessive Moisture

Mould and moisture go hand in hand. If you have excessive amounts of water inside your caravan due to humid air or any other source, it may allow mould to form. Mould can form in as little as 24 hours when excessive moisture is present in your caravan.

Poor Lighting

Mould likes to form in dark and damp conditions. Mould will not form or grow quickly on surfaces that receive a lot of direct sunlight. Therefore, mould is more likely to form on caravans that have the windows covered or have large dark areas.

Damage to the Caravan

One of the primary causes of mould forming caravans is damaged pieces. If any roofing or walls are damaged, water can pass through and allow mould to form. Damaged window and door seals may also allow water to enter the caravan, which may cause mould to form.

Locking Up the Caravan Without Cleaning

Many caravan owners will lock up their caravan during the cold winter months. However, before sealing up the doors and windows, it’s vital that you clean the entire caravan, including walls and floors, with an antibacterial multi-surface cleaner. After cleaning the caravan, dry the surfaces thoroughly.

If you don’t clean the caravan before putting it into storage, mould can form on the walls.

How To Remove Mould From Caravan Walls

Mould forms when there is a lot of moisture or water on your caravan walls. Given the fact that you usually wash surfaces using water, you may be wondering how you’re supposed to eliminate mould from your walls.

To remove mould from caravan walls, you can use a mixture of homemade cleaning solutions and mould-killing spray. You can also use vinegar to clean the walls.

See below for more information about the methods listed above:

Vinegar

Follow these steps to remove mould using vinegar:

Pour some vinegar into a spray bottle.
Spray the vinegar over the mould on the walls.
Leave the vinegar to sit for a minimum of 60 minutes.
Scrub the wall with a soft bristle brush.
Wipe with a wet cloth to remove the mould.
Dry the wall with a clean, dry cloth.

Vinegar is cheap, readily available, and most importantly, effective at removing mould. Vinegar is acidic, and it has qualities that can quickly kill most moulds and mildew. As an added bonus, vinegar also won’t cause severe harm or stains if it’s spilled in your caravan.

Mould-Killing Sprays

See below for how to remove mould from caravan walls using mould killing sprays:

Spray the mould-killing spray over the affected area.
Allow the spray to sink in for up to three hours.
Clean the surface with a wet cloth.
Dry with a clean, dry cloth.

Mould-killing sprays are a range of products designed to kill and remove mould from various surfaces and materials. Mould-killing sprays will usually provide you with the most reliable results and are highly effective at removing all types of mould.

Check out this great spray that you can use to remove mould available to buy on Amazon:

The Ecozone Ha4 Mould Remover is an all-surface mould remover that contains no bleach and is non-toxic. This mould remover is also vegan, safe for pets and prevents mould regrowth after removal. The antibacterial ingredients in this spray will also kill bacteria that allow mould to form.

Homemade Solution

Follow these steps to remove mould from your walls using a homemade solution:

Combine 1 part dish soap with 1 part warm water in a container.
Gently mix the combination until it forms a solution.
Cover the mould affected area of your caravan walls with the mixture.
Scrub the area using a brush, applying pressure for a few minutes.
Leave the mixture to sit on the mould for about 30 minutes.
Wash the wall with clean water and dry.

If you don’t want to spread vinegar around your caravan as it will likely leave an unpleasant odour, or you don’t want to spend money on a mould-killing spray, you can use a homemade mix. Making a homemade mould-killing solution is simple, and you likely have all of the ingredients in your caravan already.

You can also swap out the dish soap for bleach to remove the mould. Bleach will not only remove the mould but kill any excess bacteria. However, many people avoid using bleach on their walls due to the risk of staining other parts of the caravan and the fumes emitted from large quantities of bleach.

How To Prevent Mould on Caravan Walls

Removing mould from your caravan walls can be truly challenging, especially if the mould has had time to spread and cause damage. As a result, you’ll likely be searching for ways to stop the mould from getting hold in the first place. So is it possible to prevent it from forming on caravan walls?

To prevent mould on caravan walls, you must keep the caravan clean and dry at all times. On top of this, you should ensure that you have good airflow in the caravan and that all doors and windows have a waterproof seal to keep the moisture out.

The easiest way to prevent mould from forming is by keeping your caravan walls clean. Wash the walls regularly with antibacterial sprays or soap. This will prevent the mould from forming in the first place.

Mould and mildew love dampness and moisture. Therefore, if you want to prevent mould from forming, you should ensure that your caravan walls remain dry. To do this, you’ll need to ensure that there are no leaks in the caravan and make sure that you close the doors and windows when it rains.

Airflow is another major factor to consider when preventing mould from forming in your caravan. Mould does not fare well in a well-ventilated space. Therefore, you should open vents and windows when the weather allows. You can also add a table fan to enhance the airflow and keep the mould away.

Additionally, you should consider using a dehumidifier to relieve the caravan of excess humidity. Dampness and humidity create breeding grounds for mould, so a dehumidifier will help diffuse this by eliminating excess moisture particles in the air. The only downside to using a dehumidifier is the potential noise, but if you don’t mind this, it’s a great option for your caravan.

Should You Worry if You Have Mould on Your Caravan Walls?

By this stage, you’re well aware of how to prevent mould from getting hold and how to remove it from your caravan walls. However, you may be wondering at this point, what’s all the fuss about? Why is mould an issue in caravans, and should you worry if you find it in yours?

You should worry if you have mould on your caravan walls. If mould is free to grow for a long time on your caravan walls, it will cause structures to rot and decay. On top of this, certain species of mould can pose significant health risks to people, especially those with health conditions.

While you should worry when mould appears in your caravan, if you act fast, you likely won’t face any significant issues. Mould can easily be removed from caravan walls when it’s found early. However, if it is left untreated, it will continue to spread and cause irreparable damage to your caravan walls.
Damp, mould-infested conditions are linked to a variety of health issues. People living in mould-infested caravans will be more susceptible to respiratory infections and asthma and will likely suffer a weakened immune system. Therefore, removing the mould will improve living conditions for anyone staying in your caravan.