I tested best-selling mould sprays – a great value solution better than Dettol works on stubborn stains in just seconds

NOT only is mould unsightly, it can also be harmful to you and your family's health.

You're most likely to find it in the bathroom or kitchen as it's the result of poor ventilation and excess moisture in the home from appliances such as tumble dryers and stream irons.

Research by property firm Peter Cox found three in ten Brits have damp in their home and nearly half (47%) have experienced mould in the last year.

The standard advice is to keep rooms well ventilated by opening windows and to dry clothes outside.

But in some cases, this might not be enough to deal with the problem.

Fortunately, there are an array of products on sale now which allow you to eliminate existing mould.

Some claim to prevent new spores from growing too.

I tried some best-sellers to see how well they tackled mould. Here's what happened:

Kilrock Pro Mould and Mildew Remover

• £7, wickes.co.uk

Extremely effectively at getting rid of mould and it's super strength formula supposedly prevents mould from returning.

You can use on sealant, tiles, plaster, fibreglass and grout, but it's not suitable for use on enamel, wood, marble or granite.

I've tried lots of sprays to get rid of black on my white tiled shower previously but it never really came up clean.

This product got rid of the black entirely and it came up white and as good as new.

It did leave the sealant looking a little brown and it was sometimes difficult to spray without hitting materials it shouldn't, but the trigger spray was very easy to use.

It is quite strong so you'll need to keep the area well ventilated whilst in use.

• Mould removal: 9/10
• Ease of use: 7/10
• Value for money: 7/10
• Overall score: 8/10

HG Mould Remover Foam Spray

• £5.75, tesco.com

It doesn't look as fancy as the other sprays but this does the job and has glowing reviews on Amazon.

You can use on the bath, tiles and sink but not on metal or plastic, so it was a bit awkward trying to avoid stainless steel.

The trigger spray did leak a little but it's both affordable and reasonably effective.

Beware the formula smells strong and contains harsh chemicals so keep your windows open and use rubber gloves while you are cleaning.

• Mould removal: 8/10
• Ease of use: 6/10
• Value for money: 5/10
• Overall score: 7/10

Dettol Mould and Mildew Remover

• £4, waitrose.com

This spray works best in bathrooms, but you can also use it on ceramic basins, toilets, acrylic baths, showers, tiles, grout, chrome, stainless steel and plastic, making it a very handy product to have under the kitchen sink.

As well as getting rid of mould, it also kills 99.9 per cent of bacteria and viruses.

It left my bathroom pretty clean but it wasn't the best on mould and definitely needed several attempts to lift tough stains from tile grout.

The chemical smell was less than most so might be a good option if you are sensitive, but it does contain bleach.

• Mould removal: 5/10
• Ease of use: 7/10
• Value for money: 7/10
• Overall score: 6/10

Astonish Mould and Mildew Blaster

• £1.49, asda.com

A great budget product that was great for getting rid of mildew and mild cases of mould.

It was less effective on tougher stains.

You simply spray, leave for a few minutes then rinse or wipe clean.

You can use it on anything from tiles and concrete to sealant and glass so it was one of the most versatile.

My only gripe was the apple scent, which wasn't really strong enough to overpower the bleach underneath so you still need to ventilate the rooms you use it in.

• Mould removal: 9/10
• Ease of use: 10/10
• Value for money: 10/10
• Overall score: 9/10

Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover

• £4.75, sainsburys.co.uk

This is an extremely effective and powerful mould remover which got rid of mould in seconds, rather than minutes.

Its formula is very powerful and can be corrosive to metal so it will definitely irritate skin so please wear gloves and protective gear such as goggles while using.

It was the quickest and most effective I used and it got rid of tough mould and unsightly stains in one go.

All you do is spray, leave for 30 seconds and wipe it away.

It's affordably priced, can be bought in bulk online and easy to use. A great choice if your home has severe damp and mould issues.

• Mould removal: 10/10
• Ease of use: 10/10
• Value for money: 10/10
• Overall score: 10/10

Zinsser Mould Killer and Remover

• £7.09, crowndecoratingcentres.co.uk

The best thing about this spray was that it can be used on plaster, wood and wallpaper as well as bathrooms and kitchens so it's great if you are decorating or have damp in bedrooms too.

It's water based and the trigger spray makes it easier to use in hard to reach areas and you simply leave it to dry before painting over the top.

It has a subtle scent and the trigger function worked well, without leaks. So far, the mould hasn't returned.

• Mould removal: 10/10
• Ease of use: 10/10
• Value for money: 7/10
• Overall score: 8/10

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