I was quoted £520 to get my curtains cleaned after they were black with mould – but a 70p hack got them looking new
A CASH-SAVVY mum has revealed how she got her mouldy curtains looking brand new after being quoted an eye-watering sum.
The cleaning enthusiast, only known as @labouroflovereno, took to TikTok to share the hack that gave her white curtains a fresh look, without costing a fortune.
According to the home interiors fan, from Australia, she was quoted an astronomical $1000 AUD – or a whopping £520 – to remove the grim mould from the sheer white material.
But rather than paying the huge amount of money, the savvy mum decided to take matters into her own hands and found a simple way to tackle the problem.
The secret trick here, she demonstrated in a video on TikTok, was using a popular cleaning product that you can nab from the store for under a quid – regular household bleach.
Sharing the bargain trick, the Aussie wrote in the caption: ”It worked!
”Diluted white king detergent bleach in water at a ratio of 1:25 and soaked them for 5 mins, then back through the wash and they came out looking brand new.”
She went on in the comments: ”The mould was growing only on the section of curtain where the sliding door would’ve been left cracked open while the past owners slept, great for airflow but when it rained they would get damp.”
But despite the curtains now looking fabulous, not everyone agreed with her cleaning method – and some even warned others to steer clear of the hack.
One social media user said: ”Never mix mould with bleach, it’s toxic.”
Someone else agreed, writing: ”Bleach doesn’t kill mould. It’ll come back worse.”
”Ah girl you’ve just bleached the mould, didn’t remove it. A for effort though,” a third chimed in.
However, there were also plenty of those thanking the cleaning fanatic, with one writing: ”Wow what a good hack!!”
”I use bleach as well,” a second penned.
Meanwhile, others urged to stick to other alternatives, such as vinegar and clove oil.
Can vinegar tackle mould? Expert reveals
Cleaning expert, Laura Harnett, the founder of Seep eco-cleaning tools, said white vinegar is the key to stop mould form coming back.
Speaking to the Express, she said: “Most people think that bleach will remove mould, but it’s a harsh chemical to use in the home and it doesn’t kill the mould spores themselves so it’ll just keep coming back, especially if the condensation isn’t tackled.
“White vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties and will remove mould in an eco-friendly and cost-effective way.”
According to the pro, the acetic acid in white vinegar makes it ideal for banishing mould, and cleaning fans want to buy one that contains five to six percent of the acid.
To remove stubborn mould, mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of hot water – this should create a paste.
You can then use DIY mould killer to get rid of the grim stains and complete the process with a gentle scrub and wipe the area clean.
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it’s always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here’s how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You’re cleaning your carpet all wrong – here’s how to get it spotless again in no time
- Unblock a toilet without a plunger
- Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
- If you haven’t cleaned your mattress in ages, here’s how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
- Give your TV screen a once-over
- Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
- Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps