How to remove bathroom mould before the final inspection
Black mould around shower silicone is the second-fastest way to lose bond in Australia, especially in older units with poor ventilation.
Bleach-based supermarket sprays bleach the colour out of the spores but leave the root structure embedded in the silicone — within 48 hours the black returns and the agent will see it on inspection day. The correct approach is to kill, not bleach. Apply a hydrogen-peroxide mould treatment (3–6% strength) directly onto wet silicone, cover with cling film to prevent evaporation, and leave overnight. The next morning, scrub with a stiff nylon brush and rinse. If staining persists, the silicone itself is dyed and the only fix is to cut it out and reapply — a $40 job from a handyman that saves a $250 bond deduction. While you're in the bathroom, descale the shower screen with a citric acid paste (one tablespoon citric acid powder in 100 ml warm water), leave for 15 minutes, then squeegee. This removes the cloudy soap-and-mineral film that inspectors spot from the doorway. Tap aerators get a separate soak in white vinegar for an hour to clear flow restrictors of limescale. Behind the toilet, around the base, and at the floor-wall junction are the three points agents always check for urine stains, hair, and dust — clean these on hands and knees with a 50/50 vinegar solution. Replace mouldy or warped shower curtains entirely; cleaning costs more than a $15 replacement. Open windows and run the exhaust fan continuously after cleaning to prevent flash mould before the agent arrives. A bathroom that smells fresh and looks dry is half the battle won.

