The algorithm must know I live in a cold Victorian house, because when the nights draw in, all I seem to get advertised on my feed is mould remover. There’s one product in particular that keeps tempting me with drastic before-and-after pictures: Mould Magic Extreme.
I always thought this easy-squeezy gel looked too good to be true – it claims to magically de-mould everything from grimy showers to blackened washing machine rings. But when I spotted one of the first signs of the British autumn (a freckly bathroom ceiling), I decided it was worth a shot.
So, I roped in a couple of colleagues to try it out with me. Here’s what we really thought of this viral cleaning product.
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What is Mould Magic Extreme?
Pros
- Very effective mould killer, especially on silicone
- Gel clings to surfaces better than sprays
- Quick and easy to apply
Cons
- A little messy to wipe away
Mould Magic Extreme is a clear gel that promises to banish mould from practically any surface. You can use it on silicone, grout, walls, windows, furniture – even the seal around your washing machine or fridge. Just squeeze it onto the grotty area, wait two to three hours and wipe away. If any mould persists, go for another application.
The 'magic' ingredient is sodium hypochlorite, aka household bleach. Nothing new there – but the difference between this and your average mould spray is that the gel can cling onto surfaces. This allows the product to penetrate properly, over an extended period.
That means it won’t dribble off a vertical surface, or even the ceiling. It’s also how Mould Magic Extreme can claim to not just kill mould, but prevent it from coming back for good.
My Mould Magic Extreme review
Living in a damp-prone flat can feel like a constant battle against mould, so I was keen to see if this cleaner genuinely works. As well as trying Mould Magic myself, I also slipped a tube to two colleagues to test. They both live in big house-shares with very hardworking bathrooms.
My first impression of the product was how easy it is to use. The squeezable packaging and long nozzle make it ideal for getting into tight nooks and crannies, which also happen to be the places where mould loves to thrive.
I gave several infected areas in my bathroom a generous squeeze, watched a film and then came back to see the results. When I wiped away the gel, I was surprised to see the silicone seal and grout in my shower had been almost completely restored. The results weren't as perfect as the ads might have suggested (are they ever?) but they were still seriously impressive.
In my experience, sealant and grout are the areas where mould will stubbornly refuse to budge, no matter how much you scrub. I’ll definitely be using this product again in combination with my usual sprays, to keep those tricky areas of my shower looking fresh.
My only gripes were that the thick gel was a little messy to wipe up (the packaging advises gloves, face and eye protection), and it did have a lingering bleach-y smell. However, the odour was far milder than many sprays, probably because it doesn’t get airborne.
As for my other Mould Magic testers? “One good, generous squirt of this product cleared the mould right up,” enthused one colleague after using it on her sealant. “The overall effect it had on the appearance of my bath was actually amazing.”
My other tester saw a huge improvement after using a double application on his very grimy shower seal (no judgement), which had been neglected for several years. “You'd need a miracle to completely restore our worst areas,” he said. “But I was still surprised by how close it got. Unless our landlord suddenly starts maintaining the house properly, I’ll definitely buy this again.”
Both testers noted that they were using quite a lot of gel at once, so they wouldn’t expect a tube to last very long. As cleaning products go, Mould Magic Extreme is also on the expensive side (£19.49 for two tubes, though at the time of writing it's on sale for £12.99). But for the promise of a one-and-done solution that banishes mould forever, I’d say it’s worth it.
The Good Housekeeping Institute verdict
But does Mould Magic Extreme actually work long-term? As it happens, this product has also been officially tested in-house by the Good Housekeeping Institute experts and reader panel, and it has firmly earned our seal of approval with a score of 78/100.
“I was really impressed,” said one of our panellists. “The product worked much better than other mould remover products I have tried. I really liked that it was a gel and stayed put.” Another stated that they “definitely would recommend to friends and family”.
In fact, the vast majority of the Good Housekeeping Institute test panel said they would recommend Mould Magic Extreme to others and would continue to use it after the trial. Crucially, well over half told us the product prevented any buildup of mould longer term.
Is Mould Magic Extreme worth the money?
Mould Magic gel may be more expensive than your typical mould remover sprays, but it will restore the difficult areas that you might have given up on long ago. The results speak for themselves: we’ve seen it transform silicone seals that are almost black with mould back to their original white.
And even better, those areas are likely to stay protected long-term, holding back mould regrowth well beyond the initial application. As someone who battles mould frequently in the colder months, I’d say that’s magic worth paying for.
Shop Mould Magic Extreme gel at Must Have Ideas or eBay.
How to prevent mould in the first place
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – and that’s certainly the case when it comes to mould. Keeping your home dry and well-ventilated is the best way to stop mould in its tracks, so you won't need to worry about removing it in the first place.
As well as following our household team's advice on regularly 'burping' your home, some savvy investments can help you reduce damp and moisture in your home. From the best dehumidifiers to the window vacuums that suck up excess condensation or shower water in your bathroom, these are the GHI Approved tools that could make all the difference.
Sharp UD-P20U-W Portable Dehumidifier 20L
Score: 98/100
Score: 78/100
Score: 94/100
Jasmine is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. With a background in design, she is committed to sorting the good products from the great –and helping Good Housekeeping readers do the same.
Throughout her career, Jasmine has written extensively about product quality, craftsmanship and sustainability, and is passionate about consumer rights. She previously worked as a writer and researcher at the product longevity platform Buy Me Once.
If she isn’t reviewing the latest gadgets for your home, you can probably find Jasmine cooking elaborate meals or crafting something weird and wonderful!
