A Quick PPE Checklist Before You Start Cleaning Mould

For many mould-cleaning tasks, guidance recommends using a P2 respirator that complies with the relevant Australian/New Zealand standard. P2 respirators are designed to filter at least 94% of airborne particles under the standard's laboratory test conditions, provided the respirator is worn correctly and forms an effective seal against the face. 

An N95 respirator may also be considered for particulate protection. N95 respirators are tested to filter at least 95% of airborne particles under their applicable US standard. While P2 and N95 respirators are certified under different standards and aren't exactly the same, they provide a similar level of particulate filtration. 

Read related article: What’s the Difference between P2 Mask and N95 Mask

However, simply wearing a respirator isn't enough. Fit matters. A poorly fitting respirator can allow contaminated air to leak around the edges rather than passing through the filter.

Before starting:

• Choose a respirator that is the correct size and shape for your face.

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for putting it on correctly.

• Perform a fit check each time you put the respirator on to check for obvious air leakage around the edges.

• Make sure facial hair, hair, jewellery or clothing doesn't interfere with the seal.

• Replace a disposable respirator if it becomes damaged, wet, visibly dirty or difficult to breathe through.

It's also important to understand what your respirator is designed to protect against. A standard P2 particulate respirator is designed to filter fine airborne particles, including particles around 0.3 microns (µm) in size under standardised testing conditions; it doesn't automatically provide protection against gases or chemical vapours. 

If you're using a mould remover, disinfectant or another chemical product, check the product label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for its specific respiratory protection and ventilation requirements.

PPE checklist #2: Protective gloves

Your hands are likely to come into direct contact with mould-contaminated surfaces, damp materials and cleaning products, so protective gloves are another important part of your PPE checklist.

For general mould-cleaning tasks, disposable nitrile gloves can be a practical option. Nitrile provides a barrier between your skin and contaminated material and is also latex-free, making it suitable for people who need to avoid natural rubber latex.

However, when cleaning products or disinfectants are involved, not every type of glove provides protection against every chemical. The appropriate glove material and thickness will depend on what you're using. Before starting, check the product label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for any specific glove or chemical-resistance requirements.

Read related article: How to Choose the Right Gloves for Chemical, Mould, and Cleaning Tasks

When wearing gloves:

• Make sure they're the correct size so they fit securely without restricting movement.

• Check for tears, punctures or other damage before use.

• Avoid touching your face, phone, door handles or other clean items while wearing contaminated gloves.

• Change them if they become torn, damaged or heavily contaminated.

• Don't wash and reuse gloves that are designed for single use.

• Remove them carefully after cleaning to avoid transferring mould or cleaning-product residue onto your skin.

Gloves can help reduce direct exposure, but they don't replace good hand hygiene. Once you've removed and disposed of your gloves appropriately, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Next, consider whether the cleaning task could expose your eyes to splashes, sprays or airborne debris.

PPE checklist #3: Eye protection

Mould cleaning can involve scrubbing, spraying and wiping contaminated surfaces, which may create splashes or disturb small particles. Wearing appropriate eye protection can help prevent mould-contaminated material, dust and cleaning products from getting into your eyes.

Consider wearing safety glasses or protective goggles. Goggles that provide coverage around the eyes may be particularly useful when there is a greater risk of splashing, such as when applying or rinsing cleaning solutions.

When choosing and using eye protection:

• Choose eyewear designed for the type of task and potential exposure.

• Make sure it fits securely and doesn't interfere with the seal of your P2 or N95 respirator.

• Check that the lenses and frame aren't cracked or damaged before use.

• If you're working with a cleaning or disinfecting product, check its label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for specific eye-protection requirements.

• Clean reusable protective eyewear according to the manufacturer's instructions after use.

Keep in mind that ordinary prescription glasses or sunglasses aren't necessarily a substitute for safety eyewear. They may leave areas around the eyes exposed and aren't necessarily designed to protect against splashes or airborne debris.

Once your respiratory system, hands and eyes are covered, the next thing to consider is protecting your skin and clothing, particularly for messier mould-cleaning jobs.

PPE checklist #4: Protective clothing or disposable coveralls

Mould cleaning can get messy, particularly when you're working with larger surfaces or in areas where your clothing could brush against mould-contaminated materials. Covering exposed skin and protecting your clothing can help reduce direct contact and make it easier to avoid carrying contaminants into other areas of the home.

For smaller cleaning jobs, long sleeves and long pants may provide suitable coverage. For jobs where there's a greater chance of contact with contaminated surfaces, you may want to consider disposable protective coveralls.

When choosing protective clothing or coveralls:

• Choose clothing that provides adequate coverage for the task you're performing.

• Make sure disposable coveralls are the correct size, allowing you to move comfortably without easily tearing the material.

• Keep sleeves and other openings secure where appropriate to minimise exposed skin.

• Check disposable coveralls for tears or damage before and during the job.

• Avoid walking through clean areas of the home in clothing or coveralls that have become contaminated during mould cleaning.

• Remove protective clothing carefully when you're finished to avoid transferring material onto your skin, everyday clothing or surrounding surfaces.

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the appropriate disposal of single-use protective clothing.

It's also important to remember that not all disposable coveralls provide the same level or type of protection. Some are designed primarily for dry particles, while others may offer limited protection against liquid splashes. Check the coverall's specifications and make sure its intended use is appropriate for the task.

PPE checklist #5: Suitable footwear

Footwear can be easy to overlook when preparing to clean mould, but the right shoes can help protect your feet and reduce the risk of slips, particularly when you're working around damp surfaces or cleaning solutions.

Choose fully enclosed, stable footwear rather than sandals, thongs or other open shoes. For wet areas or cleaning jobs where your footwear may come into contact with contaminated water or cleaning products, water-resistant or waterproof footwear that can be easily cleaned may be more appropriate.

If you don't have suitable dedicated shoes or boots, you could also consider wearing disposable shoe covers over enclosed footwear. Shoe covers can provide an additional barrier and may help reduce the transfer of mould-contaminated dust or debris from the work area to other parts of the home. Make sure they're suitable for the task and don't create a slipping hazard, particularly on wet floors.

Before you start, consider the following:

• Choose footwear with adequate grip, particularly when working on potentially wet or slippery floors.

• Avoid wearing footwear that is difficult to clean if it's likely to come into contact with mould-contaminated material.

• Check the cleaning product's label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) if there's a possibility of chemical contact, as specific protective footwear may be required.

• Avoid walking through clean areas in footwear or shoe covers that have become contaminated.

• Remove disposable shoe covers carefully after cleaning and dispose of them appropriately.

• Clean reusable footwear after the job and allow it to dry thoroughly before storing it.

For smaller household mould-cleaning jobs, you may not need specialised protective boots. The main priority is choosing footwear that's enclosed, secure and appropriate for the conditions you're working in, with shoe covers providing another option when additional coverage is useful.

Prepare the area before you put on your PPE

Before putting on your PPE and starting the clean-up, take a few minutes to prepare the area and gather everything you'll need. This can help you avoid walking back and forth between the affected area and clean parts of the home once cleaning is underway.

Start by removing unnecessary items from the immediate work area where practical. Keep children, pets and anyone who isn't involved in the cleaning away from the area until you've finished.

Before you begin:

• Gather your cleaning products, cloths, brushes, rubbish bags and other supplies so they're within easy reach.

• Read the cleaning product's label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and follow any instructions relating to ventilation, application and PPE.

• Consider how you'll ventilate the area, where appropriate, without unnecessarily spreading disturbed material into other parts of the home.

• Move or protect nearby belongings that could be exposed to splashes, cleaning products or mould-contaminated debris.

• Have a suitable waste bag or container ready for disposable gloves, coveralls, shoe covers, used cloths and other waste.

• Keep clean items separate from used or contaminated equipment.

• Plan where you'll remove your PPE once the job is complete so you don't have to walk through clean areas while still wearing contaminated protective equipment.

Once the area is prepared, put on your PPE before beginning the mould clean-up. Having everything organised beforehand makes it easier to keep the cleaning area contained and reduces the need to touch clean surfaces while wearing used gloves or other PPE.

Conclusion: Look beyond the surface when managing mould

PPE is only one part of managing mould. Cleaning the visible mould without addressing the moisture that allowed it to grow can mean the problem simply returns. Look for potential causes such as leaks, condensation, poor ventilation or ongoing dampness and address these wherever possible.

And if the mould is widespread, keeps returning, is hidden within building materials or follows significant water damage, it may be time to seek professional assessment rather than attempting to manage the problem yourself.