How to Keep Mould Off Your Home's Exterior in Brisbane's Humid Climate

Living near the bay means good sea air and, unfortunately, plenty of moisture for mould to work with. In my experience around Wynnum, Manly and Lota, salt, shade and humidity can all make painted walls, decks and outdoor areas need regular attention.

Start with an actual soft wash

A proper soft wash kills mould at the source with a chlorine-based, biodegradable solution rather than just blasting the surface — high pressure just scatters the spores around, so it comes back faster, not slower.

Give your garden some breathing room

Overhanging plants and hedges trap moisture right against the wall behind them. Pulling growth back a bit — especially on the shaded side of the house, which is where I see mould hit hardest in Tingalpa and Carindale — lets that wall actually dry out between wet days.

Stay ahead of it, not behind it

A wash once or twice a year keeps mould from ever getting a proper foothold, and it's a lot cheaper than letting it run for a few years and needing a repaint instead — see my notes on washing versus repainting.

One thing I'd steer you away from: don't reach for straight bleach. It can strip colour out of paint and do real damage to garden beds. A proper soft-wash solution gets the same result without the collateral damage.