What makes these rooms different
Every shower and every pan of pasta puts moisture into the air, and when that warm, damp air hits a cold wall or ceiling it condenses. Over time that leads to peeling paint, mould spots in corners and around windows, and a generally tired look. Kitchens add grease, which makes it hard for new paint to stick if walls aren't cleaned properly first.
Which paint to choose
Most major paint brands make a kitchen and bathroom emulsion. These usually have a slight sheen, resist moisture better than standard matt and contain additives to discourage mould. A good durable matt can also work well in a room that's well ventilated.
For the woodwork – door frames, boxing-in around pipes, window boards – use a hard-wearing satin or eggshell trim paint rather than wall emulsion.
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Preparation is everything
Kitchen walls need degreasing before painting; sugar soap is the usual choice. Any existing mould should be treated with a fungicidal wash, left to work and rinsed, rather than simply painted over. Gaps around baths, worktops and windows should be sealed with the right sealant.
- Degrease kitchen walls and ceilings
- Treat mould with a fungicidal solution
- Fill and sand any cracks or holes
- Seal stains with a stain-blocking primer
- Let everything dry thoroughly before painting
Ventilation matters more than paint
No paint will stop mould forever in a room without ventilation. An extractor fan that actually gets used, a window cracked open after a shower and lids on pans make a bigger difference than any additive. If mould keeps coming back quickly, it's worth looking at ventilation and insulation before redecorating again.
