EXPERT ADVICE

Steam causes high levels of humidity in a bathroom, which carries the risk of mildew forming, so it is important to prepare your walls properly and choose paint that is suitable. “Selecting the right bathroom paint requires more research than one would think,” explains Dulux colour expert Palesa Ramaisa: “It’s not just about the perfect colour. Bathroom paint must contain the right ingredients and possess the necessary properties to make it suitable for humid environments; ideally, it should also be easy to wipe dirt off. I recommend using a paint that is specifically formulated for bathrooms, such as Dulux Dampshield which is resistant to moisture levels up to 50%. This will help surfaces to withstand the onslaught of water, steam and moisture, and also eliminate mildew.

“If there is a problem with mildew and insufficient ventilation in a bathroom, use diluted bleach or a fungicide/ mildew remover to counteract it. Do this the day before you plan to paint so that the surface can dry out completely.

“Then prepare the surface by removing any peeling paint with a scraper and filling cracks or holes with a water-resistant filler. Wait until the surface is dry then sand it to a smooth finish. Thereafter, apply Dulux Waterproofing – an acrylic waterproof paint developed for use with a mesh membrane. Then paint your walls and ceiling with Dulux Dampshield – it’s water-based, low odour and cleans easily.

“Lastly, wipe bathroom surfaces regularly with a bleach solution or mould remover to reduce mildew.” >>

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