If there is mould in the room where your baby sleeps, move the cot to a dry room first, then find and fix the moisture before cleaning. Australian health guidance treats children and pregnant people as more vulnerable to indoor mould, and says they should avoid mouldy rooms until the problem is fixed and should not do the clean-up themselves. Questions about your baby’s or your pregnancy’s health belong with your GP, midwife or paediatrician; this page covers the home.
Act promptly, but there is no need to panic: the steps are practical and the cause is usually findable.
What the health evidence says
The Western Australian Department of Health’s 2024 review, Indoor Mould: Health Risk Assessment and Management, is the most thorough recent Australian summary. On babies, children and pregnancy it finds:
- Children. The evidence supports a causal relationship between indoor mould exposure and the development and worsening of asthma in children, and associations with other respiratory effects in infants, children and adults. The review notes children have immature immune systems, more contact with surfaces and less careful hand hygiene.
- Pregnancy. Some observational studies describe an association between mould exposure in pregnancy and poorer outcomes in offspring, but the review describes this evidence as limited in strength.
- Fertility. The review states the evidence base does not support a relationship between indoor mould, its mycotoxins and reproductive health; the studies that exist are laboratory and animal studies.
- Who should stay clear. Children and pregnant women are among the groups the review says should, where possible, avoid indoor settings with mould growth until it has been remediated, and avoid doing the remediation themselves.
NSW Health’s mould factsheet adds that people with asthma, allergies or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive, while most people will not experience health problems from contact with mould.
The sensible reading: reduce exposure where a baby sleeps and plays, keep anyone pregnant out of the clean-up, and take any symptoms to a doctor rather than guessing.
First steps, before you scrub anything
- Move the cot. A different, dry room is best while you investigate.
- Air the room. Open windows on dry days; cross-flow through the house helps.
- Photograph it. Wide shots and close-ups showing where the mould sits relative to windows, external walls and the ceiling. Useful for an inspector, an insurer or a landlord.
- Look for the source before cleaning. If the moisture isn’t fixed, the mould comes back.
- Don’t dry-brush or scrape. That puts spores into the air of the room you’re trying to protect.
Where nursery mould usually comes from
- Cold external walls in winter. South-facing bedrooms in double-brick homes condense on the top corners and behind furniture; see the double-brick cavity wall condensation guide.
- Well-sealed newer homes. Moisture from bathing, cooking and breathing has nowhere to go without good ventilation.
- Behind the wardrobe or cot pushed hard against an outside wall; see mould behind wardrobes and furniture.
- Ceilings below a bathroom or around window frames with perished seals.
- Musty smell at floor level in older timber-floored houses, pointing to a damp subfloor.
Who should clean it, and how
The WA review treats mould as “complex”, typically needing professional help, when growth is larger than 1 square metre, is in multiple rooms, keeps recurring, or comes from a building fault that is hard to repair. Smaller, simple surface patches can be cleaned by the household.
For a small surface patch:
- Not by anyone pregnant, and with the baby out of the room.
- NSW Health recommends a mild detergent or diluted vinegar solution, with diluted bleach for stubborn mould, plus gloves, safety glasses and good ventilation.
- Wipe, rinse and dry the surface; bag and bin the cloths.
- Let the room air out thoroughly before the cot goes back.
Leave it to a professional if the mould is beyond a small patch, has gone into plasterboard or timber, keeps returning, or you can’t find the source.
Soft toys, bedding and the cot mattress
Wash washable items that are visibly mouldy or smell musty on the hottest cycle the label allows and dry them fully. Items that can’t be washed and are visibly mouldy are usually best discarded. Items that were in the room but show no growth or smell can generally be aired and wiped.
When to bring in a professional
Get a mould inspection and moisture investigation when the mould is beyond a small patch, is in more than one place, returns after cleaning, comes with a musty smell and nothing visible, or you want the home checked before a baby arrives. An inspection uses moisture meters and thermal imaging to find damp behind linings and under floors, and gives you a written report with the cause and a scope of works.
If mould remediation is needed, plan for the baby and anyone pregnant to be away during the work, ask the contractor whether they will use containment, and ask for a specific, written re-occupancy point rather than a vague estimate.
If you rent
NSW Fair Trading’s guidance on mould in rental properties says the landlord is responsible where mould comes from a building problem such as a defective window not repaired in reasonable time or inadequate ventilation, and that tenants must tell the landlord or agent as soon as possible when they see mould or damp. Put the request in writing with photos. The NCAT mould claim guide covers what to record and how to escalate. This is general information, not legal advice.
Next step
Describe what you can see, which room it is in and your suburb on the contact form. The enquiry goes to an independent local professional who can say whether it needs an inspection first or can be scoped directly. For any health concern about your baby or your pregnancy, see your GP, midwife or paediatrician.
Frequently asked questions
Is mould in a baby’s room dangerous?
The WA Department of Health’s review finds indoor mould exposure can cause and worsen asthma in children and is associated with other respiratory effects. Move the cot away from mould, fix the cause, and take any health questions to your GP or paediatrician.
Is mould exposure dangerous during pregnancy?
The WA review describes the evidence linking mould exposure in pregnancy to poorer outcomes in offspring as limited, but lists pregnant women among those who should avoid mouldy rooms and not clean mould themselves. Your GP or midwife can advise on your situation.
Can I clean mould myself if I’m pregnant?
The WA Department of Health’s review says pregnant women should avoid doing mould remediation themselves. Have another adult clean small patches, or arrange a professional for anything larger.
Does mould affect fertility?
The WA Department of Health’s 2024 review states the evidence does not support a link between indoor mould, mycotoxins and reproductive health, with existing studies limited to laboratory and animal work. Talk to your GP or fertility specialist about any concerns.
When can my baby go back into the room after mould removal?
Once the moisture source is fixed, the mould has been removed and the room has been aired thoroughly. After professional work, ask the contractor for a specific re-occupancy point in writing.