Quick answer
For a bathroom or kitchen ceiling that keeps getting black spots, a mould-resistant bathroom emulsion over a cleaned, dry surface is the right fix, and Johnstone's Bathroom Wall & Ceiling Paint is our pick: rated 4.6 stars across 8,257 Amazon.co.uk ratings, with a mid-sheen wipeable finish and 12 m² coverage per litre. For the coldest walls with persistent condensation, use Dryzone Anti Mould Paint. To keep your own colour, mix in Dryzone's 100 ml additive.
Anti-mould paint will not cure damp, but it stops mould taking hold on a surface that gets wet from condensation now and then. The paint contains a fungicide or a moisture-resistant film that makes the wall harder to colonise and easier to wipe. It only works on a surface that has been cleaned of mould and allowed to dry. The four options below, read on Amazon.co.uk on 15 October 2026, cover a high-street bathroom paint, a five-year mould-protection emulsion, a specialist damp-proofing paint and an additive for any colour.
Our picks
Pick 1 · Best for bathrooms
Johnstone's Bathroom Wall & Ceiling Paint, Brilliant White 2.5L
Best for: Bathroom and en-suite walls and ceilings with regular steam.
Check price on Amazon.co.ukThis is a bathroom emulsion built to shrug off steam and be wiped down, which is what stops mould getting a foothold on a ceiling above the shower. The listing describes moisture and stain resistance rather than a stated fungicide or years of protection, so on a wall that has grown mould before, add the Dryzone additive below. Clean the old mould, let the surface dry for a day, and apply two coats. The quick drying time means both coats can go on in one afternoon.
Pros
- Wipeable surface resists moisture and stains
- Quick 1–2 hour drying between coats
- Comes in colours, not just white
Cons
- Listing does not state a fungicide or protection period
- Mid sheen shows wall imperfections more than matt
Key specs (from the listing)
- Size:
- 2.5 L
- Finish:
- Mid sheen, wipeable
- Coverage:
- 12 m² per litre (listing)
- Dry time:
- 1–2 hours
- Base:
- Water-based, very low odour
- Colours:
- Range of shades
Pick 2 · Five-year mould protection
Dulux Easycare Bathroom Soft Sheen, Pure Brilliant White 2.5L
Best for: Bathrooms where you want a named mould-protection period on the tin.
Check price on Amazon.co.ukDulux's MouldTec claim is that the paint film itself resists mould for five years, which makes this the most specific promise among the mainstream emulsions. That protection applies to the paint surface: it will not stop mould growing behind it if the wall is damp. Use it after cleaning and drying the area, and keep the extractor fan running after showers. It suits a bathroom that is being redecorated anyway.
Pros
- States five years of mould protection on the paint film
- Moisture resistant
- Long-lasting white
Cons
- Fewer listing details on coverage and drying
- Soft sheen is not as wipeable as a gloss
Key specs (from the listing)
- Size:
- 2.5 L
- Finish:
- Soft sheen
- Mould protection:
- MouldTec, five years (listing)
- Moisture:
- Moisture resistant
- Technology:
- Chromalock protective barrier
Pick 3 · Best for stubborn condensation
Dryzone Anti Mould Paint, Brilliant White 1L
Best for: Cold outside walls, window reveals and corners that keep growing mould.
Check price on Amazon.co.ukDryzone makes damp-proofing products, and this is their paint for the worst spots: the corner of a north-facing bedroom, a window reveal, the ceiling over a bath with no fan. The listing says it works even against persistent condensation. A litre covers 10 to 12 m², enough for reveals and corners but not a whole room, so many people use it on the problem areas and a normal emulsion elsewhere. Clean and dry the surface fully before painting.
Pros
- Specialist paint from a damp-proofing brand
- Aimed at walls with repeated condensation
- Low odour
Cons
- Only 1 L per tin
- White only on this listing
Key specs (from the listing)
- Size:
- 1 L
- Coverage:
- 10–12 m²
- Odour:
- Low
- Strength:
- Professional strength (listing)
- Use:
- Walls and ceilings with persistent condensation
Pick 4 · Keep your own colour, Amazon Best Seller
Dryzone Anti-Mould Paint Additive 100ml
Best for: Anyone with a colour already chosen, or redoing grout.
Check price on Amazon.co.ukSpecialist anti-mould paints mostly come in white. This additive solves that: stir it into the emulsion, silk or matt you already have and the paint gains mould resistance for up to five years, according to the listing. Check the bottle for how much paint one 100 ml dose treats. It also goes into wallpaper paste and grout, which helps when you are retiling or repapering a damp room.
Pros
- Turns any paint you like into an anti-mould paint
- Also works in wallpaper paste and grout
- Lets you keep an exact colour match
Cons
- Must be mixed in thoroughly
- Only as good as the paint it goes into
Key specs (from the listing)
- Size:
- 100 ml concentrate
- Works with:
- Emulsion, vinyl, silk or matt paint; wallpaper paste; grout
- Protection:
- Up to 5 years (listing)
- Type:
- Mix-in fungicidal additive
Buying guide
Preparation matters more than the paint
Anti-mould paint fails when it goes onto live mould or a damp wall. Clean the area with a mould remover, rinse, and let the wall dry completely, ideally for at least a day with a dehumidifier running. Scrape off any flaking paint, fill cracks and lightly sand glossy surfaces. If the stain shows through, use a stain-blocking primer first. Two coats of anti-mould paint give a far better result than one thick coat.
Bathroom paint, specialist paint or additive?
High-street bathroom paints from Johnstone's or Dulux resist steam and wiping and suit most bathrooms and kitchens. Specialist paints like Dryzone's are made for walls that stay cold and wet for long periods, such as outside corners and window reveals. An additive is the answer when you want a colour that anti-mould paints do not come in. Many decorators use a specialist paint on the problem patches and a bathroom emulsion everywhere else.
Finishes and coverage
Sheen finishes are easier to wipe than matt and resist moisture better, which is why bathroom paints are soft sheen or mid sheen. Matt hides lumps and bumps better but marks more easily. Check coverage per litre against the area you need: a small bathroom with a ceiling usually needs around 2.5 litres for two coats, while reveals and corners need far less.
Who should not rely on anti-mould paint
Anti-mould paint is the wrong fix for rising damp, penetrating damp from a cracked render or blocked gutter, or a leaking pipe inside a wall. If the plaster is crumbling, the wall feels wet in dry weather or there is a tide mark low down, find the cause first. Painting over it will trap moisture and the paint will blister. In rented homes, persistent mould is a repair for the landlord to investigate, not just to paint over.
Questions people ask
Does anti-mould paint actually work?
Yes, on a clean, dry wall with occasional condensation. The fungicide or moisture-resistant film stops mould colonising the surface for several years. It does not work on live mould or a wall that stays damp from a leak or rising damp.
Can you paint anti-mould paint over mould?
No, clean the mould off first. Spray with a mould remover, rinse, then let the surface dry fully. Painting over live mould traps it under the film, and the staining comes back through within months.
How long does anti-mould paint last?
Most anti-mould paints and additives state around five years of protection, including Dulux MouldTec and the Dryzone additive. Real life depends on how wet the room gets. Good ventilation makes the protection last longer.
Is bathroom paint the same as anti-mould paint?
Not always. Bathroom paints resist moisture and wiping, but only some state a fungicide or mould-protection period. If mould has grown on the wall before, choose a paint that names mould protection or add a fungicidal additive.
Can I use anti-mould paint in a bedroom?
Yes. Water-based anti-mould paints are low odour and suitable for bedrooms, especially on outside walls and window reveals where condensation gathers. Let the room air for a few hours after painting before sleeping in it.