After rain, mould can pop up almost anywhere and it's getting worse by the day in Townsville, preventing the opening of schools in the wake of the flood disaster.

While the north Queensland city starts cleaning up after record rain and floods, many are stuck trying to clean the fungi that is spreading across ceilings, walls, books, clothes and shoes.

Tips for mould removal Use vinegar, alcohol solution or clove oil

Use vinegar, alcohol solution or clove oil Use rubber gloves

Use rubber gloves Use a mask in case of dust or spores

Use a mask in case of dust or spores Wipe with paper towels

Wipe with paper towels Patch test on surfaces before cleaning

Patch test on surfaces before cleaning Ensure air flow

Ensure air flow Do not use bleach

It is thriving in the schools, with about 30 closed in the region from flooding, according to Tony Cook, the director-general of Queensland's Department of Education.

"Mould is our biggest issue," Mr Cook said.

"Over the next two days we will have teams and teams of people working in our schools working on the mould.

"Our aim is to progressively open our remaining schools over the next week or so.

"We are positive and ambitious about that."

Mould has taken over Lisa McMahon's Balgal Beach home, including her children's beds. ( Supplied: Lisa McMahon )

Homes thick with mould

The smell isn't pleasant, but mould can also be hazardous.

It has taken over both storeys of Lisa McMahon's Balgal Beach home, and little can be done to fix the problem until the roof cavity dries.

"The water started coming down through the fans, through the light fittings and smoke alarms," she said.

The clean-up isn't expected to begin until the McMahon's house dries out. ( Suppleid: Lisa McMahon )

"Because we lost power we didn't have any air movement, so the mould started to grow.

"It's that mould that you can taste, it gets into everything, it's disgusting.

"All the linen and pillows, cushions, bean bags and teddies … the couches, all of the kids' beds, teddies.

"Literally the whole house … even all the woodwork.

"It's pretty devastating."

This amount of mould grew on a Townsville toilet in a day. ( ABC News )

Mouldy smell becoming offensive

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) officers doorknocking the region have reported that mould is becoming worse by the day.

Mick Burley of the QFES said the area was already beginning to smell as the tropical sun hit water-logged homes.

"The mould growth will be significant and it'll start to increase as it all dries out," Mr Burley said.

Townsville Public Health Unit director Steven Donohue said for most healthy people it was just a nuisance.

But for some it can be dangerous.

It's recommended to use gloves and vinegar to remove mould. ( ABC News: Damien Larkins )

"People who have a specific allergy, people who have lung diseases including asthma may react," he said.

"If they are on chemotherapy or they've got diabetes or kidney disease, some of them are at higher risk of getting an opportunistic infection."

Tips for cleaning

The basic message is that mould is relatively easy to clean up.

It thrives on darkness and water and therefore drying things out and sunlight are ways to keep it under control.

Dr Donohue recommended wearing rubber gloves and a mask, and using diluted vinegar on a rag or paper towel.