How To Get Mold Off Walls

Having mould growing on your walls and ceilings is not only unsightly, but unhealthy and unwelcoming! It only takes an inch of your wall for mould to make it its home and steadily grow before you find an entire top corner of your home blackened with fungus.

There could be one or more reasons behind the mould buildup in your home such as leakages, condensation or high humidity levels. These are the main causes of mould in the home which can be decreased by increasing the ventilation in your house. This means leaving your windows opened for longer periods and even keeping your front door or kitchen door open for a little while during the day. Nevertheless, if you do have mould growing on your walls and ceilings, fear not because it does not mean you have to start making renovation plans just yet. There are many methods you can use to remove mould and we're giving you two of the best, most reliable and easiest ones to choose from.

Method 1: Mould Removal using Bleach

Bleach is perhaps the best option for the removal of mould. Not only is it a good cleaning agent, but it also kills the mould and bacteria, sanitising the walls and ceilings to prevent mould from returning. Here's what you'll need when using bleach to clean your walls and ceilings:

Gloves
Bucket
Bleach (chlorine bleach is a good option)
Water
Dusting cloths
Ladder
Mask or scarf (to tie over your nose and mouth)

Step One: Put on the gloves, cover your nose and mouth with a mask or scarf and make a solution of one part bleach and ten parts water in your bucket. The gloves serve as protection for your skin as excess contact with bleach can cause skin irritation or burning, while the scarf will prevent you from inhaling the harsh fumes produced by bleach. It's also a good idea to keep all the windows open for maximum ventilation.

Step Two: Dip one end of the cloth into the solution and squeeze it gently to remove some of the water. Get up on your ladder and start wiping away the mould from your walls and ceiling, re-dipping other ends of the cloth until you have removed all the mould. Avoid using too much force to ensure damage-free wall and ceiling cleaning. You can make a fresh solution if the water gets too dirty or simply use more cloths. For any hard to reach places or intricate areas, consider using an old toothbrush to clean.

Step Three: As soon as your walls and ceilings show no traces of mould, take a dry cloth and press it against the damp areas to soak up as much moisture as possible. Avoid using plain water to rinse the wall as the bleach acts as a sanitiser and preventive for more mould growth.

Method 2: Mould Removal with Vinegar

Many choose vinegar over bleach or other chemicals because it is 100% natural and safe. It does not emit any dangerous fumes into your home like most chemicals do. Like bleach, it can also kill and prevent future mould growth, but only if applied regularly to areas prone to mould around your home. When cleaning with vinegar, gather these items and follow the steps:

Ladder
Spray bottle
White distilled vinegar
Scrubbing brush
Plain water and clean cloths

Step One: Pour the vinegar into the dry spray bottle (do not mix any water in it) and spray a good amount on to the mould-infested areas. Allow it to sit for an hour before you move on to the next step.

Step Two: Using a clean cloth soaked in plain water, wipe away the mould from the walls and ceilings. You can also use a scrubbing brush with firm bristles as it is more effective in removing hardened fungus and stains.

Step Three: Use a dry, absorbent cloth to soak up moisture by dabbing or pressing against the cleaned areas. Keep the windows open to dry the area quicker and allow the vinegar smell to go out.

Step Four: To help prevent mould growth using vinegar, ceiling corners and other areas where mould is likely to grow should be sprayed once or twice a week using the same vinegar in the bottle.

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Karen Saunders is a full-time Content Manager at Simply Maid. Her 8+ years of writing experience spans the fields of copywriting, sales copy, blogging, editing and paraphrasing. Some of her areas of expertise include house cleaning, health and fitness, lifestyle topics, home décor and interior designing, travel tips, dog-related articles, and product descriptions and reviews.