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. Heres what youll need when using bleach to clean your walls and ceilings:
- Gloves
- Ladder
- Mask or scarf
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. Its 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.
Is Bleach The Best Thing To Clean Mold Off Walls
Related Articles
Mold is not only unsightly, it’s dangerous, and some people are allergic to almost all varieties. Some species of black mold are toxic for everyone. Removing mold from walls is easier when the mold is growing on a non-porous surface, such as tile, than when it’s growing on a porous one, such as drywall. In both cases, though, you need to kill the mold, and bleaching it isn’t always the best way to do that.
How To Clean Black Mold From Painted Walls
- Prepare affected area for cleaning.
Remove all furniture, decorative elements, and electrical equipment from the place. Dont forget to cover visible surfaces, like windows and floors with plastic sheets otherwise, youll have extra cleaning work.
- Disinfect the wall.
Simply pour a little bit of dishwashing liquid on a sponge dampened with warm water and clean the dirt or remains from the wall.
- Remove the mold.
In case the mold covers only a small area of the wall, then you should try the less aggressive approach and treat it with natural agents. Simply put a little bit of white vinegar in warm water and apply the solution with a sponge on the damaged area. Clean it, rinse with water, and wipe off the area with a dry towel.
If this doesnt work or the black mold has spread, then try with a standard mold remover. Just apply it on the affected area, leave it about ten minutes, and scrub well with a brush until the mold spots come off. Rinse the surface and dry it with a towel.
Also Check: How To Clean Mold From Leather
Vinegar And Borax Are Safer
Two common household items can do the same job as bleach with less potential for adverse health effects are borax and vinegar. Borax is a mineral generally considered safe unless ingested, and vinegar is completely safe. Vinegar’s odor is unpleasant to some people, but the smell disperses quickly. You can use these cleaners separately.
Mix a cup of borax with a gallon of water and spray it on the mold, followed by a spray application of full-strength vinegar. You can also make a one-step spray solution by mixing 2 tablespoons of borax in a 1/4 cup of vinegar and adding 2 cups of warm water. Wait an hour after application, then wipe the walls down again with a clean damp cloth.
Decision Time: Save Or Scrap
There are times when removing moldy drywall is safer, more effective, and less time consuming than cleaning it. If your drywall surface is soft to the touch, the moisture and the mold have taken their toll on its structural integrity. In this case, its better to remove the drywall, kill the mold on the framing underneath, allow it to dry, and start fresh.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Black Mold On Shower Grout
How To Remove Mold From Tile And Grout Walls
- Use a stiff scrub brush and a household cleaner to thoroughly scrub the mold off of the tiles and grout.
- If there are still stains on the grout after cleaning, you can use bleach or hydrogen peroxide to fade the stains. Apply the bleach or peroxide to the grout and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
- Another way to clean both the tile and the grout is with baking soda. Mix the baking soda with water to make a paste, use a cloth to spread the paste and the tile and a toothbrush to scrub on the grout.
- Regardless of which cleaning solution you choose, make sure to thoroughly rinse the tile and grout with water and dry completely.
- Apply a grout sealer to reduce the risk of future growth.
Know Your Mold And Mildew Types
Several types of mold and mildew can grow on your walls. Knowing which exists is crucial because it will determine how to remove mold from walls.
The two most common types of mold in houses are Penicillium, which looks like a white or cream color with fuzzy edges, and aspergillus, which has brown spores with dry patches surrounding them.
How do you know if there are high levels of mold within your living space? First, you should look for the discoloration caused by moisture damage- this may include peeling paint or wallpaper.
If you have any water stains near windowsills or baseboards, then these could be signs too! However, mildew usually occurs when damp surfaces stay wet for long periods and is most often found in bathrooms, pantries, or basements.
Don’t Miss: How To Remove Black Mold Stains
How To Use A Dehumidifier:
Different dehumidifiers have different capacities, so factor in the size and humidity of your room before you choose one.
Set up the dehumidifier in the dampest area of the house, like the bathroom or the basement
Consult your chosen dehumidifierâs manual for specific instructions
Set the dehumidifier with your ideal humidity level: this should be between 40% and 60%.
Be aware that the first few cycles that your dehumidifier goes through will be removing more humidity than later cycles: at first, it will be removing excess water that has built up over a certain period of humidity, whereas once it is running regularly it will be collecting lighter amounts of water to maintain an ideal humidity level
Clean Walls Clean Home
If you notice signs of mold growth on the walls of your home, youll need to take action before it spreads. It has the potential to cause health issues and structural problems to your property.
The most important thing to do is to fix the source of the problem to prevent mold growth. Then, depending on the size of the affected area, you can either clean the mold yourself or hire a professional.
Removing small patches of mold yourself is fairly easy. You can use readily available products such as borax, vinegar, baking soda, tea tree oil, bleach, and hydrogen peroxide. But, if mold covers a substantial area of a wall, you should seek expert help immediately.
About the Author
You May Like: How To Clean Mold From Drywall
How To Detect Mold In Walls
Cleaning mold on visible surfaces may not be easy but it is very much possible even without the of mold remediation experts. Of course, it is more advisable to seek professional when treating mold on walls but if theres a minor build-up on your walls, floors, or ceilings, you can get rid of it using common tools and cleaning supplies that you may already have at home.
But what if the infestation is inside your walls? How do you even know its happening?
Before you learn how to remove mold inside walls, you must learn how to detect it. Take note that mold spores are super tiny and not visible to the human eyes so they can spread throughout your house discreetly. And until you know the signs of mold build-up, the black mold could already be damaging your property and you are still clueless.
Alright. So how can you tell if the black mold is hiding inside your walls?
If youre like most homeowners whose walls are made of gypsum walls, also called drywall, you might be curious to know whether theres mold build-up inside. Experts recommend several ways:
Cut a large hole on your wall. This is perhaps the most definitive way of determining whether theres mold inside your walls. If there is, you will be tearing them down anywhere. However, there are drawbacks to this approach. First is that using a drywall saw can damage any electrical or plumbing systems if you unknowingly drill them. Be sure to have some plastic sheathing ready to cover that hole afterward.
Prepare Your Room And Clean The Walls
Once youre ready to start removing the mold from the walls, clear the area. Ensure that you remove any furniture, fabrics, and electrical equipment from the affected area. Then, cover the floor with plastic sheets for protection.
Next, use a damp sponge with dishwashing liquid and clean the affected area to remove any dirt.
We recommend that before you cleaning or treating the wall with any product, you put on protective gear. Safety glasses, rubber gloves, and a mask will protect you from exposure to the mold. You should also ensure that you open windows and doors while youre removing the mold.
Read Also: How To Remove Mold From Rocks
Remove Moldy Material If Possible
If the mold has damaged a small area of soft or fibrous material like carpet, ceiling tiles, or wall material thats not load-bearing , you can remove the material yourself and replace it. Just be sure to wear protective eyewear and disposable dust masks, gloves, and possibly protective clothing so you can ensure youre not bringing the mold into your living spaces.
How To Remove Mold From Drywall
Removing mold from drywall can be tricky because if drywall gets too wet, it is ruined. In fact, its often easier to cut out the infected section of drywall and replace it, rather than trying to treat the mold directly. If the drywall feels soft, its beyond saving. However if you do want to clean the drywall without removing it, heres what to do.
Youll need:
Method:
Step 1: Brush the mold off the drywall using the scrubbing brush. Try to remove as much as possible without getting the wall wet.
Step 2: Make a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Spray it onto the area until it is damp, but not soaked.
Step 3: Wait 10 minutes then use a medium-bristled brush to clean the wall using circular motions. Dont scrub too hard or youll damage the drywall.
Step 4: Wipe down the wall using household disinfectant wipes.
Step 5: Allow the wall to dry. In high-humidity environments, set up a box fan directed toward the wall to dry it as quickly as possible.
If the drywall is stained when dry, use a primer or stain block before repainting. Consider a mold-resistant paint to provide extra protection, and reduce humidity in the room to stop mold from returning.
Pro Tip: Learn How To Remove Humidity from Your Furniture and Textiles for Proper Moisture Control
Read Also: How To Handle Mold In Your House
How To Remove Mold From Painted Drywall
Step 1: Select a mold killing cleaning agent
The market has a number of options when it comes to cleaning agents.
Ranging from mild to potent, the options are available in both chemical and natural alternatives. Depending on the severity of black mold problems, you may go for a stronger chemical if needed. The main options are:
- Baking Soda: Create a cleaning solution with one part of baking soda added to five parts of water. It will be the mildest yet safest cleanser to use.
- Vinegar: Mixing vinegar with equal parts of water can be a slightly stronger cleaning solution. It is completely natural and safe when you have pets or children around.
- Detergents: Use detergents as per the directions on the bottle. These are completely safe to use with children or pets around.
- Bleach: Not everyone recommends using bleach as its fumes can be harmful to breathe in. However, it can be a strong effective cleaner that is safe for removing mold on drywall. Mixing one part of bleach with three parts of water can offer you a strong solution.
- Concrobium Mold Control: This is by far our most preferred way to clean mold. It not only kills the mold, but creates a protective barrier so no mold can grow back. Can be bought in a handy spray bottle and no mixing is required.
Step 2: Pour the cleaning solution into a spray bottle
Take your mixed cleaning solution and pour it into a spray bottle. Ensure that the solution is mixed thoroughly by shaking the bottle.
Step 3: Properly ventilate room
Products And Tools Youll Need To Get Rid Of Mold In Basement Areas
- Dusk mask or respirator: You dont need a medical-grade mask or a professional reusable respirator, but some sort of mask will protect you from the damaging effects of mold while working around it.
- Eye protection: When disturbing mold spores during cleaning or simply using harsh chemicals like bleach, youll want to keep your eyes protected.
- Disposable gloves: Handling mold and moldy material is reason enough to wear gloves, but it can also protect your skin from irritation when using cleaning products.
- Stiff-bristled brush: To effectively remove mold stains on porous or rough surfaces, you will need a brush that can scrub away mold without the bristles collapsing.
- Sponge: On softer or smoother surfaces, a disposable sponge may be all thats needed to stop mold spots from becoming more significant problems.
- Mold stain remover: Though not essential for actually removing mold, youll likely find a dark stain on the material that the mold was growing on and youll want a product to remove it. Plus, removing the old stains can make sure that you recognize new mold growth later.
- Bleach: A solution of 1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water is enough to kill mold on surfaces, according to the CDC.
- Cleaning bucket with measuring marks: Ensure the right measurements for your bleach solution with a good cleaning bucket.
- Spray bottles: Whether for bleach or one of the more natural solutions discussed below, a spray bottle will help you treat mold spots.
Don’t Miss: How Do You Clean Mold Off Concrete
Removing Mold From Cinder Block Walls With Borax
Borax is a trustworthy and effective cleaner thats well-known for its cleansing and deodorizing properties. Since Borax inhibits mold growth, its an excellent cleaning solution for removing mold from cinder block walls and other large areas. You dont even need to clean it off when youre finished.
- Scrub brush or bristle brush
Before you use one of our ways to clean cement of mold or mildew, vacuum all your moldy surfaces with a HEPA-certified vacuum minimize the number of spores that end up airborne. Mix the Borax and water in a bucket to create your cleaning solution.
Scrub any moldy surfaces thoroughly and remove visible mold particles. Let the Borax solution sit on the surface for a little while if you dont wash it off, it will inhibit future mold growth. Use this solution to stop moss from growing on bricks outside, too.
Black Mold On Drywall In Basement
Basements are one of the most common areas to find mold in a home. Due to the lack of ventilation and humidity, many people develop moisture in their basements that make it the prime breeding ground for all sorts of mold and bacteria.
Black mold is made of a toxic microfungus that can cause a host of health complications in humans. The sticky black spores of Stachybotrys chartarum are ingested or inhaled, leading to chronic respiratory problems and even the development of internal bleeding.
Basement drywall mold isnt just hazardous it also spreads fast. Removing the mold as and any traces of bacteria from your home as soon as possible is vital for protecting your property and health.
Read Also: How To Remove Mold From Blankets
When To Call A Professional To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Basement
Most basement mold cases are easy to tackle with the methods discussed in this guide, but major problems like hidden moisture leaks, floods, or ruptured pipes can lead to an explosion of mold growth in materials that have to be replaced. When you experience widespread mold, the job is better left to a mold remediation specialist.
Companies that maintain an American Council for Accredited Certification mold certification have the qualifications to safely remove moldy material and remediate mold on surfaces that cannot be replaced. Many of these businesses also specialize in basement encapsulation to prevent further problems from mold in basement areas.
Black Mold On Top Of The Drywall Paint
If the mold is on top of the paint, removal is simple.
- Step 1: While wearing gloves and a respirator to protect you from spores, use plastic to cover the floor.
- Step 2: Make a cleaning solution with half a cup of bleach to one gallon of water.
- Step 3: Apply this solution to the mildew and let it sit for at least fifteen minutes.
- Step 4: Next, wash the area with a small amount of dishwashing liquid and clean water, then rinse with water and dry completely. All signs of the mold should be gone.
Don’t Miss: What Can Get Rid Of Black Mold
