How To Remove Mold From Bathroom Ceiling In 4 Steps
Are you suffering from mold on your bathroom ceiling? Have you once and for all made up your mind that its time to remove mold and mildew?
Unless you have a squad of cleaning ladies moving from room to room in your house daily, you may eventually experience a widespread household malady known as Stachybotrys Chartarum or the dreaded lack Mold.
It does not mean you are not a good housekeeper. This problem can occur anywhere with excess moisture combined with warm temperatures and little air circulation.
This article will discuss several common ways on how to get rid of mold on the bathroom ceiling and off different surfaces using everyday products found around the home.
At any time, you can scroll down to the bottom of this article and see a list of products that are mentioned in this post. Click View Products to jump to the section now.
How To Prevent Mildew In A Shower Ceiling
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Shower ceilings can provide ideal conditions for mildew and mold to grow. Mildew likes dampness, darkness and warm temperatures, all of which take place in the average shower on a daily basis. If left untreated, mildew can spread across the ceiling, gradually damaging it more and more, and affect your health. To prevent mildew from growing, remove the conditions that favor it, and make sure the rest of the shower area is free of growths, as well.
Tip
If your shower ceiling already has a mildew problem, spray it with the hydrogen peroxide solution a second time a few hours after the first time, and spray it a third time the following morning.
Wear a respirator while removing mold and mildew.
Dealing With A Moldy Bathroom Ceiling In Your Chicago Home We Can Help
Always think twice about a ceiling mold cleanup job. If the affected area measures more than 3 square feet or youre concerned about health issues, play it safe. Were here to help.
Our teams are industry-certified in all types of mold removal and remediation. We eliminate mold from popcorn ceilings in bathrooms, beamed ceilings in kitchens and vaulted ceilings in dining rooms.
For Chicagos trusted mold removal and remediation experts, call ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba: 773-647-1985
Why doesnt chlorine bleach kill mold on popcorn ceilings?
Chlorine bleach is only meant for use on non-porous materials. It kills surface mold, but it isnt effective against mold thats permeated a textured surface.
Why cant I paint over mold on a bathroom popcorn ceiling?
Painting over mold in a ceiling temporarily hides it, but it doesnt stop the mold from growing. Water-based paint makes the problem worse.
Why is mold in a bathrooms popcorn ceiling a health problem?
Mold growth produces mycotoxins. These dangerous substances enter the body through the lungs, eyes and mouth causing a variety of serious health issues.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Mold Out Of Car Carpet
How To Remove Mold From Bathroom Walls
Mold in bathroom walls can be tricky to remove because homeowners donât always notice it until it discolors paint. If your home produces a persistent earthy, musty odor, and stains or dampness on the wall, then you may have mold. And if this mold is inside the walls, you will likely have to get professionals to remove it, otherwise, you can follow the same removal process for getting rid of ceiling mold.
In some cases, when mold attaches itself to drywall, itâs best to take down the entire wall or a section of it to prevent spores from multiplying, especially if the wall is damp. If your drywall feels soft, itâs almost impossible to salvage. Then itâs no longer a question of how to clean mold in bathroom walls, but rather when to replace the section of wall.
If you have mold on wallpaper, then you should spray the area and immediately scrub it with a clean cloth or brush to remove the surface layer of mold. Lightly respray the area afterward, wait for ten minutes and then wipe it clean. Let it dry overnight without rinsing to kill lingering mold.
Mold thrives in damp environments, so controlling moisture in the following ways keeps it at bay from your bathroom:
What If The Mildew Is On A Textured Ceiling Or Wall
If the mildew and mold are on a textured ceiling or wall, such as popcorn ceilings, you will want to blot the surface rather than scrubbing with a brush.
In addition, if you are treating drywall, be sure to use the baking soda and vinegar solution of Borax and water solution as they will be less wet.
Also Check: Who Checks For Mold In Your Home
What Caused The Mold On The Bathroom Ceiling In The First Place
Before cleaning the mold, you need to do a little investigative work. If you dont solve the moisture issue that caused the mold to grow, the mold will keep coming back! If you cant determine the root cause of the problem, its time to call the professionals for a mold inspection.
Check out our post How to Choose the Best Black Mold Removal Company before you call anyone! We let you know all the questions you should ask before hiring a professional mold inspector. The company you hire should know all the correct answers to the questions in our article. If not, dont hire them!
Some questions to ask before cleaning mold include:
Read Also: How Do You Check For Mold In Your House
Gather Personal Protective Equipment
A key ingredient in many fungus-killing products is bleach. Because of that, youll want to collect protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and a face mask before getting started.
While it may seem a bit overboard, ensuring safety in the cleaning process is an investment in the health of you and your family.
Read Also: Can You Use Bleach On Black Mold
Baking Soda And Warm Water
Baking soda attacks mold by soaking up the moisture and using its texture to pull the spores up when you wash the baking soda off with a clean cloth.
Fill a spray bottle with warm water and add a tablespoon or two of baking soda. Spray it onto the surface and scrub it off. If this doesnt work, let it soak for a few minutes before scrubbing it off.
Cleaning Mold From Bathroom Ceilings Like A Pro
Jennifer worked for five years as a housekeeper in a large hotel chain. In that capacity, she learned how to clean just about anything.
Learn about our Editorial Policy.
Have you worked at cleaning mold from bathroom ceiling spots only to have them surprise you by coming back? To really get rid of mold, you have to not only clean it away, but you must also kill it. In problematic cases, it may even require replacing ceiling tiles or sheetrock.
Recommended Reading: What Level Of Mold Spores Is Dangerous
How To Clean Mold From A Bathroom Ceiling
What Is A Popcorn Bathroom Ceiling
The spray-on texture of a popcorn ceiling can hide imperfections in previous repairs and paint jobs. The material also filters noise, so its often referred to as an acoustic ceiling.
However, humidity settles into the tiny nubs and angles that cover the surface. It doesnt take long for mold to develop in a bathrooms popcorn ceiling.
Read Also: How Long Does Mold Take To Form
Removing Mold From Painted Or Wallpapered Walls
For mold on painted walls, try a natural remover like white vinegar, borax and water. Youll need a spray bottle and a few other items to scrub the walls.
- Combine two tablespoons of borax with 1/4 cup white vinegar and two cups of hot water in a bowl.
- Pour into a spray bottle
- Liberally apply on painted walls.
- Scrub thoroughly and wipe clean, then spray again and let sit for 10 minutes before wiping dry.
Best Mold Remover For Bathrooms: Tilex Mold And Mildew Remover Spray
Amazon
Who it’s for: People who want a mold remover for bathroom surfaces.
Who it isn’t for: People who want a mold remover for fabrics or other soft surfaces.
Showers and bathtubs are notorious for housing mold and mildew because of their humid, damp, and usually dark environment. To effectively kill mold in bathrooms, we recommend Clorox Plus Tilex Mold & Mildew Remover. Unlike many other shower cleaners, this product contains bleach and kills 99.9 percent of common bacteria, such as staph, strep, and athlete’s foot, without the need for scrubbing. The bottles Smart Tube technology also allows it to spray every drop and avoid waste.
For the best results when using this product, spray until the surface is thoroughly wet, let sit for five minutes, and rinse. Since this cleaner contains bleach, do not mix it with other cleaning products containing ammonia. The label recommends using it where there is proper ventilation, and you may also consider using a mask, protective eyewear, and gloves.
Price at time of publish: $20 for 2-pack
Product Details:
Also Check: How To Get Mold Out Of Towels
How To Remove Mould From Ceilings
If you already have mould on your bathroom ceiling, you cant do anything about preventing further mould before cleaning whats already there. The best way to remove mould from bathroom ceilings is to use a simple solution of warm water with detergent or a homemade cleaning solution of diluted bleach or white vinegar.Before you start cleaning the area, be sure to wear a protective mask and gloves so that you dont touch or inhale the mould spores. Wash the area with mild detergent and warm water and then let the area dry.If youre using diluted bleach or white vinegar to get rid of the mould, the process is a little different. To use the bleach solution, mix one-part bleach to one-part water and apply the solution with a cloth. To use vinegar, pour it into a spray bottle and spray it directly onto the mould. Leave it for an hour or so, and then wipe the area clean with water and wait for it to dry.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In Attics
Attics are prone to mold either because of leaks from roofs or window seals, or because poor ventilation is allowing condensation to build up. Therefore treating those problems is always the most important step you can take to avoid getting mold in your attic, or to prevent it from coming back. Once youre sure your attic is watertight and ventilated, discard any stored items that are contaminated, or remove them for cleaning and restoration. Seal off the attic during cleaning and use a wet vacuum to clean as much visible mold as possible. Treat walls, floor, and exposed timbers with a mold removal spray to kill mold quickly and effectively, and install a fan or dehumidifier to dry the attic once the treatment is complete.
Read Also: Do You Have To Get Molds For Braces
What Is White Mold
White mold is often found in cool, damp environments such as in basements on walls and other structures. It is often confused with efflorescence, which is a mineral deposit that forms on foundation walls and other masonry surfaces due to water seepage. You can test to see if its mold by spraying it with water. If it dissolves, it is a mineral deposit if it does not, then its most likely white mold.
Top Tips To Beat Mould And Mildew
While these two irritations are related, they look quite different. But theyre both caused by fungi and damp bathroom conditions, so here are a few ways to get rid of bathroom mildew:
- Use a toothbrush, spray bottle or poultice.
- Try bleach, borax, or commercial mold inhibitors.
- Keep the bathroom dry with timed fans, dehumidifiers, and natural light.
- Experiment with pantry products like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda.
- Play with household extracts like clove, grapeseed, and essential oils.
Do you know other ways to get rid of bathroom mildew? Share your tips in the comments!
Also Check: How To Remove Mold And Mildew From Concrete
How To Remove Bathroom Mold
This article was co-authored by NW Maids. NW Maids is a cleaning service in Seattle, Washington. NW Maids has been active since 2014 and has an emphasis on upfront pricing, easy online booking, and thorough cleaning services.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 37 testimonials and 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,157,562 times.
Do you want to rid your bathroom of mold and make it a more friendly environment for you and other people to use when needed the most? This article will help you get rid of that nasty mold and have a better bathroom experience!
What Is The Difference Between Mold And Mildew
Read Also: How To Treat Mold And Mildew On Wood
Mold Cleaning Trick #: Baking Soda And Bleach
Itâs important to note that bleach does not kill mold, it simply removes the stain created by mold. Vinegar, as mentioned above, is a great way to kill mold. Start with the vinegar method and then move onto this method for the best results.
- Mix 1 tsp liquid soap and 1 cup baking soda. Add several drops of an essential oil, such as lavender, peppermint, citrus, etc.) and then add enough hot water to create a paste.
- Next, in a separate bowl combine 1 part bleach with 2 parts water. Add mixture to a spray bottle.
- Use the bleach solution to spray the affected areas in your bathroom. Let it sit and dry.
- After the solution dries, respray the area with your bleach solution and this time get in there with a scrub brush.
- Rinse the wall, and if you still see mold, go at it again repeating until the mold vanishes.
- In some cases, grout or caulking must be replaced.
What Kind Of Vinegar Is Best To Kill Bathroom Ceiling Mold
Most types of vinegar are great for mold because of their very mild acidity levels. Virtually all types of vinegar are made with two key components: acetic acid bacteria and either ethanol or sugar. The bacteria feeds on the sugar/ethanol, processes it chemically and creates vinegar as a byproduct.
What separates different types of vinegar is what the bacteria feeds on. Like bacteria, mold can also feed on sugar, so using sweeter vinegars may actually prolong the outbreak in the long run. At the very least, sugary vinegar isnt likely to be an effective cleaner.
On the other hand, ethanol is a type of alcohol. This very pure form of alcohol not only lacks any kind of sugar but is also a dehydrating agent that naturally draws water out of other things. By depriving mold of one of the two major substances it needs to survive, ethanol is much more likely to kill and help prevent recurring mold outbreaks.
Knowing this, the most effective type of vinegar for clearing out mold is distilled white vinegar. This is a sugar-free, ethanol-based vinegar that is simple, inexpensive and very safe to use around the house.
Recommended Reading: How To Check For Mold In Your House
