Your Complete Guide To Getting Rid Of Bathroom Mold
Mold is an ugly four-letter word that is found all too often in bathrooms. Learn the best ways to remove bathroom mold and prevent it from coming back.
With warm, humid conditions, the bathroom is the perfect place for mold, and it can grow on just about every surface. Once you find it, cleaning mold in the bathroom can be a big chore. Follow our tips for cleaning moldincluding products to use, instructions for specific surfaces, and key prevention tacticsto refresh your bathroom. Youll want to make sure you get it all so you arent constantly fighting mold in the bathroom.
Editors Tip: If you suspect your bathroom has black mold, known as Stachybotrys chartarum, seek a professional to test it, as you may have a larger problem at hand. If the results indicate other common household molds, move forward with our cleaning tips.
Tip 2 Confirm The Cause
There are two main triggers for mold moist air and flowing liquid. In your bathroom, mold is likely to be caused by humidity. The bathroom is often steamy during use. So if multiple household members share a bathroom, its moist for most of the day. You need good air circulation, an effective HVAC system, and maybe some bathroom fans to keep it dry.
Alternatively, the mold on your bathroom ceiling may be caused by a leaky pipe. You can tell the difference because moisture mold resembles speckles of black spray paint splashed on your ceiling. Its mostly concentrated at the edges of the bathroom ceiling. Wet mold looks more like a large spreading stain. Itll be yellow or brown, circular, and centralized around one spot.
How To Control The Mold From Popcorn Ceilings
Treatment and cleaning of mold from popcorn ceilings for the first time does not assure you that you can face the problem again. When there is a lot of humidity content in your homes, mold can appear on almost all the surfaces of the ceilings. If you want to remove mold after cleaning it from your bathroom ceilings, you should think about removing moisture from your bathrooms for must. To do this task, you should discover the reasons that cause the formation of mold and moisture present in the bathrooms. The few ways you can take to prevent the mold formation to a minimum include:
- Sound ventilation system: To make the flow of air in a better way, open the doors and windows of your bathrooms and kitchens. You can also have an exhaust fan in these areas if you dont have windows there.
- Check for water leaks: You should check the pipes running through your bathrooms and kitchens to ensure they are not leaking. You can also wrap your pipes to prevent condensation.
- Cleaning bathrooms regularly: For the elimination of mold spores, clean your bathroom regularly.
- You can use mildew and mold-resistant curtains, showers, and mats to prevent the growth of mold.
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How To Remove Mold From A Tiled Bathroom Ceiling
If your bathroom ceiling is tiled, you will need to take a slightly different approach to remove mold.
See The Stain Then The Mold Is Still There
About three months later the mold reappeared and seemed to have spread across a larger area of the bathroom ceiling. I realized that the ceiling was not stained but rather the mold was not fully removed. Apparently the Clorox bleach did not remove the mold but merely scraped the surface spores off leaving the roots behind. The ceiling did not need a paint job but needed for the mold to be removed completely.
When I saw the cathedral ceiling decorated in mold I was thinking of doing a complete bathroom makeover. I was trying to justify it but still was not happy about the presence of mold in my bathroom. Every time the bathroom would steam up, the moisture would gather on the splotches of mold and drip back into the shower stall. This did not sit well with me and I decided to give it one more shot to get rid of the mold.
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What Are The Health Risks Of Black Mould
According to the NHS, mould can cause various health problems, the most likely being breathing problems. These would include infections, allergies or asthma attacks.
Health risks associated with mould include allergic reactions, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. This is especially true if you touch or inhale any spores, which can cause an asthma attack.
Therefore, those most likely to be affected are children, the elderly and anyone with existing skin problems and respiratory issues.
According to Asthma UK, 42% of respondents to their 2019 annual survey said mould can trigger their asthma. They advise that if you experience cold-like symptoms in warm, damp environments, you could be allergic to mould.
Furthermore, the World Health Organisation believes that many of the 300 million cases of asthma cases among children have originated or been worsened by mould exposure.
What Can I Spray To Prevent Mold
Vinegar and baking soda liquid spray cleaners both provide a protective barrier against mold growth and recurrence. In addition to this, several other natural remedies, like tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide, can also help prevent mold from growing back once youve cleaned it up.
There are countless mold-prevention sprays available at hardware stores near you that can be used right after the mold cleanup process. Nearly any mold preventative you find should have some kind of anti-fungal ingredient or water-dispelling component that helps keep at-risk surfaces clean, dry and mold-free.
Also Check: What Are The Effects Of Black Mold In Your House
How To Clean Mold Off Coins
Vinegar. A common ingredient in DIY eco-friendly cleaners, the acetic acid in white vinegar can help wear away the contamination on your coins. Soak your coins in a glass or other non-corrosive container for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight, and then wipe with a clean cloth or scrub gently with an old toothbrush.
To Remove Black Mold From Hard Surfaces Follow These Steps:
If youd rather not use bleach, white vinegar or baking soda are good natural substitutes that kill black mold. Vinegar can be used just like the bleach.
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How To Get Rid Of And Prevent Bathroom Mold
Learn how to remove and prevent mold from growing in your bathroom in the future.
Mold is infamous for producing spores that, when inhaled, can cause anything from rashes to headaches to respiratory problems. At-risk groups such as the very young or old and people with compromised immune systems, mold sensitivities and allergies, or asthma can have serious reactions to mold.
Remove Any Mold From The Ceiling Surface With A Warm Wet Cloth
The next step you should take is to remove any mold that may be growing on your ceiling surface by taking a damp cloth and rubbing it over the surface of the drywall or plaster, which will help loosen up any mold that may have been growing in this area. This will help you to be able to get rid of this type of mold easily without needing to use harsh chemicals or other methods which can be harmful to your home and family members!
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Tip 8 Buy A Dehumidifier
You can gauge how humid your bathroom is with a relative humidity tool. If the bathroom is too wet, you could invest in a dehumidifier. It lowers the moisture content in the bathroom, which resolves your mold problem. You can set the dehumidifier on a timer to conserve electricity.
Make sure you buy a model thats specifically for bathrooms. Its an electrical appliance, so theres always a risk of fire when electricals get wet. Buying a bathroom-specific model means its wiring is concealed and its insides are better sealed to avoid coming into contact with water.
Mould Removal With Bleach
Bleach is the first thing most people reach for if they have an areas of mould that needs cleaning. It is a mould removal method and will kill surface mould as mentioned above. It will clean mould from anywhere, not just a wall or ceiling. Bleach kills the surface mould and bacteria but the jury is out on whether it stops the mould from returning.
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The Dangers Of Having Mould On Your Ceilings And Around Your Windows
While mould is essential for the biodegradation of organisms in nature, it could be dangerous for people in confined spaces. The threat comes from the spores that the fungus releases, which are invisible and easy to inhale. Constant exposure to mould could lead to frequent headaches, allergies, respiratory problems and help the development of chronic conditions like asthma or rhinitis.
Are There Any Natural Remedies For Removing Mold
If youre looking for a natural solution to remove mold, one of the below options will work. Keep in mind, though, that they may take more time than bleach and may not remove stains:
- Hydrogen peroxide: Grab a spray bottle and pour 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide into the bottle. Spray the affected area, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then scrub the mold away.
- Vinegar: Pour undiluted vinegar into a spray bottle and spray the moldy area. Let it sit for an hour and then wipe the area clean with water and allow it to dry.
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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.
Black Mold Something Of A Misnomer
The thing is dangerous and toxic mold is not just black, it can be many different colors. Toxic molds can appear to be green, yellow, brown, and black.
Before we go any further, we need to address a common misconception about mold. While all molds have the potential to cause irritation and allergy symptoms, some molds can also cause much more dangerous health problems. Some molds, but not all, produce toxins. Toxic molds can cause health problems ranging from poisoning to cancer. Not all molds are toxic, but many are. The thing is dangerous and toxic mold is not just black, it can be many different colors. Toxic molds can appear to be gray, green, yellow, brown, and black.
So, where is the line between an allergic mold and a toxic mold? That line is defined by something called a mycotoxin, and is NOT defined by color.
Mycotoxins, literally fungus poison in Latin, are secondary metabolites that can be produced by molds, and are not living organisms. Mycotoxins are a byproduct of mold. Not all mold spores produce mycotoxins, but some do. So the molds that produce mycotoxins are the ones that could be categorized as toxic or poisonous.
Mycotoxins are chemical substances that can cause many health problems ranging from mild to severe. Even if you are not allergic to mold, you can be affected by mycotoxins.
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Identifying The Type Of Mold On Your Bathroom Ceiling
- Allergenic molds: you can usually deal with them yourself
- Pathogenic molds: you can remove them yourself, but large colonies might require professional removal
- Toxic molds: this mold is very harmful and should only be handled by a professional. Black mold may be Stachybotrys chartarum, a toxic species
Three: Find A Secure Way To Get Access To The Bathroom Ceiling Mold
Sometimes reaching the mold is a daunting task. You will need to use a sturdy tool meant for standing on, such as a stepladder or footstool.
It would be helpful to use a tool with rubber or non-slip feet to cushion against slips. Using a tool with non-sleep feet could increase the chances of accidents, especially if you are dealing with very slippery floors like tiles.
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Will Vinegar Kill Mold On The Ceiling
Vinegar is surprisingly effective on mold thanks to its acidic chemical makeup. As the product of fermented ethanol and acetic acid bacteria, it has a natural pH of roughly 2.5. This level of pH is very mild but strong enough to kill mold spores without driving them further into the porous surfaces theyre growing on. Not only does vinegar have anti fungal properties, its also been shown to be a great antibacterial cleaner as well, so using it can leave your household surfaces sanitized in the end.
The type of vinegar you choose to get rid of mold is extremely important distilled white vinegar is usually the most effective choice due to its lack of sugar or other ingredients. Alternatives like wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar might get the job done, but the sugar they contain is something mold spores can feed on, which increases the risk of the outbreak returning.
How To Prevent Mould On Ceilings
Knowing how to clean mould off the ceiling is only half the battle once itâs gone, you need to make sure it doesnât come back or youâll find yourself asking âhow to get rid of mould in bathroom ceilingsâ all over again.
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First, check to make sure your roof isnât leaking.
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Make sure your home is well ventilated as poor ventilation will cause damp to settle.
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Leave the bathroom and shower door open when theyâre not in use.
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Turn on the extractor fan or open a window when bathing so steam can escape.
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If your bedroom has damp, reduce water vapour in the air with a dehumidifier.
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Leave your bedroom door open in the daytime to allow air to circulate.
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Improve your insulation to avoid damp. It might even save you some money!
Once youâve successfully treated the mould, keep an eye on affected areas so you can tackle any regrowth before it has time to spread.
Originally published
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How To Remove Mold From Ceiling Or Bathroom Ceiling Safely
The best way to remove mold growth from your home or bathroom ceiling is to contact a PuroClean professional who will thoroughly inspect your home and look for any indoor air quality issues that may be causing the black mold growth on your ceiling. From there, we will create a plan of action to resolve the problem before it becomes worse and spreads throughout your property.
Although all traces of mold can never be removed completely, there are some things you can do to remediate it, thus protecting your home and health. If the mold affects an area of your ceiling smaller than 10 square feet, there are a few home remedies you can try.
Keep in mind that these are not the mold remediation techniques used by professionals. Also, be sure to wear proper PPE and use care when trying any of these solutions.
Getting Mould Off Your Bathroom Ceiling
For a lot of people, cleaning is a chore that they try to avoid, especially when it comes to scrubbing that pesky mold off your ceiling. So, how can we make cleaning mold as easy and effective as possible, so we can get back to what we want to be doing? The first question is, do I have to clean the mold? Cant I just leave it? The answer is no, and heres why. Mold is very unhealthy.
Breathing in the spores can cause infections even if you go to the gym every day and eat your greens. Also, it can eat away at your house, its ugly to look at and if left too long, it will leave a permanent stain that you cant remove. Now, if the mold expands across 10 square feet or less, you should be able to clean this yourself with some good old elbow grease. But if there is more mold than that, we recommend seeking professional cleaning help.
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