Mold and mildew build up on your walls not only looks awful, but it can also be extremely dangerous to your health.
Creeping up in corners of the house you often miss or simply don’t know how to clean.
Luckily there are ways to prevent the build up of mold and mildew and to clean the mold already there.
Using everyday cleaning products that you are likely to already have in your house, you can have clean, fresh, beautiful walls.
Below is a simple guide on how you can clean mold off your walls leaving your home feeling clean and refreshed once again.
What Is Mold?
You know that black, horrible looking stuff that has taken up residency on your walls? Whether it's your bathroom, bedroom, or kitchen, that black stuff is mould.
A specific type of fungus called mold grows from spores carried by the air.
Mold typically thrives in warm, humid environments with little airflow, which is why loft areas and bathrooms in homes are frequently affected.
Mold on walls is frequently only the result of humidity and a lack of air, but occasionally, plumbing leaks both inside and outside the building can be to blame.
Moisture buildup behind the walls can also be brought on by poorly insulated heating lines.
What Is Mildew?
Mildew is the more common term for the black mold that grows on your walls.
This is identified by the spots that will then grow and spread across larger areas of your home if it is not treated properly.
Apply some bleach to the afflicted area using a cloth to check for mildew on your walls.
Mildew is present if the black color disappears after a few minutes. Otherwise, the patch is most likely just dirt and can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth.
How To Clean Mold Off Walls
When it comes to cleaning mold off of your walls, there are a few methods you can try.
However, we have created this quick step by step guide which includes the use of items you already have in your home.
It is important to remember that mold can be damaging to your health and cause allergic reactions.
If dealing with a large area of mold or it seems to be a problem throughout your home, it may be best to seek professional help.
However, if it is a small area of mold be sure to wear protective clothing such as a facemask, gloves, and eyewear.
Always have a window open or have a fan running while cleaning mold.
You will need:
- Cloth
- Water
- Chlorine Bleach/ Bleach Detergent
- Stiff-bristled Brush
1. Mix Chlorine Bleach and Water
You want to make a solution of one part chlorine bleach with three parts water. You may also use a household bleach such as Domestos Bleach Spray.
Your household bleach must have bleach as an active ingredient in order to be useful.
2. Scrub The Infected Area
Using your bleach and water solution or your household detergent, scrub the infected area with a stiff-bristled brush. There should be no black spots visible after scrubbing.
3. Rinse With Water and Dry
Using a clean cloth and clean water, wipe the scrubbed area to remove the bleach and any left over mold.
Once all the mold has been removed make sure to dry the area thoroughly as mold is caused through dampness.
If this doesn't work, there are treatments designed specifically to remove mold and mildew from walls that might be more effective.
Just keep in mind that you should never combine cleaning solutions because doing so might result in harmful chemical reactions.
Remove Condensation Mold
Condensation mold is common within the bathroom and bedroom. Noticed droplets of water from the window?
This is the perfect condition for mold as they land on a surface which is of lower temperature, leaving the water with nowhere to go.
Steps To Remove Condensation Mold
- Wear protective clothing. Clothing such as gloves, facemask, and eyewear while removing mold of any form.
- Spray Bleach Based Solution . Spray a small amount of the product onto a small part of the infected area. You want to ensure that no bad chemical reactions are going to happen before treating the entire area.
You can also use a homemade solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.
Spray the Bleach or Vinegar based solution onto the area and leave overnight.
- Wash off the mold and the solution. With a clean, damp cloth wipe away the mold and the solution. This may take some manual labor but it will come off.
- Dry off the area with a clean towel or cloth to remove the remaining moisture.
How To Prevent Mold On Walls
Once you have gotten rid of the mold and mildew on your walls, you will never want it to return. We have some tips to help prevent mold growing on your walls:
- Electric Dehumidifier. If you have certain areas of your home that are infected with mold you may want to invest in an electric dehumidifier. This is an excellent long term solution.
- Specialized Products. For instance, an anti-microbial spray can aid in preventing the spores from settling once more. You may also buy anti-mildew paint at most home improvement retailers.
- Take Care of Any Leaks. As soon as you are aware of a leak ensure it is fixed. This will prevent moisture from dripping into the walls and under the floors.
Final Thoughts
Mold is not something anyone wants to see or deal with in their home. Yet it seems to creep up in the most unsightly of places.
If mold isn’t dealt with properly it can fester and become a large, expensive problem to get rid of.
Our simple step by step guide makes getting rid of small areas of mold easy. However, if the infected area is allowed to grow then you may have to seek professional help.
Otherwise, with a little water and some household bleach, you can be looking at clean walls that are free of black mold, skim coating a wall would also be helpful.
