Mould can develop on your ceiling for a number of reasons or causes and in this simple guide, I will explain exactly how you can get rid of the mold (mould) in your ceiling using simple cleaning equipment and others as well.
Let’s get started!
Note: You should never apply one or more of these chemicals at once, meaning you should not use detergent and vinegar, vinegar, and bleach because the reaction is not safe in a human environment.
What you will need for cleaning
- Bucket
- Gloves
- Mask/cloth to cover your nose and mouth
- Glasses are recommended because the liquid may fall in your eyes.
- A ladder you can improvise with a stool if you can.
- Water
- Spray bottle.
- Normal Bleach (Chlorine bleach can work)
Worry not, because each method requires different tools and therefore we shall explain exactly where you need each of the requirements.
How to remove mold from the ceiling step by step instructions
Method 1: Cleaning Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is lesser talked about as it is not a common cleaning substance but what matters is that it can also get the job done just like normal bleach or vinegar.
The reaction can differ on different surfaces so always keep in mind before you start to always wear your gloves, mask or cover your mouth and nose.
It can be found in all common stores like Walmart and so on.
When cleaning using this agent, simply pour some in a spray bottle and spray the affected parts with mold (mould) and let it sit for 10–20 minutes. Use a cloth or brush clean as you spray clean water to get rid of the mold (mould) surfaces.
Ensure you have no material below the surface you are cleaning and always ask, do research before you start if you are not sure of what to do exactly in certain households.
Method 2: Mould Removal using Bleach
Bleach is by far the best cleaning agent killing bacteria and fungi in your household and as well as mould (mold).
When using Bleach ensure the surface below is free from clothes, beddings, and other materials that may react with the bleach differently. Here is what you need for this method
- Gloves
- Glasses to cover your eyes while looking up
- Scrubbing brushes or cloth (simple cloth mop)
- Bleach (chlorine bleach/cleaning bleach)
- Water in a bucket
- A Ladder
- Mask or cloth to cover your mouth and nose
Step 1:
Put on all your protective gear and ensure you have all material before you get started.
Ensure you are applying the bleach directly to the affected areas but you can mix it in the water though it won’t be much effective. Ensure you have gloves before you spray bleach on any surface with mould (mold) as it can cause skin irritation or burning.
Open windows and ensure that you have no material below the affected area you are working with. Put on goggles or glasses when necessary and spray away from you at all times.
Step 2:
If you have mixed the bleach in water the best tool you should have is the cloth or mop to help you clean off the mould (mold) if you had sprayed the bleach directly just simply wipe the surface and you should be good to go.
If you are dealing with corners and sharp corners in the room be sure to use a brush with bristles and direct them into the affected area. Then use the cloth to wipe the surface clean and you should be good to go.
Step 3:
If you are done and all parts and corners are as clean as new then grab a dry cloth and wipe it again. This is effective for smooth ceilings but for rough ones, it may get bumpy and tiring on your arms.
Don’t splash water directly at the ceiling as it just simply causes a mess and can splash to the walls causing stains.
Method 3: Mould Removal with Vinegar
Vinegar is a very wonderful cleaning tool and it can also work in this case.
Vinegar is very human-safe and very much affordable than some bleach types. If you opt for this option ensure you are only using it on the necessary or affected spots on your ceiling.
Ensure you have no clothes, beddings, and other material below the surface you are cleaning. Here is what you will need for this method:
- Your Ladder
- Water
- Mask / Glasses (cover your face from the dropping liquid)
- Spray bottle
- Cleaning Vinegar
Step 1:
Pour the Cleaning Vinegar into your spray bottle and ensure that you close the lid well before starting. Spray the affected areas and let it sit for about 30minutes to 1 hour for larger portions.
Step 2:
Once the time has phased out, then grab a mop or cloth and clean the liquified mold mixture with vinegar. You can scrab as you spray water over the ceiling and it is important to spray water or clean with a cloth away from your while not splashing it on the walls.
Step 3:
Keep cleaning with the cloth and brush until it is clear of any mold surfaces and remember to change the water you use to rinse the cloth after each round. You can open your nearby window for the smell of vinegar to go out as you clean.
Step 4:
To further prevent the accumulation of mold (mould) in the future clean surfaces as soon as you spot the mold and you can also check out some of the possible causes and preventions below.
Prevention of Future Mold development
As stated in the introduction Mold (mould) can be caused by a number of reasons and your situation can vary from your neighbor and friends as well. But here are some considerations you can try
Check for a roof leak
- If your ceiling has a leak and it lets water through whenever it rains then moist (mold) mould can start to appear inside. You will need to repair the roof and cleaning alone won’t be enough as you haven’t eliminated the cause.
- Sometimes it wouldn’t be the roof but the water pipes in your house can be faulty as well so ensure you ask qualified personnel to check on that as well.
Circulation and ventilation
- This can happen in rooms with less air circulation. If you often cook steamed food or boil food, it accumulates moisture above the stove. This is one cause of mould (mold) in kitchens
- Speaking of bathrooms, the cause can be the same as it is an accumulation of moisture from hot water around the pipe area or above or near the shower. The best fix to this is to open a window once in a while or during cleaning.
- You can also use dehumidifiers where you can to prevent the accumulation of humidity in such areas of your house.
- In bathrooms ensure you keep your bathroom door open after showers or even during the day to allow air to flow naturally in your house and take out the humidity.
- You can also open your windows when you wake up in the morning for 10–15 minutes a day it all helps and adds up.
- Another good practice you can try out is to not always hang wet clothes, towels, and clothes in the bathroom. As they dry, the moisture and humidity will rise and accumulate in specific spots of your ceiling so keep that in mind.
Open your windows to allow in natural light
- Similar to clothes, they tend to develop a stench once you wash them and leave them in the washer undried. The darkness allows the accumulation of mold and bacteria.
- So with your ceiling, you should expect mold (mould) in darker places such as basements or areas that don’t receive as much light as necessary. So open your windows or doors once in a while to allow some light in.
Check your roof for mould (mold) growth
- Mould (mold) not only develops on the inside but outside as well, so always do roof inspections or call experts or trained personnel to do the work for you if you can’t.
- Mould (mold) can grow in areas with leaves on your roof that are not cleaned off. If you live in areas with winters then consider cleaning your roof during the summer to get rid of anything that froze during the cold months.
Once you are done you should open the windows and let the smell out. Hope this guide was helpful be sure to leave us a comment and let us know what you have used in the past and check out the best cleaning tools and material for your next cleaning session here