Mold is pretty much the last thing that anyone wants to find on their walls, especially because of all the challenges that it comes with. Aside from looking incredibly unsightly, mold is also very difficult to get rid of and can cause certain health risks to you and your loved ones. While prevention is always the key when it comes to dealing with mold, it’s also important that you know how to get rid of it once it’s there.
How to Remove Mold from Walls with White Vinegar
Step 1: Prepare the Area
Once you find an infected area, the first thing you should do is gently remove any loose mold particles or debris from the area with an old and dry microfiber cloth. When you’re done, make sure that you take the microfiber cloth out of the room immediately.
Step 2: Create Your Cleaning Solution
In an empty spray bottle, combine equal parts white vinegar and water before mixing everything.
White vinegar is an effective and affordable solution against mold, mainly because of its antifungal and antibacterial properties. White vinegar is also formulated with acetic acid, a very common ingredient in many commercial cleaners, and has a very acidic pH level that can combat mold growth.
Step 3: Start Cleaning
Dampen the area with your white vinegar solution and leave it for 15 minutes. Once the time has passed, use either a scrub brush or a clean sponge to scrub the affected area. When doing this, use circular motions and make sure that you’re cleaning the entire area.
Tip: For more serious situations, you can leave white vinegar on the mold overnight. This will allow it to penetrate much more deeply into the mold and break it down.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry
After all the mold has been cleaned off, rinse the area with some water before using a damp cloth or sponge to wipe everything down. This will remove any remnants that the mold may have left behind, as well as any lingering traces of your white vinegar solution.
Finally, let the area dry completely. You can do this by either opening some windows or by pointing some electric fans towards the cleaned area to increase air circulation.
How to Remove Mold From Painted Walls with Bleach
Step 1: Prepare the Area
Since this cleaning method will require you to use bleach, it’s important that you take extra measures to protect the area surrounding the mold growth to avoid inadvertently damaging anything. To do this, cover the floor with some plastic covers and tape them down with some painter’s tape, which will be much gentler on surfaces. You can also have some towels ready to help you catch any spills or drips.
Keep in mind that you should still take the time to remove any loose particles or debris from the affected area with a clean cloth, making sure that you take the cloth out of the room as soon as you’re done.
Step 2: Create Your Cleaning Solution
In a bowl, combine one part bleach with three parts water and mix the two together. Bleach is another great choice when fighting against mold, mainly because of its disinfectant properties. As a disinfectant, bleach can help eliminate a wide range of microorganisms, including mold, by breaking them down and killing them, while also significantly reducing their chances of returning.
Tip: Chlorine bleach is much better at cleaning off mold compared to white vinegar, as it is a powerful disinfectant that effectively kills mold, but it’s important to observe the right health and safety precautions when using it.
Step 3: Start Cleaning
Dampen either a clean cloth or sponge with your bleach solution and use this to carefully wipe away the mold from your walls. Feel free to rinse your cloth in your solution as many times as you need to, but remember to wring it out thoroughly before bringing it to your wall.
Step 4: Rinse and Dry
When all the mold has been removed, use a dampened cloth to gently blot the area. This will remove all traces of the bleach solution from the walls. Then, use a final clean cloth to dab away any excess moisture that may have been left behind. To finish, let the wall air dry completely.
Additional Cleaning Tips
Here are some additional cleaning tips to help you effectively remove mold from your home:
- Open Windows and Doors: Aside from helping the drying process, opening some windows and doors can also be a good idea during the actual cleaning itself, especially if you’re opting for the bleach method. Bleach can produce fumes that can be irritating or even harmful when inhaled in large concentrations. Increasing air circulation in the room can help you stay safe and comfortable during your cleaning.
- Take Appropriate Precautions: If you’re using bleach to remove mold from your walls, make sure that you take the right safety measures, such as wearing well-fitted gloves, a face mask, and safety goggles. These items will also keep you from accidentally inhaling or coming into contact with the mold.
- Clean from the Bottom to the Top: Whether you’re using a spray or a cloth to apply your cleaning solution, it’s best to clean the mold from the bottom and work your way up. This will stop the mold from spreading, as well as any stains from streaking.
- Monitor Indoor Humidity Levels: In case you didn’t know, mold grows and thrives in damp and humid environments, so keeping your indoor humidity levels under control can be a great way to prevent mold spores from starting. It’s recommended that you keep the humidity around 30 to 50 percent.
- Know When to Call the Professionals: While some mold situations can be dealt with easily on your own, it’s crucial that you know when it's time to call the professionals, specifically when the mold occupies a large area inside your home. Not only can the situation be worse than it seems, but you can also put your health at risk if you try to deal with this on your own.
Mold can be very difficult to deal with, but it’s definitely not impossible. By following these cleaning tips and tricks, you’ll be able to eliminate mold from your walls and keep it from coming back.
It’s worth mentioning that sticking to a regular cleaning routine can also minimize the chances of mold growing inside your home, especially when you pay extra attention to areas that are closer to water or moisture sources. If you don’t have time to handle all of this yourself, then you can trust our professional cleaners here at Luce to keep your living space spotless!
