The bathroom ceiling and walls are the mold’s favorite place to grow because of the excessive moisture present there and you would need the best bathroom cleaners to keep your place in shape. You can identify molds in the bathroom ceiling by black, brown, and orange spots on walls and ceiling. Molds look bad and release toxins that produce annoying mold smells and negatively affect your health.
Keep in mind that mold can be anywhere with excessive moisture, warm temperature, and poor airflow. Therefore regular bathroom cleaning and household keeping are not enough to deal with the mold problem in the bathroom ceiling.
How To Clean Mold In Bathroom Ceiling?
Cleaning the mold from walls and ceiling doesn’t mean that it will not come back again. Therefore it is important to address the root cause of mold .i.e., moisture, to get a permanent solution to this problem. This guide discusses the various methods you can apply to clean the mold permanently from your bathroom ceiling.
1. Remove the Mold
It is critical to remove the mold as soon as it appears to avoid stubborn stains on the ceiling. Also, if you delay the process, the mold will spread, affecting a larger portion of the ceiling. Follow these steps if you have discovered a mold problem in your ceiling.
Preparation
Get personal safety items like gloves, face masks, and goggles to avoid direct contact with mold. Plus, use a sturdy non-slip standing tool like a step ladder or stool to reach the old stains on the ceiling. Make sure that the bathroom floor is dry; otherwise, the ladder or stool may slip.
Additionally, you should be wearing shoes with non-slip soles. If you have back, joint, or arm pain issues, you should hire someone for cleaning purposes. You will also need a paint scraper or any other scraping tool and a cleaning agent to remove the mold from the ceilings.
Removing The Paint
- Place the ladder or stool in a position from where you can easily access the affected area.
- Use the scraping tool to remove the peeling paint from the walls and ceiling.
- Use an old cleaning brush to remove the remaining mold and paint from the ceiling.
Treating The Mold
In order to kill the spores, disinfect the affected area, remove stains and deodorize the air, you will need a cleaning agent. You can use different cleaning agents to treat the mold.
Detergent Solution
If the mold problem is new to your bathroom, you can use a mild solution of warm water and detergent to clean the affected area. First, mix the detergent and warm water to prepare a mild solution. Then, wash the area affected with mold using this solution.
You can use a sponge or brush to scrub the mold stains. Once the ceiling is dry, again apply the solution with a spray nozzle and let it dry. It is not recommended to rinse off the solution. It will prevent the spores from growing again for a long time.
Borate Solution
The borate-based solution is used to target the severe mold problem. It also reduces the likelihood that the mold will grow again. You can use any borate-based detergent like Borax to prepare the solution. Borax is a mineral-based detergent that kills mold and removes the bad odor from the air.
Prepare a strong solution of Borax and wash the affected area with the solution. Next, you can use a brush or sponge to remove the mold stains from the walls and ceilings. Finally, rinse off the solution from the walls and let the ceiling dry.
Again apply the solution and do not rinse it. The borate solution will prevent the mold from growing again soon. It is recommended to regularly spray the borate-based solution to stop mold from growing again.
Vinegar Solution
Vinegar solution is a natural and non-toxic cleaning agent having many applications in household cleaning. Vinegar acts as a disinfectant and removes the bad odor. It is an economical and non-toxic cleaning agent that you can buy from any nearby store.
Prepare a strong vinegar solution and apply it to the affected area. Next, rinse the solution and wait until the ceiling is dry. Again apply the solution and let it dry. Vinegar will act as a natural controlling agent and prevent mold from growing soon.
Bleach solution
Bleach is another solution to your problem. Bleach is a strong fungicide that can remove stubborn stains and disinfect the affected area. Also, it has the potential to remove the mold permanently. However, keep in mind that bleach is a strong chemical agent that can burn the skin if it comes in direct contact.
Also, it produces pungent fumes that can cause respiratory issues and eye irritation. Therefore it is recommended to wear thick plastic gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask. Plus, keep the windows open and switch on the exhaust fan to avoid the toxic fumes of bleach.
To make a solution add one cup of bleach to two cups of water. Carefully apply the solution to the affected area. Use a soft brush to remove the mold stains. Rinse the solution with clean water and let it dry. Respray the solution on the affected area and leave it to dry. Regularly spray the bleach solution to prevent the mold from growing again.
2. Control The Conditions
Cleaning the mold is not sufficient as mold will come back in warm weather and excessive moisture. However, you can control the conditions like temperature and moisture to get rid of mold problems permanently.
Install The Dehumidifier
Damp and humid conditions favor mold growth. A dehumidifier is an electronic device that is used to maintain the humidity level in the air. Installing this device in the bathroom will help in creating less favorable conditions for the molds. Also, it will reduce the odor produced by mold spores.
Fix The Leakages
Leakages in the walls and ceiling are a major cause of the moisture and growing molds. Therefore it is crucial to fix the leakage if you want to remove the old permanently. Carefully examine the roof and ceiling. If you find a crack or observe water seeping through the roof, go for an immediate repair.
Get Proper Ventilation and Sunlight
The mod growth is multiplied if there is no proper ventilation for air circulation in the bathroom. Usually, bathrooms have small windows that are not enough to maintain the proper ventilation. Therefore it is critical to install an exhaust fan for a proper inflow and outflow of air. Also, keep the doors and windows open to proper the inflow and outflow of the air. Open the windows during the daytime to allow the sunlight to come in.
Get Proper Insulation
Proper insulation of the walls also prevents mold from growing inside. In summers, there is a huge temperature difference on both sides of the ceiling. This temperature difference leads to condensation inside, making the conditions favorite for molds. Condensation occurs only when there is poor insulation in the walls and ceilings; therefore, it is critical to improving the ventilation in the ceiling and walls.
Little things To Do
Do not hang wet towels and damp clothes inside the bathroom. Also, keep the wet cleaning tools like brushes and sponges outside the bathroom. Carefully wash the sponges and tools used in mold cleaning. Otherwise, you will transfer the mold to other areas of the home. Try to keep the bathroom dry as much as possible.
Related Mold Guides: How to get rid of mold in your shower
FAQs
Is bathroom ceiling mold dangerous?
Yes, molds release mycotoxins that are hazardous for human health. They release annoying odors and cause allergic reactions. People allergic to molds may get severe reactions like sneezing, runny nose, or even shortness of breath.
Can vinegar kill mold on the bathroom ceiling?
Yes, vinegar is a natural household cleaning agent that can kill mold spores on the bathroom ceiling. You can use a solution of vinegar to kill the mold spores, deodorize the air and remove the mold stains from the ceilings.
How do I get rid of mold on my bathroom ceiling without bleach?
You can use a borate-based solution if you don’t want to use bleach. Borax detergent is a non-toxic and odorless chemical that can effectively kill the molds, remove the mold stains and deodorize the air. It is recommended to use a brush, scrubber, or sponge along with a solution to remove the stains.
How do I prevent mold on my bathroom ceiling?
To prevent the mold on bathroom ceilings, you should fix the roof leakages and get the proper ventilation in the bathroom. Also, you should let the sunlight come in, get proper insulation, and install a dehumidifier in the bathroom.
