How to clean mould on walls and ceilings

Here’s our list of tips on how to clean mould on walls and ceilings

Important equipment

  1. Hand gloves: some chemicals can be harmful to your skin so it is always recommended to use gloves
  2. Goggles to protect your eyes
  3. Sturdy step ladder
  4. Cloths – mutton cloth is a good choice. Cloths that contain dyes may ruin white ceilings.
  5. Cleaning Solutions – Hydrogen Peroxide (3%), bleach, white vinegar or even a baking soda solution. We will list a few products that we have used in the past that have worked well.

mouldy wall cleaning

 

South African winters can cause problems in your home specially when there is little ventilation. Some homes experience mould on walls and ceilings more than others and this could be due to various factors. Here we have listed the top tips on how to clean mould on walls and ceilings and how to prevent the mould from returning.

First identify where the problem lies. Some mould issues require more than just cleaning. Some are caused by leaks due to cracked roof tiles or if you have a mouldy wall this could be caused by a leaking water pipe or bad ventilation.

Once you have identified the root cause of the mould problem, tackle that first before cleaning the mould.

Steps to remove the mould from the wall or ceiling

  1. Ensure you are wearing all the correct gear.
  2. Spray the affected areas with you choice of mould remover. Mould Buster, Eco-Lyte (available from weClean), White Vinegar, Hydrogen Peroxide, baking soda or Bleach – Chlorguard (also available from weClean). Please ensure that you test any solutions on an inconspicuous area first. Read the manufactures label for safety and usage instructions.
  3. Use a mutton cloth or white cloth to wipe off the mould. For ceilings or walls and for more stubborn mould you may need a soft bristle scrubbing brush to remove the mould
  4. Wipe the affected areas again with a clean cloth and clean water to rinse any excess solution from the surface and then ensure the area is dried completely.

mouldy-ceiling-cleaning

Tips to prevent mould on ceilings and walls

Now that the mould has been removed we need to look at way to prevent the mould from returning.

  • Fix ventilation problems and ensure your home has enough ventilation. For bathrooms an extractor fan could be installed.
  • Leave doors and windows open for ventilation
  • Purchase a dehumidifier for bedrooms with poor ventilation
  • Paint walls and ceilings with paint that contains anti-bacterial properties that can help prevent further growth of mould.

We hope that these tips help resolve any mould problems in the home or office.