Bathrooms are highly susceptible to mold infestation. So, if you have noticed any suspicious spots appearing on your bathroom ceiling recently, you should disinfect the area as soon as possible. To help you out, we have put together a guide on how to remove mold from bathroom ceilings that includes a list of products to use, step-by-step instructions, and some pro tips that may come in handy.
However, before we delve into the nitty-gritty of removing mold from your bathroom ceiling, we must discuss the most common reasons behind mold infestation.
Mold and mildew need two things to thrive – a damp environment and an organic food source. Since bathrooms are the only spots in any home that remain wet for a prolonged period, they serve as an ideal breeding ground for such microbes. Cellulose and cotton, commonly found in wood and paper, act as the food source for mold spores. More often than not, homeowners fail to notice the infestation before it spreads to other parts of the bathroom.
It is also worth mentioning that some types of mold can be harmful to your health. Exposure to mold spores can cause red eyes, skin irritation, stuffy nose, wheezing, and other similar problems. If someone has respiratory issues such as asthma, their condition may worsen after coming in contact with mold, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Let’s take a look at how to remove mold from bathroom ceilings using DIY cleaning solutions.
What You Will Need
Here are some of the cleaning supplies and safety equipment you will need to remove mold from your bathroom ceiling.
Step ladder
Rubber gloves
Face mask
Safety goggles
Spray bottles
Scrubbing brush
Bleach
White vinegar
3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Step 1: Ventilate the Bathroom
The first step in our guide on removing mold from the bathroom ceiling is to ventilate the area. In other words, before you begin scrubbing the affected area to get rid of the mold, consider opening the windows to ensure better ventilation. It may also be good to close the vents to spread the mold spores through your entire home.
You can also consider renting a HEPA filter that removes the allergens and harmful microbes from the indoor air.
Step 2: Put On the Suitable Protective Gear
It is necessary to wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask to protect yourself from the mold spores, which will dislodge from the surface once you start cleaning it. Moreover, experts recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt while removing mold, as the spores can cause irritation and rashes if they come in contact with your skin.
In worst-case scenarios, mold exposure can result in lung diseases. Accidentally inhaling the mold spores can also cause a host of illnesses.
Step 3: Saturate the Area with a Cleaning Solution
Although there are plenty of mold and mildew cleaning solutions available in the market, you never know how effective they might be. Moreover, some of the high-strength cleaners contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. Therefore, it is ideal to use a homemade cleaning solution to remove mold from your bathroom ceiling.
All you need to do is mix one part bleach with three parts water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Shake it well before spraying the mixture on the mold-infested parts of the ceiling. You can use a step ladder to ensure better coverage. Once the mold is fully saturated, let it soak in the bleach mixture for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Scrub the Mold off the Surface
After 15 minutes or so, step on the ladder once again and use a scrubbing brush to remove the mold and mildew. You can use a wider brush to clean the flat surface and a smaller brush to reach the corners between the walls and the ceiling. It will take some time, patience, and elbow grease to effectively disinfect the area.
If you are having trouble getting rid of the mold, please repeat steps 3 and 4 until you achieve the desired result.
Step 5: Kill the Roots of the Mold
While bleach can clean the mold off the surface, it may not be much effective against certain types of infestations. Therefore, you should consider using a stronger cleaning solution that will kill the mold roots and disinfect your bathroom.
To ensure your bathroom is clean and healthy, mix equal parts white vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray this solution on your ceiling and walls to remove any type of mold that may not be visible to the naked eye. This cleaning mixture is very effective when it comes to disinfecting your home.
Allow the bathroom to air dry for the next couple of hours.
Our Final Thoughts
To summarize, please keep your bathroom well-ventilated and dry to reduce the chances of mold and mildew. However, if you notice any dark brown, green or black stains on your bathroom ceiling, immediately grab some rubber gloves and put on a mask and safety goggles before scrubbing the affected area. It is never a good idea to put off this chore because if you don’t tackle the mold as soon as possible, the situation may get out of hand.
Next, douse the area with the bleach-water solution and scrub the ceiling. Once the site looks clean and disinfected, spray it with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar to get rid of the underlying mold roots and ensure your bathroom is perfectly healthy and tidy. You should also ensure your bathroom doesn’t have any leaking pipes that may be causing mold infestation. Moreover, you can also consider investing in mold-resistant paint for better protection.
This brings us to the end of our guide on how to remove mold from bathroom ceiling. We hope our easy-to-follow steps will help you tackle the mold and mildew in your bathroom.
