How To Clean Mold From Ceiling: 3 Best Tips For Home DIY

We wrote three ways on how to clean mold from ceiling in this article. Learn how to use baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide in cleaning mold.

Be informed on the causes and tips on mold prevention in this article as well. Be sure to read until the end so you won’t get confused with the process!

how to clean mold from ceiling

 

What do mold on ceilings look like?

Generally, mold on ceilings is black. Avoid mistaking it for soot build-up on your ceiling.

To differentiate, take a closer look. If there are filaments on the structure, then it is most likely mold.

If the mold growth is worse in one part of the room, then the problem may be humidity-related. If there is staining, then the reason for mold is roof leaks. Roof leak-related mold growth also follows a circular pattern, like water stains. 

 

What are the causes of mold growth on ceilings?

The leading cause of mold growth on ceilings is excessive moisture due to leaks. Leaks can be from the roof or the attic. So, it is crucial to check those regularly for leaks.

Another cause of mold growth is improper insulation, which leads to high levels of humidity. Having your insulator properly installed will protect you from mold contamination and harsh weather. 

 

What are the signs that you need to clean mold from your ceiling?

When you notice a musty odor, it’s time for a mold inspection. Also, if there are visible traces of mold in your ceiling, clean it off immediately.

Otherwise, it may lead to health problems. Mold-related health problems range from skin allergies to mold-induced asthma.

Prolonged exposure is also hazardous to children and the elderly. If you detect mold, do something about it right away. We wrote about some homeowner-friendly solutions in cleaning mold below. 

 

Ways On Cleaning Mold From Ceiling

Before cleaning mold from your ceiling, it would be more productive to fix the cause of water damage first. Water damage leads to mold growth, and if it is not repaired, then it would just lead to further mold contamination. After fixing the water damage, you can proceed in doing either of these three methods on cleaning mold off the ceiling. 

 

1. Using baking soda

Baking soda is one of the go-to methods for cleaning mold because it is safe around children and pets. It also prevents further mold growth because of its ability to absorb moisture.

Dissolve a teaspoon of baking soda in a spray bottle filled with water. Wear goggles for protection. Then, spritz it on the mold-affected area.

After spraying the area with the baking soda solution, scrub the surface to remove the mold. Then, wash the baking soda mixture off with water. 

Lastly, for mold protection, spray the baking soda solution again. This time, leave it to dry. 

 

2. Using hydrogen peroxide

Another one of the most effective accessible mold-killing solutions is hydrogen peroxide. It is quite potent, though, and should not always be the go-to when cleaning the mold. When you’re using hydrogen peroxide, remember to do a patch test first.

In using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning, it would be efficient to put it in a spray bottle. Remember to protect your face while you spritz the solution on the mold affected area. 

Also, leave the solution on the surface for ten minutes. Then, scrub the area down to get rid of the stains. Wash the surface with water and air dry. 

 

3. Using vinegar

Vinegar is a readily accessible solution to mold on ceilings. It is effective not only in disinfecting mold contamination but also in removing mold stains.

In using it to clean off mold, pour white vinegar in a spray bottle. Put on goggles, then spray it on the mold. Leave the mixture there for an hour.

Then, lightly wash the vinegar off with a spritz of water. After that, leave the surface to dry. If the vinegar smell hasn’t dissipated, put a bowl of lemon water in the room. 

That’s it; those are the inexpensive solutions to mold clean-up. If you wish to know more about mold inspection, here’s an article about the cost of a professional mold inspection.

 

Tips on taking care of your ceiling

To eliminate the chances of mold growth, here are some tips for you:

 

Roof maintenance

A roof leak is one of the common causes of mold growth in ceilings. Hence, it would benefit you to check your roof’s state now and then. Roof maintenance would also help you from expensive water damage and mold removal costs. 

 

Ventilate

Ventilate the room to prevent high levels of moisture. Letting moisture sit in a room for too long invites mold spores. 

Mold spores are always in the air. To remove them, here is an article with three tips on eradicating airborne mold spores.

Part of improving the ventilation in your home is having dehumidifiers to maintain the humidity levels in your home. Apart from dehumidifiers, improve your house’s insulation as well. 

 

Conclusion

Learning how to clean mold from ceiling may save you some money, especially when it’s manageable. However, remember that some mold contamination issues aren’t always amended by DIY solutions. If you think that the mold damage is extensive, contact a mold inspection and remediation company immediately.

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