How to Remove Mold from Walls and Other Surfaces

How to Remove Mold from Walls and Other Surfaces

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Ways to use household ingredients to get rid of mold on painted walls and other surfaces, and steps you can take to prevent its return.

Mold does not go away on its own. If neglected, it will continue to spread and can become a permanent stain and problem. Learn the signs of mold growth and get rid of it with homemade mold killing sprays you can make from common household ingredients. Then follow a few tips that control your home’s humidity to help prevent its return.

Signs of Mold Growth

Mold produces green, brown, orange, or even black spots. But there are other, less apparent signs:

• Cracked or peeling paint
• Discoloration
• A recurrent “soot” or black streaks, specks, or dots
• Bulging
• A musty odor or damp smell
• Allergy symptoms

Mold Removal Safety Tips

Wear protective clothing. A filtered dust mask can keep you from breathing mold spores. Googles prevent irritation from mold spores and sprays. To protect your skin, wear rubber gloves, long sleeves, and pants that you can launder in hot water as soon as you’re done.

Protect nearby furnishings. If the area you’re treating is large, protect the surrounding furnishings and floor by covering them with plastic sheeting taped in place.

Do not use different treatments at the same time. Never use the ingredients in the separate DIY mold killers together or at the same time in a room. The combination can produce hazardous fumes.

Stop if you feel ill. Some people have greater sensitivity to mold or mildew spores. If you are allergic to mold or experience allergy symptoms while removing it, do not proceed.

DIY Natural Mold Remover Spray

Used to remove mold on walls without damaging paint or washable wallpaper, non-textured ceilings, rugs, and washable fabrics.

• 2 tablespoons of borax
• 2 ounces of white vinegar
• 16 ounces of hot water

1. Combine in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the area well, then immediately scrub it with a clean cloth or brush to remove the surface layer of mold.
3. Reapply lightly to just dampen the area. Wait 10 minutes and wipe it with a clean dry cloth. Do not rinse.
4. Leave the area to dry overnight. Inspect the next day and repeat if needed. Otherwise, wipe the spot with a damp cloth and let it air dry.

DIY Bleach-Based Mold Remover Spray

Used to remove mold on tile, stone, concrete, popcorn or knockdown ceilings, and cement.

• 2 ounces chlorine bleach
• 16 ounces water

1. Combine in a spray bottle.
2. Apply to saturate the area but avoid dripping. Immediately scrub it with a rag, scouring pad, or brush and wipe away the residue.
3. Lightly reapply the area, wait 15 minutes, and wipe the area with a fresh cloth dampened with water.
4. Let the area dry overnight and inspect it the next day. Repeat if needed.

How to Remove Mold on Drywall

It’s best to remove and replace moldy drywall. Bare drywall or sheetrock is porous, so the mold has likely threaded its way below the surface. If you can’t remove and replace it, mist the area with the homemade bleach-based mold remover and immediately wipe the surface. Then seal the spot by applying a primer like Zinser Mold-Killing Primer or Killz Mold & Mildew — they both kill mold and cover the stain so you’re ready for paint.

See the “Mold and Mildew Control” section in my Amazon shop.

Mold Prevention Tips

• Window condensation in the summer: Some condensation on glass windows and doors is unavoidable on scorching hot days. Do not let the condensation sit in place. Aim fans at the glass or wipe away the condensation with a cloth or squeegee on them daily.

• Window condensation in the winter: This is a sign of cold outdoor air entering your warm home. Add weatherstripping around doors and caulk gaps around windows.
• Mold in bathrooms: Run exhaust fans for 15 minutes after every shower. Use a squeegee to dry off shower walls and glass shower doors, or shake excess moisture on shower curtains and leave them open 1 foot to either side to promote air circulation.

• Regularly inspect sinks, toilets, and drains. Watch for moisture at the base of toilets and beneath your sinks. Check your washing machine and refrigerator water hoses monthly, and immediately fix any leaks you find.

• Monitor your home’s humidity levels. A hygrometer monitors humidity, so you know when to use a humidifier to add more in the winter or a dehumidifier to lower it in the summer. Together, these devices help you maintain humidity around the ideal 30-50%.