Black, brown or green fuzzy spots on walls and ceilings are common sights during hot, humid and winter seasons. It is mould, a form of fungus that grows in damp, dark and untouched areas that constantly exposed to moisture and water. The fungus can grow within 2-4 hours on a damp surface if your home’s indoor air has high concentration of mould spores.
Therefore, your bathroom, kitchen or laundry room walls/ceilings are more susceptible to mould infestation. You must remove mould as soon you notice it because a significant development would require professional remediation. If you are
ending a tenancy, hire professional end of lease cleaners in Newcastle to deep clean your rental property.
But,
if you want to tackle mould on a wall or ceiling at home, you must know common mould removal methods and what precautions to take. Thus, here is your complete guide outlining simple mould cleaning methods and safety tips. Have a look.
Safety Precautions to Take While Removing Mould
Inhaling mould spores causes serious respiratory diseases and it is extremely dangerous for people with
compromised immune systems, allergies or respiratory conditions. Therefore, you must exercise the following precautions while cleaning mould from walls or ceilings.
Open the door and windows to keep rooms well-ventilated.
Wear gloves, mask, goggles and overall
Avoid touching the mouldy wall or ceiling with bare hands
Never mix ammonia and bleach with each other or other cleaner because it will cause dangerous fumes.
Keep children, pets and other household out of a room where you are cleaning mould.
Pre-Clean with Soap & Water
Besides mould, walls and ceilings can have dust and dirt that can shield the fungi from sanitisers and disinfectants. Therefore, to eliminate mould effectively and efficiently, pre-clean the affected areas with soap and warm water. Add the soap solution to a spray bottle and saturate the mouldy surface with it.
Next, scrub with a sponge or brush then wipe the residues with damp disposable rags. After pre-cleaning, you can treat the mould further with the following methods.
Remove Mould with Bleach
Bleach is an effective disinfectant that can kill most bacteria, viruses and fungi. Bleach undiluted is extremely strong, which is why to remove mould with it, make a solution of 10 parts of water and one part of bleach in a spray bottle.
Apply this solution generously on the mould spots and wait for 10 minutes before wiping with a damp cloth. Even
professional end of lease cleaners Newcastle use this solution to disinfect other household surfaces as well.
Steam Clean Mould
Mould cannot survive temperatures between 65 – 185℃ and steam can easily reach a temperature of 100℃ and have higher temperature with increased pressure.
Therefore, it can kill mould instantly upon contact, making it perfect for cleaning walls and ceiling made with materials like stone, sealed tiles, hardwood, etc. A steamer is a deep
cleaning tool worth every penny and it will get rid of mould from most surfaces in your house. Just ensure the surface is dry afterwards and while steam maintain a distance of at least 2-3 inches to prevent damage.
Treat Mould With Vinegar
Don’t want to expose yourself or others to toxic fumes of bleach? Treat mould with white vinegar which can kill fungus. Spray this solution undiluted on the mouldy wall or ceiling and wait for a hour. If the solution dries before the dwell time is over, reapply it. Lastly, scrub with a sponge and wash with water or wipe with a damp cloth.
Tip: To prevent mould regrowth, spray the clean walls/ceilings with vinegar and let it air dry. This step will cure the surfaces and make them unsuitable for mould development. But, don’t do this if you are performing
end of lease cleaning.
Kill Mould With Hydrogen Peroxide
Add 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and apply it on the mouldy wall or ceiling. Let it rest for 10 minutes or wait until the bubbling stops.
Next, gently scrub the mould with a soft sponge and wipe with a rag. Before using hydrogen peroxide on a wall or ceiling, test it on an inconspicuous area. This solution can bleach certain surfaces, which is why testing it before use is a precaution you must take.
Use Clove Oil To Kill Mould
After you have cleaned the surface with soap and water, dry it completely then spray a solution of water and clover oil. Mix ¼ teaspoon of clove oil in 1 litre of water to get the best results.
After spraying the solution, leave it overnight and the spores will die and fall off the surface, treating the walls and ceiling. This hack comes in handy to
clean hard-to-reach spaces.
Wrapping Up
Mould is a pesky pest that can keep reappearing even after repeated cleaning. Therefore, get to the root cause like water damage, dampness, humidity etc. In addition to tackling the root cause, use the mould cleaning methods shared above to keep your walls and ceilings free of fungal growth.