How To Remove Mold From Wall (7 Best Methods)

Contents show

What Are Molds?

Molds are microscopic fungi usually found where moisture content or poor ventilation is present, especially in damp areas. In this article, we have discussed the 7 best methods to remove mold from wall.

How To Remove Mold From Wall — *bondcleaningincanberra.com.au*

The main reason for mold growth on walls is uncontrolled moisture incursion in condensation liquid flow, high humidity, and or capillary action that dampens building materials.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other reliable sources have suggested that chances of mold growth can start within 24 to 48 hours after building materials become wet or subjected to dampness.

There are different types of molds based on their color appearances, such as Black mold, blue mold, white mold, and green mold. All these molds can be seen in a high damp environment of the building, such as the basement, bathroom walls, ceilings, and damp corners.

So, it is necessary to make periodic inspections for moisture incursion and take quick action to prevent it from spreading.

Causes Of Mold Growth In Wall

Here are the causes of mold growth in wall:

As we know, dampness is the main reason for mold growth, so a site with poor drainage, water standing in the basement, inadequate building protection can be the main cause.

Quality of the products or materials used during construction, such as poor wall paints, low-quality woods.

Humid conditions and lack of proper ventilation.

Any plumbing leaks in the wall or floor may lead to mold growth.

Poor design or any defects during construction that allow moisture incursion.

Molds are usually seen in the interior walls, ceilings, floors, bathroom, kitchen, laundry room, basement, and other areas without proper ventilation.

Signs Of Molds In Wall

What are the signs that show mold growth? Following are the signs that you must look after to avoid further problems.

Damp smell in the room or from the affected area.
Loss of color from the affected area.
The appearance of Black dots, streaks, and specks.
Bulging of the affected area.
Peeling of paint and crack formations.

How to Remove Mold from Your Walls

Let’s discuss some effective methods to remove mold from your walls on your own by using household products.

1. Identify The Causes Of Mold

At first, you need to identify the root cause of the mold and decide on a suitable mold removal method. The primary reason will likely be any water leak that caused the mold to be repaired as soon as possible.

2. Clean The Affected Area On The Wall

Before removing the mold from the walls, make sure you clear the area. Like, remove any fabrics, furniture, and electrical equipment from the affected area.

Now place a plastic cover below the affected area to collect the waste like paint peelings. Now rub the affected area by using a sponge with liquid detergent. Make sure you remove all the dirt from the affected area.

It is recommended to use protective gear like hand gloves and safety glasses, and masks to avoid direct contact while cleaning. And make sure you keep open windows and doors as we know mold forms a damp smell.

3. Remove The Mold

There are many ways to remove the molds from walls, and these can be done by yourself without consulting the expert by using household products like white vinegar, borax, tea tree oil, and baking soda.

But make sure you follow the correct procedure and follow the safety guidelines. So we have listed some among them in detail.

i) White Vinegar

The vinegar you use for cooking is one of the most effective materials to remove molds from all types of walls. It is said that white vinegar can kill or remove 82 percent of mold spores.

Now fill a spray bottle with white distilled vinegar and spray on the mold affected area of the wall. Leave it for an hour, then clean the surface with a sponge and warm water.

After cleaning, make sure you scrub the area and remove any residual mold from the area. At last, Spray white distilled vinegar one more time to make sure all the mold is killed or removed.

ii) Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is one of the best materials against mold, as it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. So basically, one teaspoon of tea tree oil and two cups of water are added to a spray bottle. The prepared solution is sprayed on the affected area and cleaned using a clean cloth.

This method is most suitable for removing mold from painted and wallpapered walls. In this treatment, the solution’s rise is not required as the eta tree oil on the affected area will kill the mold and prevent it from returning.

iii) Borax

Take a container, add one cup of borax and two to three liters of warm water, and close the container. Now shake the container so well to dissolve the borax. Now add the solution to a spray bottle and spray on the affected area.

After some time, scrub the area with a brush and clean it with a clean cloth and allow it to dry. In the case of this method, it is not necessary to rinse off the solution.

iv) Baking Soda

Baking soda is widely used in many DIY projects because it is a natural disinfectant that can be used to remove or kill molds, and baking soda helps to remove the damp smell.

Make a solution by mixing one teaspoon of baking soda and two cups of water in a spray bottle. Now follow the same steps as other methods, spray on the affected area and scrub the area with a brush to remove the mold.

After scrubbing and removing the mold, It is necessary to rinse the affected area with warm water to remove any remaining mold from the surface.

v) Bleach

Bleach is good to remove mold from porous walls, and it will kill roots on porous surfaces without penetration. But before you start cleaning, test some bleach solutions on a discreet part of the wall, which will ensure that it will not harm the wall finish.

First, mix one part of bleach with three parts of water and apply the solution to the affected wall. After that, leave it for 10 minutes, then scrub the wall with a brush. Finally, rinse with clean water and let it dry.

vi) Hydrogen Peroxide And Vinegar

Hydrogen peroxide is excellent for killing mold due to its anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. You can use hydrogen peroxide on porous and non-porous walls.

When combined with distilled white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, the solution becomes stronger and safer to kill molds. Unlike bleach, it doesn’t produce toxic fumes or leaves behind toxic residue.

Pour 3% concentration of undiluted hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and spray it on the affected wall. Leave it for 10 – 15 minutes, and then scrub the walls with a brush to remove the mold.

vii) Grapefruit Seed Extract

The grapefruit seed extract is another good option to remove mold from walls. Its citric acid attacks mold and kills it naturally.

Use a spray bottle, add 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract with one cup of water. Before spraying it on the affected portion don’t forget to shake the bottle.

Finally, wipe away the mold and solution using a clean cloth after a few minutes. You can repeat this process every 3-4 days to prevent it from growing back.

6 Preventive Measures You Need To Follow

1. Install an electric de-humidifier.
2. Upgrade your building insulation.
3. Keep your kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces well ventilated to avoid humid conditions.
3. Try to identify the leaks as early as possible.
4. Use good quality and trusted products during construction.
5. Prevent condensation on exterior parts of the building.