How to Clean Mould from Your Ceiling

If you have recently noticed patches of mould growing on the ceilings around your home, you need to take steps quickly to avoid the problem from getting worse and affecting your health.

Moulds spread using microscopic spores that can cause severe allergic reactions including asthma attacks in susceptible people, and some species such as toxic black mould release chemicals called mycotoxins into the air that can be very dangerous for people with weak immune systems such as young children and the elderly.

In most cases, mould is quite easy to clean yourself, but if you have any reaction, or are concerned that the species of mould growing in your home is toxic, then you should arrange for it to be removed professionally.

Put safety first with the right protective equipment

Before you start removing mould, it's crucial to protect yourself from potentially harmful mould spores. Make sure you have the following protective equipment:

• A high-quality mask, such as an N95 respirator, to avoid inhaling mould spores.
• Safety goggles to protect your eyes from mould spores and cleaning chemicals.
• Rubber gloves to prevent skin contact with mould and cleaning solutions.

It is also a good idea to wear old clothes if you are cleaning mould with bleach or strong chemicals, as they can damage the fabric and cause discolouration.

When cleaning mould from ceilings, ensure that you cover any furniture in the room with old sheets or polythene before you start, and make sure that when using a ladder, it is placed safely and that you have someone with you to prevent falls.

Cleaning mould from your ceiling

Step 1: Prepare the area

• Clear the room by removing as much furniture and personal items from the room as possible.
• Cover any remaining furniture with plastic sheets or drop cloths to prevent any cleaning fluids or mould spores from damaging it
• Open windows and doors to ensure proper ventilation while cleaning.

Step 2: Mix your cleaning solution

There are many ways to clean mould. Whether you are using a fungicide, bleach, or other household products, it is a good idea to prepare your cleaning solution in advance so that you don’t need to walk in and out of the room multiple times.

Some common mould cleaning products include:

• White vinegar: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with two parts water in a spray bottle.
• Bleach: Mix one cup of bleach with one gallon of water. Ensure proper ventilation and protect furniture as mentioned above.

Step 3: Apply the cleaning solution:

Once you are ready to clean, you will need to get close to the ceiling. Use a ladder and make sure that you have plenty of space to move around in as you clean the different parts of the room.

• Spray the cleaning solution directly onto the mouldy area of the ceiling. Make sure to saturate the mould completely.
• Allow the solution to sit for at least 10-15 minutes to penetrate and kill the mould. If you are using vinegar, it can take longer to work, so you may need to wait up to an hour for it to fully like the mould.

Step 4: Scrub the mould to remove it:

Once the cleaning solution has had a chance to act, you will need to scrub the area to remove the remaining material and clean away any other spores. During this part of the process, it is vitally important to wear eye and mouth protection and rinse your brush regularly.

• With a stiff-bristled brush, scrub the mouldy area to remove the mould. You might need to use a brush with a long handle, or an extendable brush in hard-to-reach areas such as above wardrobes.

Step 5: Rinse the area:

After scrubbing, rinse the area with clean water. You can use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe away the cleaning solution and mould residue. Again, make sure that you rinse the sponge regularly to prevent spreading any material around the ceiling.

Step 6: Dry the ceiling:

Use a dry cloth to wipe away excess moisture from the cleaned area.

Stopping Mould Coming Back

Cleaning mould is only a temporary solution, and unless you take steps to remove the source of humidity, the mould will return quickly.

The most effective way of reducing humidity in your home is to improve the ventilation. Proper extractor fans in your bathroom and kitchen will remove moist are from cooking and bathing before it has a chance to escape into other rooms. Modern extractor fans such as The EnviroVent Cyclone 8 feature humidity sensors that automatically adjust airflow and power levels to reduce humidity even faster.

If your home has mould growth in rooms with no obvious source of moisture, whole house ventilation may be more suitable. PIV (Positive Input Ventilation) works by drawing fresh air into your home to displace the stale humid air that causes condensation and mould. These systems can be retrofitted into most properties and run efficiently to improve airflow.

Professional help to stop mould permanently

EnviroVent offers a free home survey that will identify the sources of moisture that are causing mould in your home and can provide advice about the best way to deal with the problem.

Enter your postcode below to find a ventilation expert in your area and stop mould in your home permanently.