How To Clean Mold Off Walls

Mold is a serious look-killer. Any homeowner who cares about the aesthetics of their home will feel repelled by mold, but you can only do so much and so often.

Cleaning mold off the walls is a two-step process. You first have to target and control moisture buildup and also remove the existing mold. Clearing off existing mold is fairly easy, all you need is some water and an agent like bleach. Controlling moisture, however, is an entirely different problem to tackle.

Before any of that, however, you should familiarize yourself with the types of mold. Note that mildew is not mold.

• Black mold arises due to excessive moisture. It usually happens on the inside of the house. Moisture damage to the wallboard is the quickest way to get black mold. Abundant black mold should be removed with caution as some species of it can produce mycotoxins (like all other fungi can).
• White mold is found in damp environments like basements. White mold is different from a commonly confused mineral deposit called efflorescence. White mold will not dissolve in water.
• Blue mold also happens in damp and cold areas such as bathroom ceilings and walls. This mold thrives in conditions like the abundance of steam that’s typical after a shower.
• Green mold is more common and is caused by more generic damp conditions. Even a little moisture can cause green mold to appear in your walls or corners.

Controlling moisture is a difficult task.

The first step is to fix any leaks. Leaky roofs or basements are a big no-no. Mold arising out of leaks can cause considerable structural damage to the home. Waterlogged areas cause rapid mold buildup.

After leaks, your next target is minimizing indoor humidity. Certain areas or household conditions can cause a lot of indoor humidity, which can in turn cause mold. Keep the home well-ventilated. Warm and stagnant air causes higher moisture in the air. Bathrooms and kitchens are the most important to pay attention to.

You can also refresh the caulk around windows and insulate your home better using other means if you think outside moisture has something to do with the mold buildup. In this case, however, you are more likely to have mold on the exterior, like at the base of your home, than on the inside.

Lastly, fix condensation issues within your home. Insulating walls, windows, roofs, and pipes reduces condensation. You can also insulate basement walls and attics.