How to Get Rid of Mold from Walls
So, you have just thought to yourself how your home is finally perfect. Then you spot it in your bathroom corner – mold. Do not worry, you won't have to splurge on yet another home repair project, because most molds are relatively easy and inexpensive to get rid of.
Where and how will you find mold?
A mold is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. Author Provided
You will most commonly find it in humid areas. Mold can grow in bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, along the walls, up high near the ceiling, down low near the floor, or along edges of trim or baseboards. You can recognize it easily as spots of different colors: green, brown, orange, or black. However, there are other signs that are good to know as well, such as bulging in the walls, the paint cracking or peeling, discoloration, or a damp smell.
How to get rid of it?
There are several ways to get rid of mold, which includes borax, hydrogen peroxide, or bleach.
1. Combine 2 tablespoons of borax, 2 ounces of distilled white vinegar, and 16 ounces of hot water in a spray bottle.
This can be used for wallpaper, as well as finished or painted surfaces. Spray the area lightly - it shouldn't be dripping – and scrub it with a cloth or a brush. Wait 10 minutes before repeating. Let the area dry overnight without rinsing to make sure the remaining unseen mold is killed.
2. Dilute one cup of bleach with at least one gallon of water.
Bleach is not so good at penetrating surfaces. While this method won't work on concrete, drywall, or unsealed grout, it is extremely useful on sealed surfaces, such as glass or sealed tile.
Just spray or wipe the bleach solution on mold-covered surfaces. You can use a cloth, a sponge, or a brush. Let the area dry overnight.
Be careful when working with bleach and wear protective gear and respirator if in poorly ventilated areas. Never mix vinegar or ammonia with bleach.
3. Pour 3% hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle.
Peroxide is excellent not only for removing mold, especially from concrete basement walls but also for cleaning all kinds of stains from white walls.
Just spray the area with peroxide, let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub it with a bristle brush. If possible, hose off the walls afterward, or clean them with warm water, and dry with a clean towel to prevent the mold from growing again.
What else should you know?
In the end, we're leaving you with a few tips. There are some small mistakes we all make in our daily lives that can contribute to mold growth, so keep these in mind:
Wipe up puddles or spills immediately,
Leave the bathroom door/window open for at least 20 minutes after showering, or shower with the door open, if possible,
Spread out damp towels to dry quickly,
Fix your cracks promptly,
Clean your gutters in the spring and fall,
Make some space between your furniture and the walls,
Avoid air-drying your laundry indoors.
Check out other useful guides on our website and learn how to make the best use of new lighting features or design your kitchen with an eye on both luxury and convenience.