Cleaning Mold Bathroom Ceiling

Have you worked at cleaning mold bathroom ceiling spots only to have them surprise you by coming back? To really get rid of mold, you have to not only clean it away, you must also kill it. In problematic cases, it may even require replacing ceiling tiles or sheet rock.

Learn more about cleaning bathrooms and toilets.

Mold is more than unsightly, and untreated it presents a health risk. It spreads by releasing spores as it reproduces. When you see mold dotting your bathroom ceiling, it's more than unsightly or dirty. Mold is a living type of fungi and as such it needs moisture to grow. That's why mold and mildew are often found in bathrooms. Mold spores grow on almost any kind of surface when moisture is present. Once they start to grow, they digest the surface they're on and left untreated will damage and even destroy it.

Mold can grow on:

• Carpet
• Ceiling Tiles
• Insulation
• Paint
• Sheet Rock
• Wallpaper
• Wood

The problem is that mold spores will get into your home. You can't control that aspect of fighting mold. The key to control the humidity so they can't grow.

After cleaning mold bathroom ceiling spots, the ceiling may look clean but lingering mold spores can survive. Along with cleaning, you'll also want to treat the ceiling to kill any remaining spores.

If the mold on your bathroom ceiling covers ten square feet or less, it is considered a small area. (Mold that covers more of your ceiling than this may require professional services.)

Items Needed for Safety

• Goggles
• Gloves
• Cotton face mask

Steps to take Before Cleaning Bathroom Ceiling Mold

• Close off vents so spores cannot spread to other areas of the home during the cleaning process
• Open a window

Cleaning Mold from Bathroom Ceiling

• Wash the area with a cleaning solution of mild detergent and warm water.
• Let dry.
• Mix ¼ cup of bleach with one quart of water and apply the solution. Wait for 20 minutes and apply a second time. Allow another 20 minutes to dry.

Mold Prevention Now that the ceiling is clean, mix a solution of borate-based detergent (such as Borax) and apply it. This solution should not be rinsed, but left to stop mold from growing in the future. Borates have stain removal properties and control bacteria and fungi.

One you clean the mold from your bathroom ceiling, it's important to remove the moisture problem to make sure it doesn't come back. To do this, you'll want to determine the reason mold-producing moisture collected in the bathroom in the first place:

• Fix water leaks. If pipes run through your ceiling be sure to check for and repair any plumbing leaks. Pipes may need to be wrapped to prevent condensation.
• Increase ventilation. Open doors and windows to increase air flow. If you don't have a window in your bathroom, install an exhaust fan.
• Clean your bathroom regularly to eliminate any mold spores.

If your bathroom has a musty smell and little black or white specks dot your ceiling or walls, there's a chance that mold may also be growing behind your ceiling tiles or walls. Some molds release toxins, and hidden mold can lead to health problems, even in healthy people. When exposed to these toxins in high amounts you can suffer from symptoms including:

• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Lung irritation
• Eye irritation

If you suspect mold as the cause of your health problems, talk with your doctor and call in a professional to investigate.

If the mold in your bathroom isn't that serious, follow the steps above to clean up the problem and keep it under control.

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