Bathrooms are highly susceptible to mold infestation. So, if you have noticed any suspicious spots appearing on your bathroom ceiling recently, you should disinfect the area as soon as possible. To help you out, we have put together a guide on how to remove mold from bathroom ceilings that includes a list of products to use, step-by-step instructions, and some pro tips that may come in handy.
However, before we delve into the nitty-gritty of removing mold from your bathroom ceiling, we must discuss the most common reasons behind mold infestation.
Mold and mildew need two things to thrive – a damp environment and an organic food source. Since bathrooms are the only spots in any home that remain wet for a prolonged period, they serve as an ideal breeding ground for such microbes. Cellulose and cotton, commonly found in wood and paper, act as the food source for mold spores. More often than not, homeowners fail to notice the infestation before it spreads to other parts of the bathroom.
It is also worth mentioning that some types of mold can be harmful to your health. Exposure to mold spores can cause red eyes, skin irritation, stuffy nose, wheezing, and other similar problems. If someone has respiratory issues such as asthma, their condition may worsen after coming in contact with mold, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Let’s take a look at how to remove mold from bathroom ceilings using DIY cleaning solutions.
What You Will Need
Here are some of the cleaning supplies and safety equipment you will need to remove mold from your bathroom ceiling.
Step ladder
- 2021 UPGRADE STEP LADDER—Open: 20.1 x 26.8 x 40.9, Folded: 44.5 X 20.1 X 1.6, Net Weight: 11.5 pounds, Maximum Load: 500 pounds. HBTower Safety Folding 3 Step Steel Ladder is made for you!
- PORTABLE AND SPACE-SAVING: This Folding Step Stools Comes fully assembled!Lock and open system for easily open and fold. It folded to just 1.6 D for storage and transportation. Easy to carry for using indoor or outdoor.
- SECURITY AND STABILITY—High-grade steel frame is constructed with strength and reliability. Metal safe buckle automatically locked in place when you use the step ladder. The back cross brace structure reinforce the basic support which will make you feel more safe climbing up the step ladder.
- NON-SLIP DESIGN: The 3 step ladder has non-slip rubber handgrip making the stool easy to climb and carry. Wide pedals with non-slip rubber pattern offer heel-to-toe foot support. Big rubber feet fully touch the groud to stays firmly and prevent floors from scratches. (NOTE: Improper use of rubber feet will cause the step ladder to shake left and right. Please make sure that the rubber feet are in full contact with the ground.)
- HASSLE FREE WARRANTY: You can get 2 years warranty, 100% money back guarantee, and 24-hours friendly customer service. Any problem please contact us without hesitation.
Rubber gloves
- MULTI-PURPOSE APPLICATIONS - Perfect for dishwashing, pool maintenance, logistics, cleaning (ex. pond gutter grain), car/cloth washing, kitchen/bathroom using, working, painting, gardening, fishing, pet caring, daily chores,DIY and any household duties.
- MATERIAL - Made with highly flexible waterproof rubber for great comfort & dexterity. Anti-slip embossed palm for an excellent grip. They smelled a bit rubbery and chemical-like when you first took them out of the packaging, but after airing them out they will be fine. Allergic people or people sensitive to rubber smell should use in caution. No flocked Lining.
- HEAT PROTECTION & COLD RESISTANT - 100g extra thickness latex gloves for better wear-resistant. Keep your hands comfortable from hot water up to 50°C/122°F and temperature down to 0°C/32°F
- 12CM LONG SLEEVE & VALUE PACK -12cm/4.7 in. long pull on closure sleeve to safeguard users hands up to the forearm. 3 pairs per pack to save your money
- CA65 & REACH Approved - Tested by Intertek which is certified by ISO17025 international standard and meet CA Prop. 65 regulations, comply with the EU REACH regulat
Face mask
- Portable Protective Barrier:Easy to wear, no need to adjust it when you wearing. The soft elastic ear loop design helps to relieve pressure on the ears and can improve comfortability.
- The tested filtration efficiency is greater than 95 percent:The filter efficiency of this KN95 mask is over 95 percent, which can protect you in the critical time.
- 5-Ply Protective Layer: KN95 masks are made of 2 outer non-woven Layers, 2 inner melt-blown filtering layers, and 1 middle non-woven cotton layer to absorb the moisture. The 5-ply KN95 masks are designed for more protection than the 3-ply disposable masks.
- Inserted Nose Clip: Anti-Fall Design:The metal nose clip is fixed inside the mask, so you do not need to worry that the inserted nose clip will fall off. Besides, the flexible metal nose clip makes it easier to fit face more or less tightly.
- Disclaimer: This KN95 mask is NOT an N95 mask. For more information about KN95 masks please see the following before you purchase: amazon.com/AboutKN9
Safety goggles
- Anti-Fog Wide-Vision Lab Safety Goggle,Eye Protection for Classroom Lab, Home, and Workplace Safety
- Safety Goggle Chemical Splash and Impact Resistant Goggle Clear Anti-Fog/Anti-Scratch Coating Protective Eyewear
- Polycarbonate lens: clear lens, good visual effect, splash-proof, effective UV blocking
- Soft edge design: the frame is made of lightweight PVC, soft and bendable, comfortable to wear, no pressure feeling
- Adjustable head belt: The elastic band design to facilitate the fastening of the head circumference. It has wide space and its suitable for various head circumferenc
Spray bottles
- 【ADJUSTABLE NOZZLE】 From a fine mist to a solid stream, the sprayer can be easily adjusted to suit your needs. Be prepared to tackle any job with a simple twist of the nozzle! Avoid waste with our extra-long tube thatll spray every last drop out!
- 【CHEMICAL RESISTANT】 The heavy duty 24 oz (about 700 ml) sprayer bottle is chemically resistant to hold up against harsh chemicals and solvents. On the side of each bottle is a checklist to stay organized and remain informed as to what the bottle contains. (Also comes with labels to meet your need)
- 【UPGRADED SPRAY HEAD & LEAK PROOF】 Our sprayer features a long lasting polypropylene spray head, tight and secure cap closure, internal cap gasket, 302 stainless steel spring and a precision valve and piston, for a no clog and no leak experience; A proven and reliable no leak venting system primes quickly and stays primed.
- 【HOUSEHOLD-COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL USES】 Our spray bottles for multi purpose uses. Use them for cleaning solutions around the house, pet, cat, lawn and garden, misting and watering plants, succulents, herbs, ironing, laundry, car detailing, janitorial. Make your own homemade diy cleaner mister or just use with water to cool yourself.
- 【BETTER TRIGGER DESIGN】 The unique design 4-finger trigger makes your fingers rest easily on it and the bottle fit comfortably in your hand, eliminating hand fatigue; Adjustable red nozzle turns easily letting you switch from mist, stream or to off; Pull trigger has a short effortless squeeze reducing finger fatig
Scrubbing brush
- Quality & durable bristles: Amazer scrub brush boasts extra-tough fibers for easy scrubbing of large areas. Efficiently clean hard-to-clean dirt around your bathroom or kitchen
- Comfortable grip: The ergonomically shaped handle makes it easy to apply pressure as you scrub without straining your body. The dual tone design features rubber grooves that make it more comfortable to hold
- Apply to all surfaces: The scrub brush head features strength bristles for hard and soft scrubbing of tubs, tile walls, carpet, floor and so on
- Long-term durability: Stiff white bristles firmly attached to scrub brush head; Durable bristles stand up after sustained use; The Amazer scrub brush will stand up to the test of time
- Ergonomic design: Easy to apply force and allows for heavy duty cleaning. Efficiently clean hard-to-clean dirt around your bathroom or kitchen. The brush air dries quick
Bleach
- Clean, disinfect, and deodorize with the power of Clorox Bleach concentrated formula
- For use in HE and standard washing machines
- A registered disinfectant that kills up to 99.9 percent of household germs and bacteria
- Excellent antibacterial, germicidal and fungicidal properties,
- Perfect for cleaning and disinfecting around your home or office, Easy to grip handle prevents spill
White vinegar
- Why Customers Choose Lucy’s Vinegar - From cleaning to cooking, Lucys 5% Distilled White Vinegar is simply the right choice! Because of our Vinegars bargins, absence of preservatives, durable bottle design, secure seal, and Kosher Certification, customers around the country have fallen in love with Lucy’s vinegar!
- Cooking - Spices up dipping sauces, develops flavor, makes homemade bread crusts golden brown, freshens wilted vegetable’s, substitutes for salt or buttermilk and can be used for much much more!
- Cleaning - Yes! White Vinegar for cleaning works fantastically. Check out some of our customer reviews to see how theyve applied our Vinegar for their cleaning needs.
- We Love What We Do - One of the sweetest fruits of our labors are the responses we receive from our customers all over the country. Whether it’s simply to dress up a vinaigrette, enhancing pastries, or cleaning the restaurant counters, we stand amazed at the usefulness and enjoyment that Lucy’s White Vinegar brings each of our neighbors.
- Family Owned & Family Run - Here at Lucys, we seek to achieve one purpose: To love God with all of our heart & to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. From our family to yours, thank you for being one of our cherished custome
3% Hydrogen Peroxide
- EFFECTIVE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE – The 16 fl. oz, 3% USP Dealmed Hydrogen Peroxide is used by doctors, hospitals, and at home. The healthcare hydrogen peroxide helps clean to prevent infection and aids in the healing process.
- WIDE VARIETY OF USES – Although commonly used throughout the medical field at doctors offices and medical facilities, this hydrogen peroxide cleaner is the perfect addition to any classroom and at home first aid kit.
- HYDROGEN PEROXIDE MOUTH WASH – This oral wash is helpful in healing canker sores, cold sores, and gingivitis when gargled in the mouth. It also aids in the removal of mucus and supports cleanliness in the mouth.
- ON THE GO USAGE – For convenient use, the hydrogen peroxide multi-purpose cleaner is packaged in an easy-to-open container for quick, hassle-free access. Its screw on, leak resistant lid and temper evident cap make for safe travels.
- MADE IN USA – This agent is composed of just oxygen and water and made without toxins, impurities, or harmful qualities. This is a treatment that contains no harsh chemicals and made in the U.S
Step 1: Ventilate the Bathroom
The first step in our guide on removing mold from the bathroom ceiling is to ventilate the area. In other words, before you begin scrubbing the affected area to get rid of the mold, consider opening the windows to ensure better ventilation. It may also be good to close the vents to spread the mold spores through your entire home.
You can also consider renting a HEPA filter that removes the allergens and harmful microbes from the indoor air.
Step 2: Put On the Suitable Protective Gear
It is necessary to wear rubber gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask to protect yourself from the mold spores, which will dislodge from the surface once you start cleaning it. Moreover, experts recommend wearing a long-sleeved shirt while removing mold, as the spores can cause irritation and rashes if they come in contact with your skin.
In worst-case scenarios, mold exposure can result in lung diseases. Accidentally inhaling the mold spores can also cause a host of illnesses.
Step 3: Saturate the Area with a Cleaning Solution
Although there are plenty of mold and mildew cleaning solutions available in the market, you never know how effective they might be. Moreover, some of the high-strength cleaners contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. Therefore, it is ideal to use a homemade cleaning solution to remove mold from your bathroom ceiling.
All you need to do is mix one part bleach with three parts water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. Shake it well before spraying the mixture on the mold-infested parts of the ceiling. You can use a step ladder to ensure better coverage. Once the mold is fully saturated, let it soak in the bleach mixture for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Step 4: Scrub the Mold off the Surface
After 15 minutes or so, step on the ladder once again and use a scrubbing brush to remove the mold and mildew. You can use a wider brush to clean the flat surface and a smaller brush to reach the corners between the walls and the ceiling. It will take some time, patience, and elbow grease to effectively disinfect the area.
If you are having trouble getting rid of the mold, please repeat steps 3 and 4 until you achieve the desired result.
Step 5: Kill the Roots of the Mold
While bleach can clean the mold off the surface, it may not be much effective against certain types of infestations. Therefore, you should consider using a stronger cleaning solution that will kill the mold roots and disinfect your bathroom.
To ensure your bathroom is clean and healthy, mix equal parts white vinegar and 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray this solution on your ceiling and walls to remove any type of mold that may not be visible to the naked eye. This cleaning mixture is very effective when it comes to disinfecting your home.
Allow the bathroom to air dry for the next couple of hours.
Our Final Thoughts
To summarize, please keep your bathroom well-ventilated and dry to reduce the chances of mold and mildew. However, if you notice any dark brown, green or black stains on your bathroom ceiling, immediately grab some rubber gloves and put on a mask and safety goggles before scrubbing the affected area. It is never a good idea to put off this chore because if you don’t tackle the mold as soon as possible, the situation may get out of hand.
Next, douse the area with the bleach-water solution and scrub the ceiling. Once the site looks clean and disinfected, spray it with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar to get rid of the underlying mold roots and ensure your bathroom is perfectly healthy and tidy. You should also ensure your bathroom doesn’t have any leaking pipes that may be causing mold infestation. Moreover, you can also consider investing in mold-resistant paint for better protection.
This brings us to the end of our guide on how to remove mold from bathroom ceiling. We hope our easy-to-follow steps will help you tackle the mold and mildew in your bathroom.