How to Clean Mold Off of a Ceiling

Black mold on a ceiling is unsightly. In addition to being unsightly, mold has been linked to health problems like cancer and upper respiratory disease. Mold located on the ceiling is hard to clean due to being above your head. Having to hold your arms up for a long period of time or else run up and down a ladder make cleaning the ceiling a major task.

Having everything ready and close at hand before beginning will make the cleaning project go smoother. The supplies you need to gather before beginning this cleaning project are a bucket, bleach or borax, eye protection, gloves, a mask, and a mop. You will also need at least 2 gallons of hot water for washing and rinsing the molded area. Also, a sponge mop will break down quickly if dipped into a bleach solution so if you are using bleach use another style of mop.

Before mixing the cleaner and water you will need to put your protective gear on. The mask is optional if you are working in a well ventilated area, but it is highly recommended regardless. The eye protection and gloves are important because you will be working with chemicals and mold above your head and either one could drip down onto you.

Make sure the bucket is sitting on a flat surface before you fill it so it will not get knocked over. Pour one cup of bleach or borax - do not try to mix the two because you only need one - into the bucket and add one gallon of hot water. If your bucket is large and you want to make cleaner add double the amount of cleaner and water. You can use the mop to mix the cleaning solution so you do not need a stirring stick.

Get started by dipping the mop into the cleaning solution. Lift the mop out of the water and wring most of the excess water out of it. You will not want it to be too dry because the wetness of the cleaning solution is what breaks down the mold and prevents dry mold spores from drifting into the air.

Begin to rub the wet mop on the ceiling. If the ceiling has a pattern then you should follow the lines of the pattern. Getting the molded area clean might require two or three tries scrubbing with the mop. If it does not come clean the first time you ass over it wait about five minutes and try again.

When the ceiling is clean you can dump the bucket and fill it with clean hot water. Dip the mop into it and wipe the area with the clean water to rinse it off. Let the ceiling dry completely and look for ways to make sure the area does not become damp again. If the damp conditions are not eliminated, then new mold will grow. Consider things like a dehumidifier and ventilation improvements to accomplish this.