How to remove mould stains from walls

[EricL]

Difficulty: Beginner

Mould often grows quickly in moist, unventilated places like bathroom walls or laundries. Getting rid of unsightly mould stains can keep your home clean and fresh.

Here is a simple guide on how to remove mould stains from walls. 

As this project involves chemicals, please follow all safety guidelines provided by manufacturers and use the recommended protective gear.

Let us know if you have any questions. We’d be happy to assist.

Steps

Step 1

Determine the cause of mould growth.

Put on your safety gloves, glasses and mask. Using the tips of your fingers press into the affected wall and check for any soft or spongy areas. Make sure to check the entire wall.

If you find a soft spot, then it is likely there is a water leak behind the wall. The next steps would be to locate the source of the leak, fix the leak and then replace the damaged part of the wall.

If the wall is stiff and rigid, then it is likely that the source of the mould is from excessive moisture present in the air.

Before cleaning the wall, check for ways to increase airflow in the room, including keeping doors and windows open. Refer to this Bunnings article on How to control mould for more tips.

    

Step 2

Begin removing mould stains by spraying vinegar solution on the wall.

Fill a 1L spray bottle with one cup of water and one cup of vinegar. For larger infestations, use one undiluted cup of vinegar.

Make sure your spray bottle is tightly secured. Now spray the solution on the wall. Apply a generous amount and cover the entire affected area.

Leave the vinegar solution on the wall to soak for at least 45 minutes.

          

Step 3

Scrub the wall with dishwashing liquid.

While waiting for the vinegar solution to soak, fill a bucket with 2L of warm water. Add 10 drops of dishwashing liquid.

Now dip a rough sponge in the dishwashing solution. You can use a tile sponge. Squeeze it to remove any excess solution. Start cleaning the wall in clockwise motions. Apply medium pressure on stains.

Rinse your sponge often. Change the dishwashing solution if it gets too dirty.

      

Step 4

Rinse the wall with water.

Once the mould stains are gone, rinse the sponge out completely. Then dip it in a bucket of plain water. Squeeze it to remove any excess water.

Now scrub the wall again to remove any remaining dishwashing solution on the wall. 

Leave the wall to air dry. 

Don't forget to rinse the cleaning sponge thoroughly after you are done to prevent mould spores from spreading inside your house. Let it dry under direct sunlight. Do this for any other rags or clothes you have used as well. Wash your work clothes separately.

  

Materials

• One cup vinegar
• Water
• Dishwashing liquid.

Tools

• Disposable gloves
• Safety glasses
• N95 mask
• 1L spray bottle
• Tile sponge
• Bucket.

Images

                          

[KatieC]

Thanks, @EricL!

Need more advice on how to clean walls? Check out these Best Advice articles: 

• How do you prevent or remove mould?

• How do you remove mould from the bathroom?

• How do you remove marks from a wall?

Let us know what cleaning project you are tackling next, we're always here to help. 

Katie

[RFox]

As indicated above, mold is only the indicator of a larger problem. Mold is more likely to form in rooms with higher humidity and poor ventilation.
Removing the visible mold usually doesn't solve the problem.

In many cases, it's a good idea to hire a mold expert to do a mold inspection to identify the source of the moisture.

[EricL]

Hi @RFox 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion.

I totally agree with your assessment, mould is often an indicator of a larger problem. There is probably a trapped source of moisture that's causing the mould to build up on the wall. Another possible cause is that the room is very airtight and thereby trapping the moisture in the room. Getting a mould specialist in your home is an excellent way of tracking down the source of the moisture.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge on mould infestations.

Eric

[teej888]

I'd suggest contacting your insurer. Even if it's atmospheric mould, there may be coverage however go assess the claim theyll engage trades who are better equipped to determine causation, the extent of any further damage, etc. They'll engage restorers who are adequately trained to treat the type of mould, etc.

There is significant risk by attempting to diy it. Whether someone is injured by trying to use chemicals for which they aren't trained, sickness from mould which wasn't properly treated, or not identifying the full extent of damage. If maintenance issues caused the damage and it remains unidentified and therefore not attended to, it's risking further damage which may be far more extensive. 

If insurance excess is too high or not an option, engaging a professional restorer to assess and treat the mould is a far better option rather than just attempting it yourself. 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @teej888. It's marvellous to have you join us, and many thanks for jumping into the discussion.

It's always great hearing from members with first-hand experience on a topic, especially when it's common household issues we all experience like removing mould from walls. I trust our members will appreciate your valuable feedback.

We'll be looking forward to hearing all about your projects and plans around the house and garden. Please reach out anytime you need assistance or have something to share with the community.

Mitchell

[elahnz]

Do you wait 45 minutes for the vinegar solution to soak in before scrubbing with dishwashing liquid?

[EricL]

Hello @elahnz 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. Thank you for joining the discussion.

It's important that you allow the vinegar to soak into the mould stains for at least 45 minutes. This will allow the vinegar to travel into the roots of the mould effectively reducing their ability to multiply. Once the waiting time has passed you can begin scrubbing it with your sponge and dishwashing liquid.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric