How to Remove Mildew From Walls and Ceilings

Seeing fuzzy black or green spots on a bathroom wall or kitchen ceiling? Chances are it's mildew--the common name for the various spores that are both a health hazard and a homeowner's nightmare. Once inside walls and ceilings, mildew is tough to remove. Send these nasty interlopers packing quickly.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine Bleach
• Plastic Spray Bottle
• Anti-mildew Paint
• Plastic Scrubber Sponge
• Powder Laundry Detergent
• Rubber Or Latex Gloves
• Bucket
• Stepladder

Walls

1. Wear rubber or latex gloves. Spray the wall with a solution of 1/2 cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) chlorine bleach, 1/3 cup (3 fl oz/80 ml) powder laundry detergent and 1 gallon (4 l) hot water, working from the base of the wall up. (Or you can use a commercial mildewcide, though it's much more expensive than mixing your own.)

2. Gently scrub away surface mildew using a plastic scrubber sponge.

3. Using the scrubber sponge, rinse thoroughly with fresh water.

4. Once dry, consider applying a coat of paint containing an antimildew agent so you don't have to do this again any time soon.

Ceilings

1. Wear rubber or latex gloves. Dip a scrubber sponge in a bucket filled with a solution of 1/2 cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) chlorine bleach, 1/3 cup (3 fl oz/80 ml) powder laundry detergent and 1 gallon (4 l) hot water. (Or you can use a commercial mildewcide, but it's much more expensive than mixing your own.) Squeeze out the excess.

2. Standing on a stepladder, carefully scrub the affected areas.

3. Fill the bucket with fresh water. Using the scrubber sponge, rinse thoroughly.

4. Once dry, consider applying an anti-mildew paint.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep cleaning solution from dripping onto carpeting or floors.

• Prevent mildew by using exhaust fans when cooking and showering.

• Throw open windows often to decrease humidity.

• See How to Troubleshoot Mold on Interior Walls for more ways to prevent mildew.

• Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning with bleach.

• Make sure the room is well ventilated to avoid inhaling hazardous bleach fumes.