How to Remove Mold & Mildew From Drywall

Mold and mildew resulting from warm temperatures and high humidity can be effectively cleaned and removed using common household cleaners and equipment. This cleaning procedure is effective in removing even heavy concentrations of mildew, and once applied will significantly delay any recurrence of the problem.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup of liquid bleach
• 1/8 cup of liquid dish washing detergent
• 2-gallon bucket
• 1 1/2 gallons of warm water
• Pair of rubber gloves
• Cleaning sponge
• Plastic drop cloth
• Masking tape
• Three-step ladder

Instructions

1. Spread the plastic drop cloth to cover the floor or carpet adjoining the wall to be washed. Use masking tape to secure the drop cloth to the baseboard.

2. Fill the 2-gallon bucket with 1 1/2 gallons of warm water. Add one cup of liquid bleach and 1/8 cup of liquid dish washing detergent. Stir.

3. Wear rubber gloves and immerse the cleaning sponge into the bleach-detergent solution until saturated. Squeeze the liquid from the sponge until it is wet but does not drip liquid when held above the bucket.

4. Using the three-step ladder, begin washing the wall where the right side corner meets the ceiling. Make 4 foot-long passes the width of the sponge, horizontal to the ceiling.
   After making the first washing pass, turn the sponge over to the opposite side and make a second pass, overlapping the previously washed area by 1 inch.

5. Continue washing by rotating the sponge and overlapping the previously washed area by 1 inch until the sponge is no longer wet. Then repeat Steps 3 and 4.

6. Continue washing until the baseboard is reached. At this time reposition the ladder 4 feet to the left of its previous position and continue washing the wall from the ceiling down to the baseboard, being careful to always overlap by 1 inch previously washed areas above and to the side.

7. After the entire wall surface has been washed with the bleach-detergent solution, empty the bucket into a sink. Rinse the bucket, and fill it with warm water.

8. Allow the bleach-detergent wash to work on the wall for 10 to 15 minutes, and then rinse using the sponge and clear water, following the same steps as used in washing. Rinse and re-wet the sponge by immersing it in clear water after every horizontal pass over the wall.

9. Allow the wall to air dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Take care to overlap the previous horizontal and vertical wash and rinse points to avoid leaving streaks on the drywall. To speed wall drying after rinsing, place portable fans to circulate air against the washed wall.

• During both the washing and rinsing cycle, ensure that the sponge is not overly saturated with liquid, as this will make the drywall excessively wet. Because the bleach mixture can produce strong fumes, provide adequate air circulation in room in which washing is being performed.