How to Clean Mildew off Bricks

With a little planning, you can easily clean mildew off of your brick siding

Mildew can grow on both exterior and interior bricks. Monitor and control the humidity level inside to protect brick walls from excessive moisture, which begs mildew to grow on it. Rainwater and wind can bring dirt onto a brick exterior surface and lead to mildew growth. Mold and mildew growth is unsightly and it also causes adverse health reactions in people with allergies. Get rid of the mildew when you spot it on bricks.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Eye protection
• Sponge/water hose
• Bucket
• Bleach
• Water
• Stiff brush

Instructions

1. Put on rubber gloves and eye protection, such as goggles, to keep your skin and eyes safe while working.

2. Wet a sponge with water and wipe the brick surface down with the sponge. Spray the brick down with a garden hose and disregard the sponge, if you want.

3. Put 1 gallon of clean water into a bucket. Mix in 1 cup of bleach.

4. Dip a stiff brush into the bleach solution and scrub the bricks with the brush. Allow this mixture to sit on the bricks for about five minutes.

5. Rinse the bricks off with clean water only. Allow the bricks to dry completely.

Tips & Warnings

• If the stain is not fading, try adding more bleach to the water.

• Be careful not to let the bleach drop into your eyes! Wear a hat with a brim and eye protection.

References

• Design Tech Homes: Cleaning and Removing Mildew From Exterior Walls and Siding