How to Clean Up Mold on Drywall

Mold can appear on your drywall from a variety of sources. Floods, poorly ventilated bathrooms and very humid weather can all contribute to the problem. If your drywall has been previously painted, there's a good chance that you can successfully clean the mold from your drywall and prevent future mold. Because you'll be using bleach for this project, make sure you take the proper safety precautions.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• N-95 face mask (for bleach fumes)
• Goggles
• Measuring cup
• 2 buckets
• 2 sponges or cotton rags
• Household bleach
• Clean water
• Kilz primer
• Semigloss paint
• Paint brush
• Drop cloth

Instructions

1. Open any windows in the room where you'll be cleaning mold on the wall to avoid inhaling bleach fumes.

2. Combine 1 gallon of clean water with 1 cup of bleach in one of the buckets. Mix the bleach solution with your gloved hand or with a spoon or paddle.

3. Fill the second bucket with clean water for rinsing.

4. Use a sponge or cotton rag to apply the bleach solution to the moldy wall. Be generous in your application of the bleach solution but don't allow the bleach to drip on anything that is not colorfast like carpets, rugs or towels.

5. Allow the bleach solution to stay on the wall for 10 to 15 minutes.

6. Rinse the wall with clean, clear water. Allow the wall to dry completely. Use a fan to blow on the wall if the room is not well-ventilated. If any mold remains on the wall, repeat Steps 4 through 6.

7. When the mold appears to be gone and the wall is completely dry, prepare the area for painting by placing a drop cloth on the floor and filling any holes with spackle.

8. Paint the wall with Kilz primer or any other stain-blocking primer. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly. Most primers are dry in three to four hours, depending on the humidity in your area.

9. Paint the wall with semigloss paint. Semigloss paint provides a heavy-duty barrier against moisture and will help to prevent future mold.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for primer and paint that are labeled "mold resistant" to prevent future mold.

• Use fans in rooms that are prone to mold buildup.

• If mold returns in the same area or if the mold has penetrated the drywall, it will be necessary to remove the drywall and replace it.

References

• Ask the Builder: Stop the Spread of Mold
• Michigan Dept. of Community Health: Steps for Cleaning Mold