How to Get Rid of Mold on Drywall

Remove mold from painted drywall to keep it in good condition.

Mold can irritate allergies and can cause some people to feel ill. If you notice mold on your drywall, remove it immediately to protect your health. You can remove mold from drywall as long as the drywall is painted. Unpainted drywall must be replaced because the mold probably rests inside and behind the drywall as well. When removing mold from drywall, protect yourself to avoid exposure to the mold.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic
• Tape
• Towels or dropcloths
• Chlorine bleach
• 1-gallon bucket
• Warm water
• Sponge
• 2 tbsp. liquid dishwashing soap

Instructions

1. Cover carpet, fabric and appliances with plastic and tape it down to secure it in place. You can also cover items with old dropcloths or towels.

2. Pour ½ cup of chlorine bleach in a 1-gallon bucket. Add 1½ cup for heavy mold stains. Add a gallon of warm water to the bucket.

3. Soak a sponge in the diluted bleach. Sponge the solution onto the mold and allow it to sit for 15 minutes.

4. Add 2 tbsp. of liquid dishwashing soap to the bleach solution. Wash the drywall with the solution and rinse the area with clean water, using sponges

Tips & Warnings

• Wear goggles and a respirator to protect yourself from the mold and cleaning solution. If you breathe in the mold spores, they can make you ill. The bleach solution can burn your skin and the fumes can irritate your lungs.

• Never mix ammonia with bleach because it will create a toxic gas.

• Bleach may discolor the drywall. You may need to repaint it later.

References

• InspectAPedia: Mold Investigation and Building Diagnosis FAQs
• North Dakota State University: Remove Mold for a Healthy Home
• Environix: How to Remove Mold from your Home

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish