How to Remove Black Mildew on a Ceiling

Mildew often grows in bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Mildew is a type of fungus that decays organic matter in nature. Its color varies from white to yellow to green or black. It grows in areas with excess moisture and items with organic matter, such as carpeting, wallpaper, fabric and wood walls, floors and ceilings. Cleaning mildew requires several precautions as it can be damaging to the respiratory system for susceptible individuals such as the elderly, young or pregnant. Purchase trisodium phosphate at a home improvement or hardware store to take care of your black mildew problem.

Things You'll Need

• Goggles
• Gloves
• High-efficiency dust mask
• Trisodium phosphate
• Water
• Scrubbing brush
• Spray bottle
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Put on goggles, rubber gloves and a high efficiency dust mask to protect yourself from touching or inhaling mildew spores. Close the infected room's door to prevent the mildew from spreading to other areas of the home, but open a window or door to the outside to ventilate the room.

2. Mix 10 tbsp. of trisodium phosphate 1 one gallon of water until the trisodium phosphate has completely dissolved.

3. Dip a scrubbing brush into the solution and scrub the ceiling with it. You may need to use a ladder or a long handled scrubbing brush to reach the ceiling. Do not scrub too vigorously if your ceiling is painted or if it can scratch easily.

4. If the mildew will not come off, let it sit for several minutes to give the solution time to loosen the mildew's hold on the ceiling.

5. Scrub the ceiling until all of the mildew has been removed.

6. Mist the ceiling with clear water in a spray bottle.

7. Completely dry the ceiling with paper towels and properly ventilate the room until it is completely dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Prevent mildew from regrowing by ensuring proper ventilation in the trouble area.

References

• Environmental Protection Agency: Mold Resources
• University of Missouri: How to Prevent and Remove Mildew