How to Clean Mold off Basement Concrete Walls

Mold is a common problem in damp areas, such as basements; the mold spores thrive on the moisture found there. If you've found mold on your concrete walls, you want to remove it as soon as possible, as both live and dead mold spores can affect your family's health. Cleaning the mold off of your walls will take only an afternoon, but you have to maintain constant vigilance if you want to keep the mold from coming back.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Soap
• Bucket
• Stiff-bristled scrub brush
• Bleach
• Fan

Instructions

1. Mix 2 tbsp. of dish soap into 1 gallon of warm water in the bucket.

2. Wet the entire moldy area to reduce the amount of mold spores you'll release when cleaning.

3. Use the stiff-bristled scrub brush to clean off the mold. Dip the brush into the soapy water as needed.

4. Empty the bucket.

5. Mix a solution of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water in your bucket. Spread this liberally over the moldy area. Allow to sit for 15 minutes.

6. Rinse the bleach solution off with clean, warm water.

7. Point a fan at the moldy area to dry it.

Tips & Warnings

• Protect yourself with a safety mask. As you clean the area, you'll disrupt the mold spores. If you breathe these in, you could become sick.

• Keeping a dehumidifier in your basement can help reduce the moisture levels, decreasing the chance that you'll have a mold problem again.

References

• Virginia Department of Health: Mold
• North Dakota State University: Remove Mold for a Healthy Home