How to Get Rid of Ceiling Stains From a Leak in a Motorhome

Motorhomes allow for people to see the world without paying for a hotel.

A leak in a motor home can turn your once pristine ceiling into an unsightly eyesore. Water stains from the leak will leave brown or yellow discolorations on the ceiling, and normal cleaning does nothing to remove the stains. Once you have fixed the leak in the motor home, tackle the stained ceiling using a common laundry booster that will help brighten the ceiling and remove the water stains.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic tarp or drop cloth
• 1 cup oxygen bleach
• Stepladder
• Sponge
• Cloth

Instructions

1. Move smaller objects from the area and place them in a safe location. Cover large objects you cannot move with a plastic tarp or drop cloth.

2. Mix 1 cup of oxygen bleach with 1 gallon of cold water. Place a stepladder near the area of the ceiling affected by the stain.

3. Submerge a sponge in the bleach mixture. Hold the saturated sponge over the bucket and squeeze to remove the excess mixture.

4. Step on the stepladder carefully and gently scrub the ceiling in a circular motion until the water stain is no longer visible.

5. Wait 15 minutes before wiping the bleach mixture off the ceiling with a clean cloth dampened in cool water. Let the ceiling dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Test the mixture on an inconspicuous area of the ceiling tiles and wait 24 hours. If damage or discoloration occurs, discontinue use.

• If the stain remains, consider painting the ceiling.

References

• Mrs. Clean: How To Clean Ceiling Tiles
• Realty: Nicotine Stains; Keith Martin
• University of Tennessee Knoxville Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange; Household Cleaning - Walls, Ceilings and Woodwork; February 2004
• My Great Home: Covering Up Ceiling Stains