Mold is a stealthy toxin that finds its way into our homes, growing quickly in the shadows before it soon takes over. According to Ruby Home, around 47% of households have signs of mold. Unfortunately, excess amounts of mold can cause health problems when not treated right away.
If you’ve started noticing black spots around your house, you might be searching for “how to clean mold off walls.” There are certain steps you need to take to not only remove the mold from your walls but to also prevent mold regrowth. You also want to ensure you remove mold safely to protect your health and that of those around you.
This article will go over our top tips for mold removal and wall cleaning techniques. We’ll discuss some of our favorite products you can use that safely remove mold while keeping you healthy.
Understanding Mold and Its Consequences
Despite its taboo nature, mold is a natural partof the environment around us. Mold is found in most places where oxygen and moisture are present. Mold belongs to the Fungi kingdom and lives in many moist places, including:
- Decaying or dead matter
- Plants
- Soil
Mold is an important part of nature since it breaks down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves. However, mold on the inside of your home should be avoided.
There are several types of mold and they need moisture to grow. Indoor mold growth typically occurs when excessive moisture accumulates indoors. Some of the items that mold can grow on include:
- Paper
- Wood
- Foods
- Insulation
- Carpet
Health Risks to Mold Exposure
Mold can be harmful to those who have mold allergies. Many types of mold produce spores, which enter the air.
Mold can produce microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). These items can create a musty or moldy smell. People with mold allergies can get symptoms from the mVOCs or spores.
Some of the negative health effects you can experience from mold include:
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Skin rashes
- Red eyes
- Dizziness
- Asthma attacks
- Headaches
Mold spores will also begin to digest anything they land on indoors to grow and survive. This can cause permanent damage to your home, costing you money in addition to health concerns.
How to Clean Mold Off Walls
If your home has the right conditions for mold to grow, it can quickly spread to your ceilings and walls. You can temporarily clean mold from your walls, so long as you’re wearing the right protective gear. This includes:
- Long rubber gloves
- Goggles
- Mask
You’ll want to keep the doors to the room where you’re cleaning closed so the mold spores don’t escape into other areas of your home. However, have the windows open so the spores have somewhere to escape to.
The type of tactics you employ when learning how to clean mold off walls depends on the type of wall you’re dealing with. For example, you’ll use different techniques to remove mold from concrete walls than you would with painted walls.
Removing Mold From Concrete Walls
Concrete is porous in nature and mold can easily penetrate deeper into it, making it more difficult to get rid of completely. Concrete walls sometimes need more aggressive cleaning than other walls to remove the mold and prevent it from regrowing.
Once you’ve gathered the above safety supplies, you’ll need to get to work wetting the wall with the concrete cleaning solution. We recommend letting the solution penetrate the concrete pores for a few minutes. This makes the mold easier to remove as it loosens.
Use one of the following products to scrub the moldy area:
- Scrubbing pad
- Stiff-bristled brush
Work in small sections to vigorously remove the mold from the walls. Apply firm pressure throughout the cleaning process.
Rinse the wall with clean water once you’ve thoroughly scrubbed it. Repeat the above process until all the mold has been removed.
Drying the surface once it’s been cleaned is an important part of the process. Use dehumidifiers or fans to make the process go faster and to stop moisture from accumulating.
The final step is applying a mold inhibitor. A mold sealer or inhibitor that’s designed for concrete surfaces can prevent mold growth in the future.
Removing Mold From Painted Walls
What’s convenient about mold growth on painted walls is that it typically grows on its surface. That makes it easier to remove than mold that grows on porous materials.
Keep in mind that mold can sometimes lurk on a wall’s interior. Make sure you adequately check the moist areas to ensure there is no mold growth on the inside of your walls.
Some of the steps for removing mold from painted walls are similar to concrete walls. You’ll want to ventilate the room you’re working in and gather all the necessary safety supplies. The steps you’ll want to follow when removing mold include:
- Dip your sponge or scrub brush into the mold removal solution
- Apply it to the affected areas
- Use firm but gentle pressure to scrub off the mold
- Use a damp, clean cloth to remove excess mold and cleaning solution
You’ll also want to use humidifiers or fans to dry the area.
Tips for Preventing Mold Growth in Your Home
Thorough removal and prevention are important to remove mold from your home’s walls. The main way to prevent mold regrowth is to identify the source of the mold. Some tips for avoiding mold in your home include:
- Ensuring proper ventilation in moisture-prone areas
- Regularly inspecting and maintaining your home’s plumbing
- Promptly repairing any water leaks
Ensure Your Home Is Mold Free With Elite Mold Services
Learning how to clean mold off walls is a straightforward process. However, it can be overwhelming cleaning mold off your walls while also ensuring mold isn’t growing anywhere else. That’s why it’s important to partner with an experienced company to reduce your mold home risks.
Elite Mold Services has been proud to serve customers in Orlando and the greater Florida area since 2006. We offer a wide range of services, including mold inspections, mold testing, indoor air quality testing, and more. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and learn more about the mold removal products we use.