Mold on the ceiling of the house is unsightly, unhealthy, and a little difficult to clean. This fungus can also cause permanent damage to the home and must be treated immediately. Following these few easy steps can help you keep your ceiling clean and healthy.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Eliminating the Mushroom Source
Step 1. Check for leaks on the roof of the house
Most house ceiling fungus comes from water dripping through a leaking roof. If the water is coming from the roof, then you need to fix it before cleaning the mold. If you don't fix the roof, the mold will return.
Step 2. Ensure proper ventilation and air circulation
Often there is mold on the ceiling of the bathroom and kitchen because there is not enough ventilation. You can add a fan or extractor fan to the room to let the damp air out.
Some extractor fans can be installed yourself and some need to be installed by a professional. Consult the staff at your local home supply store to find out which extractor fan is right for your space
Step 3. Try to let natural light into the house
Mold prefers to grow in dark conditions, so leaving windows open to allow sunlight helps prevent mold colonies from growing on your ceiling. If you can't get natural light, try adding additional lights that can also add heat and reduce mold growth.
Step 4. Improve the insulation of the house
If your home has poor insulation, then this can trigger mold growth, including on the ceiling. The effect of cold air outside the walls and warm air inside the walls can cause condensation. When it's warmer, more moist air stays on the cold walls, and condensation builds up, leading to mold problems.
- The insulation provides a barrier between the cold air outside and the warm air inside, thereby reducing the conditions that cause mold growth.
- Insulation should be fixed on walls and around heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Step 5. Check for large mold colonies on one side of the ceiling and remove if any
Small areas that have mold growth on the undersurface of the ceiling may indicate large colonies on the other side of the ceiling. If you remove a small area of mold on the surface of the ceiling but there are still large colonies of mold on the other side, the fungus will grow back.
Step 6. Use a dehumidifier
Mushrooms like moist and warm conditions. The dehumidifier removes moisture from the air, reducing the ability of mold to grow and thrive.
Step 7. Leave the bathroom door open and turn on the fan for 15 minutes after showering
After showering, leave the bathroom door open and run the fan for at least 15 minutes to let the steam out. This can remove the moisture that the fungus likes to grow.
Step 8. Hang the towels in another room
Wet towels can add humidity in the room. Make sure you hang the towel to dry completely, preferably in another room. Do this to minimize moisture, thereby reducing mold growth conditions.
Avoid drying clothes on racks or chairs indoors if you have a mold problem. Excessive moisture from dry clothes can encourage mold growth
Part 2 of 2: Getting Rid of Fungus
Step 1. Recognize the signs of a mold problem
Usually, you can see mold on the ceiling of the house. These mushrooms can be black, green, brown, or orange. Other indicators of a mildew problem are cracked or peeling paint, faded colors, the appearance of black streaks, a strong and/or musty and damp odor.
Step 2. Remove mushrooms as soon as they are found
Removing mold immediately and addressing the cause of mold will prevent ill health effects or permanent damage from occurring in the home. This will also make removing the mold easier and preventing the fungus from growing back.
Step 3. Find a safe way to reach the mushroom site
Use a ladder, stool, or other sturdy object to stand up. It's even better if the object has rubber or non-slip feet to prevent it from slipping. If you don't have an object with non-slip feet, buy a non-slip mat to place under it, especially if the floor is slippery (such as tile).
Step 4. Check the materials used to make the ceiling
If all porous ceiling materials (popcorn / textured ceilings, wood, gypsum ceilings, etc.) have been used on the ceiling of the house then you will not be able to clean properly. Mushrooms will return quickly later. You must remove the part of the ceiling that is affected by the fungus and replace it.
Porous ceilings, including popcorn ceilings, must be removed and replaced to combat mold growth
Step 5. Install the ladder in the correct position
Place a bench or ladder under the moldy part of the ceiling. Stand there and reach for the ceiling. Check to see if you can reach the moldy ceiling and are in a safe location.
- Cleaning mushrooms with the arms raised requires good physical strength and flexibility.
- If you have problems with your arms, neck, or wrists, cleaning something in an upward motion for extended periods of time can be painful. If this is the case, you can clean it intermittently with breaks, or find someone stronger to do the cleaning process.
Step 6. Remove the paint using the paint peeler tool
If the ceiling is painted and the paint is peeling off, you'll need to use a paint stripper to remove any flaking paint that's still there. This will help remove the mold by making sure that there is no other fungus under the peeling paint.
Step 7. Wear gloves to protect your hands and wear old clothes
Wear gloves to protect your hands from cleaning agents and mildew. Wear old clothes that are easy to clean in very hot water to remove any spores that fall on you or spread in the air.
Step 8. Make a mushroom cleaning solution
There are several options for making a mildew cleaning solution. The most common solution is a mixture of 2 tablespoons of borax, 62.5 ml of vinegar and 500 ml of hot water which will kill mold, freshen the air, and reduce the chance of mold growing back.
- Borax, which is a natural cleaner and doesn't emit harmful fumes, is a natural air freshener and mildew deterrent. Borax is also a mineral product with low toxicity and is usually cheap.
- Vinegar is a mild acid that kills 82 percent of fungal species which is natural and safe. Vinegar is non-toxic, does not emit harmful fumes, and is an air freshener, and can be found cheaply in supermarkets. Vinegar can be sprayed directly on the ceiling surface and allowed to stand.
- Bleach is an effective mildew repellent and will remove stains caused by mold, but it produces a strong vapor, can damage the material used for the ceiling, and cannot penetrate porous ceiling materials. The chlorine in bleach adheres to the surface of the porous ceiling material while water is absorbed into the interior, creating more humid conditions for mold to grow. Use bleach in a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a good alternative to bleach because it is safe to use and does not harm the environment. This substance is antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, and can remove stains caused by fungi. Spray 3 percent hydrogen peroxide directly on the mushrooms.
- Ammonia can be used on hard surfaces but cannot be used on porous surfaces. In addition, ammonia is a harsh and toxic substance that should never be mixed with bleach; This mixture can produce toxic gases. You can mix ammonia and water in a one-to-one ratio to use as a cleaner.
- Baking soda can kill mold, is safe, and freshens the air. Baking soda can absorb moisture to treat mold. Because baking soda kills different species of mold than vinegar does. So these two ingredients are often used together as a solution to kill mold. Use 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 250 ml of water.
- Tea tree oil is a natural and effective fungus cleanser. They are expensive but harmless to humans and pets, are antifungal and antibacterial. Make sure the tea tree oil comes from the Melaleuca alternifolia plant and mix 1 teaspoon of this oil with 250 ml of water to make a mildew cleaning solution.
Step 9. Wear safety glasses and a mask or respirator
These items will protect your eyes if drops of cleaning agent fall from the ceiling when you clean them. Since some mildew cleaners are a bit harsh, protecting your eyes is important. In addition, dead mold spores are easily spread in the air so it is important to wear a mask or respirator during the cleaning process to prevent inhalation of these unhealthy spores.
- Make sure there is adequate ventilation when cleaning the ceiling of the house to prevent inhalation of airborne spores.
- You can cover the rest of the house with plastic sheets to prevent the spread of spores. Cover the entrance door with a plastic sheet and point the fan at an open window to allow spores to be carried outside.
Step 10. Spray the cleaning solution on visible mold on the ceiling
Put the cleaning solution in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the ceiling fungus. Be careful not to spray too much so it doesn't hit you.
Step 11. Scrub the mushrooms using the rough side of the cleaning sponge
Rub back and forth to remove mildew. Take a short break if necessary, especially if the area is moldy. You may also need to get down and move the stool to reach all parts of the mold growth.
Step 12. Clean the sponge frequently to prevent the spread of mold
When you use a cleaning cloth, replace it with a new one, or clean it when you use it. If you don't clean it, then there is a risk of mold moving around the ceiling and not cleaning it.
Step 13. Spray the solution again
After removing any visible mold, spray the ceiling again to coat it with the mildew solution. This will reduce the chance of the fungus reappearing after a few days.
Step 14. Allow the ceiling to dry
If there is a fan, turn it on. Also, if the weather is hot, open the windows and let the breeze in. This will help dry the ceiling and remove spores.
Step 15. Sand the ceiling
If the ceiling has faded or you are planning to repaint the ceiling, then you will need to sand it. Sand the moldy areas to remove any traces and provide a good base for the new paint.
If you need to repaint the entire ceiling, for example because the paint color doesn't match or shows areas that have been re-sanded, then you'll need to sand the entire ceiling
Step 16. Repaint the ceiling using a specially formulated paint
Paint the ceiling with waterproof paint. Water-resistant paint will prevent mold from growing back, especially if condensation is the cause of the fungus. Ask the paint brand that's right for your needs when you're at the home improvement store and follow the instructions for use.
Tips
- Clean mushrooms as soon as they are found. This prevents the situation from being dangerous and/or causing permanent damage to the home.
- Try the cleaning solution on a small area of the ceiling first to make sure it doesn't damage the ceiling.
- Make sure you find the source of the fungus and fix the problem before you start cleaning it, or it will grow back.
