How To Remove Mold From Painted Walls: Tips & Tricks

9 min read

Mold is never a welcome guest in any home, and the situation can be even more frustrating when mold makes its way to the interior walls painted with your favorite color.

Worse, bacterial growth inside your home is more than just an aesthetic problem. If left untreated, its mold spores can reduce indoor air quality and worsen issues like allergies and asthma. Eventually, its uncontrolled growth can damage affected surfaces and materials in your home.

On the bright side, specialized equipment isn’t always necessary, especially when dealing with small amounts of mold. Also, the more swiftly you act, the less bacterial growth you’ll have to deal with, and the more manageable the mold cleanup process will be.

In this extensive guide, we share practical tips and tricks on how to remove mold from painted walls using common household products. These methods are safe, effective, and won’t damage your wall’s color or finish.

Safety Reminders Before Removing Mold

Before anything else, it’s crucial to assess your mold situation. If the contaminated area is larger than 10 square feet, it’s advisable that you consult experts in mold removal in Summit. More widespread infestations can be hazardous to your health, and taking the DIY route may only spread the contamination further.

It may be possible to remove the mold yourself if it is present in small amounts. However, as you do so, here are some safety reminders to follow:

• Put on Protective Clothing: Wear eye protection, a face mask, and gloves to avoid direct contact with mold spores or any potentially harmful cleaning solutions.
• Secure Nearby Furnishings or Items: Cover any nearby furniture or items with plastic sheets or tarps to prevent mold spores or cleaning solutions from contaminating them.
• Don’t Use Different Products at the Same Time: Different cleaning products can produce harmful fumes when combined. Protect yourself and everyone inside your house by sticking to one cleaning method at a time.
• Stop Cleaning if You Feel Ill: If you experience allergic reactions while cleaning, stop immediately, get fresh air, and consult your doctor.

Now that we’ve covered these fundamental safety precautions, let’s delve into the methods for removing mold on wall surfaces.

How To Remove Mold From Painted Walls

Mold can grow on painted interior walls, especially in rooms with plenty of moisture and humidity, like your kitchens and bathrooms. It can also thrive on wall surfaces dampened by roof or plumbing leaks. Removing mold as early as possible helps you not only eliminate the problem but also save your structures from being replaced entirely.

Always Begin With Assessing the Damage

If you notice black or white stains or furry spots on your interior walls, the first step is to determine the extent of the contamination. How far has the mold taken over?

Walls that have already started crumbling or bowing out of their position due to severe infestation will likely need to be replaced. However, those still structurally sound can be easily cleaned with the right cleaning solution and some scrubbing.

Removing Mold Using a Mild Detergent

If your walls are painted with a color, it’s best to use a solution without bleach. Due to its nature, bleach can remove color from your walls and leave an unsightly patch.

Here are the ingredients you may need to remove mold with a mild detergent:

• Mild detergent
• Warm water
• Kitchen scourer
• Bucket

Instructions:

1. Mix warm water with a small amount of mild detergent in a bucket. Make sure the solution is well-dissolved.
2. Dip the scourer into the soapy water mixture and use the sponge side to wipe the contaminated surface.
3. Rinse the area with clean water and a clean sponge or cloth.
4. Pat the wall dry with a paper towel, using a fresh piece for each wipe.
5. Dry the surface as thoroughly as possible to avoid leaving any moisture behind.

Removing Mold Using a DIY Mold Killer

This homemade mold-cleaning solution works well for painted walls or washable wallpaper. To make this, you’ll need the following:

• Two (2) tablespoons of borax
• Two (2) ounces of white vinegar
• 16 ounces of hot water
• Spray bottle
• Soft-bristle brush or sponge

Instructions:

1. Mix the borax, white vinegar, and hot water in a spray bottle. Stir until well combined.
2. Spray the solution on the affected area generously and immediately scrub it afterward with a brush. This breaks down the mold’s surface layer.
3. Reapply the DIY solution and let it sit for 10-15 minutes to allow it to penetrate the remaining mold.
4. Wipe it with a clean, dry cloth afterward. However, don’t rinse; leave it to dry overnight.
5. Inspect it the next day to see if you need to repeat the whole process. If not, wipe it with a fresh, damp cloth and let it air dry.

Removing Mold Using a Vinegar and Water Solution

Vinegar is an excellent home remedy if you’re looking for an effective yet natural solution for eliminating mold in wall materials. It does a good job of killing mold spores and preventing their regrowth without being as harsh as bleach, making it a good choice for painted walls.

Ingredients you’ll need:

• White vinegar
• Water
• Spray bottle

Instructions:

1. Mix white vinegar with water in equal parts, and pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
2. Spray the solution directly onto the mold-infested area on the painted wall.
3. Allow the vinegar solution to sit for a few hours for it to break down and kill the mold.
4. Rinse the treated wall with water and wipe it with a microfiber cloth to dry it thoroughly.

This method works well on both porous and nonporous materials. If the vinegar odor lingers, open windows or use a fan to help aerate the space.

Removing Mold Using Baking Soda

Ingredients you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• Water
• Soft-bristle brush

Instructions:

1. Mix ½ cup of baking soda with a few teaspoons of water to create a thick paste.
2. Apply the baking soda paste directly onto the moldy area and leave it for 10 minutes.
3. Gently scrub the mold-infested area with a soft-bristle brush.
4. Rinse the area with clean water.
5. Pat the wall dry with a clean, dry cloth or towel.

How To Keep Mold From Coming Back After Mold Removal

Knowing how to remove mold from painted walls using these home remedies can help you protect your home from uncontrolled contaminations. However, mold cleanup isn’t the end. Bacterial growth will likely recur if the conditions that promoted it in the first place remain – excessive moisture and humidity.

On that note, here are some effective ways to prevent mold from taking over your interior walls again:

• Fix Leaks and Other Water Problems: Address any leaks or water infiltration issues promptly to eliminate moisture sources that encourage bacterial growth.
• Control Indoor Humidity: Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to keep indoor humidity levels no more than 50%. Doing so helps keep your living spaces less conducive to mold.
• Address Condensation: Properly insulate and ventilate areas prone to condensation, such as bathrooms and kitchens, to help reduce moisture buildup indoors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Mold in Wall Materials and Surfaces

Q: Should You Use Bleach to Remove Mold from Walls?

A: We personally don’t recommend using bleach for mold removal. As it is caustic and irritating, bleach can damage paint and wall materials and irritate the skin and eyes. Used incorrectly, it can also release chlorine gas that can cause respiratory discomfort.

Q: Can You Paint Over Mold on Walls?

A: Painting over bacterial growth may seem like the easy and obvious solution, but it does not solve the problem at all. It will simply conceal the problem. Moreover, mold can continue to grow beneath the paint surface, damage your home’s structural materials, and reduce indoor air quality.

To eliminate long-term mold concerns and gain peace of mind, it’s best to enlist mold removal in Summit. Certified professionals know how to remove ingrained mold, repair affected walls, and return your home to a livable condition.

Q: Will Mold Go Away on Its Own?

A: Mold won’t disappear on its own, even if the surfaces it grows on become dry.

Mold that has dried simply goes dormant, which means it can reactivate once water or moisture is reintroduced. Active removal and preventative measures are needed to keep it from returning.

When Are Professional Mold Remediation Services Necessary?

Mold on walls can be addressed using home remedies, but this won’t always be the case. If you’re dealing with contamination spanning more than 10 square feet, bacterial growth that keeps returning despite your efforts, or severe health issues due to mold exposure, it’s time to consult professional mold remediation services.

With a certified and experienced team, you won’t have to worry about anything else. They typically cover the following when restoring mold-affected properties:

• Assessment of the bacterial growth and mold damage
• Contamination control by closing off the affected area to keep spores from spreading to other parts of the building
• Mold removal using industry-approved cleaning products and specialized equipment
• Moisture monitoring and control to address the underlying issue promoting bacterial growth
• Restoration of damaged materials to get the property back to its pre-loss condition.

Call Restoration 1 of Summit for Comprehensive Mold Inspection and Remediation Services

Removing mold from painted walls can be done safely and effectively with the proper techniques and cleaning solutions. However, remember that more extensive contamination cases are best left to the experts. Besides having the appropriate cleaning agents, tools, and processes, they are better equipped to not only remove mold from your home but also ensure it’s healthy and mold-free again.

Whether you’re dealing with a suspected contamination or a persistent mold concern, Restoration 1 of Summit can help. As your experienced and certified mold removal specialists, we follow proper procedures to control and eliminate mold as close to its source as possible. Most importantly, our entire crew pays attention to all the details to ensure your safety while we work.

The journey toward regaining a mold-free home doesn’t have to be laborious or lengthy. Let us do the legwork for you – call our local Restoration 1 team today for comprehensive mold inspection and remediation solutions. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to get your home back to normal.