How to Clean Black Mold Off of Walls

It is probably best to know how to clean black mold off of walls, especially when it usually reappears during humid seasons. Black mold is not only nasty, it is dangerous to your health. When these small microorganisms become airborne, they enter the respiratory system and cause problems such as difficulty in breathing. In order to avoid the possible health hazards that mold causes, here are some steps for cleaning black mold.

Step 1 – Assess

Make sure that the black spots on the wall are, in fact, black mold. In order to determine this, look for dark green circular patterns. These microorganisms have a tendency to replicate in a circular manner especially when they are still wet and slimy. When they dry off, they tend to lose the circular patterns, but will still retain the black color. As much as possible, avoid touching the mold and never allow them to become airborne. One way to do this is to spray them with bleach as soon as possible.

Step 2 – Mix the Chlorine Solution

Chlorine bleach is a strong toxic compound that emits very strong fumes. Therefore, always take caution when mixing the solution. In order to create this, you'll need to mix a cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Make sure to wear rubber gloves during the mixing process to avoid contact with the skin. Add a little detergent to make the solution more effective and mix very well. Place some of it in a plastic spray bottle to apply.

Step 3 – Spray the Black Mold

Use a respirator before spraying the mold as some of the spores may float in the air. A respirator is necessary because a dust mask may not totally filter the dangerous spores.

Start spraying liberal amounts of the solution on the black mold. Replenish the spray bottle and spray once more until all of the circular patterns have been soaked. Allow the solution to sit for about 15 minutes in order for the mold to die completely.

Step 4 – Clean the Walls

When the mold has been eradicated, soak a sponge in soapy water and start rubbing the mess until all the black spots are erased. Dilute chlorine bleach in water and spray the solution on the wall to disinfect the area fully. Leave it on for a few minutes, and wipe the wall with a clean dry cloth, allowing it to dry.

Step 5 – Repaint the Wall

Apply paint afterwards to give the wall a new finish. Choose any color that matches the existing one and make sure it's a water-based paint because oil-based ones may encourage more mold growth.

Step 6 – Dehumidify the Room

Make sure that the molds do not come back by ensuring that your home's moisture is controlled. Install a dehumidifier or ensure that the space is well-ventilated to prevent future growth.