Solved! This Is What Mold on the Ceiling Means—and Here’s How to Get Rid of It

Q: As I was getting ready to take a shower, I looked up and noticed black splotches on my bathroom ceiling. What causes mold on bathroom ceiling surfaces, and what can I do to get rid of mold on the ceiling?

A: Mold can grow on a ceiling for a number of reasons, including excess humidity and liquid moisture. It’s common to find mold on the ceiling in a bathroom when the warm, moist air of the shower or bathtub comes into contact with the cooler ceiling material. This causes condensation and can lead to mold and mildew growth.

What does mold look like on ceiling surfaces? Mold commonly appears as small circles and circular patches, but it can grow in irregularly shaped patches as well. Before tackling mold removal, it’s important to know what type of mold is growing and how to remove it properly. Cleaning mold from bathroom ceilings should be done as quickly as possible to prevent it from growing and spreading. Once the bathroom ceiling mildew is removed, it’s important for residents to take steps to reduce the amount of humidity and increase the ventilation of the room to avoid recurring mold on the bathroom ceiling.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if the moldy area is less than 10 square feet, the resident can usually handle the issue using DIY methods. However, for larger areas of mold, it’s recommended to hire a professional mold remediation company.

Excess moisture causes mold to form on surfaces, including ceilings.

Since bathrooms are humid and typically have poor ventilation, they are perfect breeding grounds for black mold on the ceiling. Mold loves moisture, and depending on the type of mold spores that grow, mold can appear as black, brown, gray, white, orange, pink, green, or yellow mold on the ceiling.

Wondering how to identify black mold? Black mold looks like a black stain that is covering a high-moisture area. Mold on the ceiling of a bathroom is usually caused by excess humidity and condensation, but it can also be caused by plumbing failures or roof leaks. Identifying the source of the moisture is the first step to prevent future mold growth in the same areas.

Various household substances, including vinegar and baking soda, can kill mold. 

Wondering how to get rid of mold on a ceiling? While it may be tempting to paint over mold, it’s just covering up the problem instead of treating it. Luckily, there are several products commonly found in the home that can aid with mold removal on a ceiling, such as vinegar, baking soda, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils. Some of the equipment and tools that are needed to clean mold include a spray bottle, scrub brush or deck brush, step ladder, microfiber cloths, bucket, sponge, and personal protective equipment, such as a respirator, mask, eye protection, and gloves. Not wearing protective equipment and exposing yourself to mold spores can cause serious respiratory issues, skin rashes, coughing, wheezing, burning eyes, stuffy nose, and a sore throat. Below are the common household products that can kill and remove mold on bathroom walls and ceilings.

• Vinegar: Vinegar is a common household product that can kill the beginning of mold on ceiling drywall. Since vinegar is very acidic, it can penetrate porous materials to get to the root of the mold growth beneath the surface. Distilled white vinegar is the most effective type of vinegar to kill mold since it’s the most acidic. To get rid of bathroom ceiling mold, it’s recommended to fill a spray bottle with undiluted distilled white vinegar, spray the affected area, and let it sit for an hour. This will allow the vinegar to penetrate through the surface and soak into the root of the mold. After letting the vinegar sit, it’s time to scrub the area with a scrub brush, then rinse with clean warm water. The vinegar smell will go away once the surface is dry. Residents can repeat the process until the stained areas are gone, then spray with vinegar and let it air dry. Some people prefer to add a drop or two of dishwashing liquid to the vinegar to encourage the solution to cling to the ceiling surface.
• Baking soda: A solution of 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle can be used to kill mold. Residents will want to spray the area, scrub with a sponge or a brush, rinse with fresh water, and spray more baking soda solution before allowing it to air dry. Since baking soda can also be used as a deodorizer, it will remove the moldy smell from the surface.
• Bleach: Bleach can kill and remove surface mold but it cannot penetrate through porous surfaces to get to the root. To remove surface mold and stains, mix 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and apply to the mold with a spray bottle or sponge. It’s important to remember to never mix bleach with other household cleaners or vinegar since it creates a lethal chlorine gas. It’s also wise to have a well-ventilated area when working with bleach since the fumes can irritate the respiratory tract.
• Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide can be used on both porous and nonporous surfaces to remove mold. Solutions that have more than 3 percent hydrogen peroxide concentration are powerful mold killers. Residents can spray or sponge on undiluted 3 percent hydrogen peroxide to saturate the mold, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub the area with a scrub brush or abrasive sponge. This will kill the mold, and since hydrogen peroxide has bleaching capabilities, it will also remove the mold stains. A clean cloth can be used to dry the area.
• Essential oils: If you notice an early sign of toxic black mold on a ceiling, essential oils can help get rid of it. Tea tree oil is especially effective at removing mold when 1 tablespoon of the oil is mixed with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake the mixture well before spraying it on the mold, then allow it to sit for an hour. A cloth or a scrub brush can help remove the mold and clean the area. Residents will want to keep in mind that essential oils can be harmful to pets if inhaled or ingested.
• Lemon juice: Lemons are another natural ingredient that can remove mold. Spray undiluted fresh lemon juice over the mold and let it sit for 5 minutes; the mold can then be scrubbed away with an abrasive sponge or scrub brush.

Larger mold infestations should be handled by a professional. 

Sizable areas of mold can cause damage to the home and increase the risk of serious health issues. Many homeowners choose to hire one of the best mold removal companies to take care of a mold problem that has spread over large areas. If a mold infestation cannot be removed with household solutions, the ceiling may need professional attention. For visible mold growth, testing isn’t needed, but if a homeowner suspects the mold has spread from the ceiling to other areas that aren’t visible, sampling for mold should be done by professionals. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold testing or sampling can also determine if the area has been appropriately remediated or cleaned. Mold inspection costs average around $648. For textured ceilings, it is also recommended to leave mold removal to the pros.

Mold on ceiling health risks include asthma attacks, allergic reactions, and severe ongoing respiratory irritation. Professional mold remediation companies know how to protect themselves against mold and take the proper steps to remove mold from a home. Professional mold remediation costs range from $1,125 to $3,439, with the national average at $2,254.

Improving airflow and minimizing excess moisture can keep mold from returning. 

Many question how to prevent mold on a bathroom ceiling. Knowing the cause of the mold growth can keep it from returning. Limiting the amount of moisture in the air by running the bathroom vent fan, opening a window, or keeping the door cracked open while showering can reduce the amount of moisture in the room. Wiping down shower walls or using a squeegee to remove excess water will also eliminate excessive moisture in the bathroom. Improving airflow; washing or replacing shower curtains, bath rugs, and towels regularly; and frequently cleaning the shower or bathtub can also help prevent mold from returning. Some people like to spray the walls and ceiling of the bathroom with vinegar as part of their regular cleaning schedule to thwart future mold growth.

FAQs

When dealing with mold on ceiling surfaces, many people want to have as much information as possible to help with removal and prevention. Below are some frequently asked questions about mold on ceilings.

Q. Is mold on the ceiling harmful?

Yes, mold on the ceiling can be harmful. Mold spores can be toxic to humans and pets. If someone in the house has asthma, allergies, or a compromised immune system, the health issues from being exposed to mold can be much worse than for a healthy person.

Q. Will opening windows reduce mold?

Opening windows will not reduce mold, but after it is safely removed, increasing airflow can help prevent mold from regrowing.

Q. What are signs of mold poisoning?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to mold growth can cause wheezing, itchy or red eyes, skin rash, or a stuffy nose. More severe reactions can be experienced by people who have been exposed to large amounts of mold or those who have asthma or other respiratory illnesses.

Q. How fast does ceiling mold spread?

Under the right conditions, ceiling mold can grow and spread in just 24 to 48 hours.

Q. Do air purifiers help with mold?

While air purifiers can help capture mold spores and prevent them from spreading, they do not prevent active mold growth in the home.

Q. What are the first signs of mold on the ceiling?

Mold can appear as small dots that can be black, gray, or brown. A damp area that becomes discolored can also be an early sign of mold on the ceiling. Mold can also have a musty, earthy, or damp smell that sometimes precedes the visual signs of mold growth.