How To Get Rid Of Mildew From Walls

In humid climates or parts of your house, such as your bathroom, you are very likely to get mildew on your walls and ceiling.

Therefore, you will want to get rid of the mildew from your walls and do so effectively so that you can prevent more mildew and mold from appearing on your walls.

Don’t worry; we have been in the same spot and, therefore, done some research to learn how to get rid of mildew from walls. 

Continue reading below to learn how to get rid of mildew from walls.

What You’ll Need

Now That you have everything you need, follow these five steps below to get rid of mildew from your walls successfully.

1. Ventilate The Room

Since mold and mildew are harmful to inhale and you will be working with bleach, properly ventilate the room you are in.

For example, you can open a window, turn on a ceiling fan, or bring in a small standing fan or box fan.

If it’s a small spot on your wall, I recommend the Honeywell HT-900 TurboForce Air Circulator Fan.

It’s an Amazon best-seller and gets excellent reviews.

However, if you have a larger area to ventilate, you will need a larger fan or open windows.

2. Create Your Cleaning Solution 

In a well-ventilated area, mix one part of bleach with three parts of water.

Any household bleach can be used to create this cleaning solution.

However, be careful while you are mixing this, as bleach can be harmful to your skin as well as inhaling. 

3. Scrub The Mildew Problem Area 

Using your brush, scrub the mildew spot on your wall.

If you’re looking for a good and flexible stiff-bristled brush, I recommend Amazer Scrub Brush Comfort Grip & Flexible Stiff Bristles.

The Amazer scrub brush can be used for hard or soft scrubbing jobs and gets wonderful reviews on Amazon.

Be sure to test the brush and mixture in an inconspicuous area not to damage your wall. 

4. Rinse The Area After Scrubbing

Using a damp cloth, rinse the area to remove the mold and mildew that have been dislodged and killed by the bleach-water solution. 

5. Allow The Area To Dry

Allow the area that you scrubbed to dry and see if you need to take additional steps. 

6. Treat With Mildew Specific Cleaning Products

Some mildew spots may need additional specific chemical solutions.

A good one that I recommend is, RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray.

It’s a best-seller on Amazon and gets wonderful reviews.

Video Instructions

Here is a video to help you get rid of mildew from walls.

  • 0:15- Ventilate The Room
  • 0:20- Create Your Cleaning Solution 
  • 0:35- Scrub The Mildew Problem Area
  • 0:46- Rinse The Area After Scrubbing
  • 0:50- Allow The Area To Dry

FAQ

What Should I Do If I Have A Textured Wall?

If you have a textured wall, consider using a clean cloth or sponge and dabbing the moldy area rather than a stiff bristle brush.

The brush may cause some of the texture to break away or not reach crevices in the wall texture.

This will still allow the spot to absorb the solution, which will kill the mildew but should not harm the surface of your wall. 

How Can I Clean Painted Or Wallpapered Walls?

If your walls that have mildew are painted or wallpapered, you will want to avoid bleach to prevent any discoloration on the walls.

Instead, you can use a white vinegar solution to clean the area.

First, create a solution of 1/4 cup of white vinegar and 2 cups of hot water and apply it to the wall using a clean cloth or sponge.

Next, clean it off, then apply again and let it sit for 10 minutes. Then wipe dry with a clean cloth.

How Can I Prevent Mildew?

There are different ways to ensure mildew does not grow in your home.

You can increase ventilation by opening windows and utilizing exhaust fans to remove steam from bathrooms.

You can invest in a dehumidifier to decrease the moisture in the air that will lead to mildew growth. 

Another issue that might be causing mildew growth on your ceilings is leaks or condensation in the pipes running through the ceilings and walls.

This would be causing unseen moisture that is difficult for you to address.

Again, if this is a consistent problem, you may want to address this with a plumber.

If you have a problem with mildew on your ceiling, check out our article that specifically addresses how to clean and remove mildew from your ceiling.

Can I Mix Other Cleaning Solutions To Create A More Powerful Mix?

No, do not mix chemicals, as this could create a toxic and dangerous solution beyond the dangers of inhaling mold and mildew.

You should dilute the bleach with water but not mix the bleach with another cleaning solution as you may not know what type of chemical reaction you will create.

What If The Mildew Is In Other Areas Of My House?

If the mildew has reached other, more porous surfaces in your home, you will want to consider removing those parts of your home.

For example, if mold has reached your carpet, you may want to get the carpet removed and replaced instead of trying to clean it.

It will be challenging to clean the area and kill the mildew fully.

What Causes Mildew On Walls?

Mildew and mold appear in high humidity areas and will have condensation and leaks, such as bathrooms.

Often if you live in an area that has a very humid climate, mildew in your home may be a common, albeit inconvenient, occurrence.

If you do not live in an area with a humid climate and consistently deal with mildew in your home, you will want to investigate if you have any leaks in pipes in your walls, as that will be the likely culprit. 

Can I Paint Over Mildew On My Walls?

Painting over mildew on walls will not solve a mildew issue.

This does not kill the mildew but simply covers it so that you cannot immediately see it.

If mildew is painted over, the mildew will potentially keep growing and spreading, causing a worse issue than before.

If you wish to paint the walls, you will need first to kill the mildew and then begin painting the wall. 

Can I Use Vinegar To Kill Mildew?

Yes, white vinegar can also be used to kill mildew and prevent it from spreading further.

You can spray the white vinegar straight onto the mildewy area to kill the mildew.

In addition, vinegar can also be used on many different types of surfaces.

Remember, do not attempt to mix chemicals; do not mix white vinegar and bleach to create a stronger cleaning solution.