How to Remove Mold on Your Bathroom Ceiling

You’ll need some common household items, protective gear, and a lot of elbow grease to get rid of mold on your bathroom ceiling.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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Depending on the type of mold you have on your bathroom ceiling, you may be able to remove it yourself using some common household materials. Toxic mold infestations will require professional help to eradicate. 
Bathrooms are the perfect environment for mold to grow and spread—they’re humid, usually have poor air circulation, and have plenty of bacteria for mold to feed on.
Though it can seem like a big issue to deal with, if you gather the right tools, prep accordingly, and act quickly, you can kill mold on your bathroom ceiling in an afternoon.
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Identifying the type of mold on your bathroom ceiling

First, you need to know what kind of mold you’re dealing with. Molds are divided into three groups:
  • Allergenic molds: you can usually deal with them yourself
  • Pathogenic molds: you can remove them yourself, but large colonies might require professional removal
  • Toxic molds: this mold is very harmful and should only be handled by a professional. Black mold may be Stachybotrys chartarum, a toxic species
Each type of mold can look very different. Try taking a picture of your ceiling and comparing it to images on your web browser to get a solid idea of which mold type has colonized your bathroom.

Tools to kill mold on your bathroom ceiling

For a seamless mold removal process, you need the following tools and materials:
  • Protective gloves, face mask, and eyewear
  • Chlorine bleach
  • Dishwashing liquid
  • Soft-bristled brush
  • Sponge
  • Spray bottle
  • Microfiber cloth
  • Bucket
  • Measuring cups/spoons
  • Step-stool/ladder
You should have most of these items around the house, and anything missing can be found at your local hardware store.
MORE: Does renters insurance cover mold?

How to remove mold from drywall 

If you have a drywall ceiling in your bathroom, you can perform the following steps to remove mold:
  • Put on your protective gear and mix a cleaning solution using this ratio: one part dishwashing liquid, ten parts bleach, and twenty parts water.
  • Wipe or spray the cleaning solution onto the mold using the sponge. The area should be fully wet, but not soaking, so you don’t damage your ceiling.
  • Check for any remaining mold and repeat the process as necessary.

How to remove mold from tile

Mold can be especially annoying to eradicate when it sneaks in between ceiling tiles. Follow these steps to remove mold in a tiled bathroom:
  • Put on your protective gear and mix the cleaning solution listed above.
  • Saturate the moldy areas along the grout lines and let the mixture sit for around 15 minutes.
  • Scrub away the mold using the soft-bristled brush. Do this until no stains remain.
  • Rinse and dry the tiled area with a soft cloth. 

Tips for preventing mold growth

Here are some general tips to help prevent mold from growing on your bathroom ceiling:
  • If you have one, use a bathroom fan when showering to reduce humidity levels
  • Open windows to improve circulation
  • Dry your shower stall with a towel/squeegee after each use
  • Regularly clean your shower and tub
  • Regularly wash shower curtains, towels, bath rugs, etc.

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FAQs

Try to get rid of mold as soon as possible after noticing it. It won’t go away on its own and continue to reproduce, potentially forming a huge colony that’s harder to eradicate later.
The average cost to have a professional mold removal ranges between $10 and $25 per square foot, but this is subject to change based on your location and the severity of the infestation.
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