How to clean a mouldy ceiling as mop hack can 'prevent further contamination'

The long-handled cleaning tool can banish spores from hard to reach places.

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It can be frustrating to spot mould growing in your home, but it is even more annoying when you discover it on hard to reach surfaces. One room the spores tend to develop in is the bathroom, as condensation from baths and showers rises to hit the rooftop.

These higher areas are risky to clean and some feel they're impossible areas to eliminate stains. Luckily, the Express reports that there are a few tips that can help you to tackle the high up damp easily and they involve using one unexpected cleaning tool.

Mould growth can spread quickly if left untreated and while it is relatively harmless, it can spur allergic reactions in those with breathing problems. While a mop is typically used for cleaning floors, the long-handled device can also be used to reach high ceilings and walls.

Read below to learn how you can banish mould from these areas.

According to the team at The Oil of Cloves Company, "very mouldy surfaces" can be cleaned with a combination of white vinegar and baking soda. A clean sponge mop and a stiff broom covered with a stocking should allow for maximum reach with no ladder required. Before you start cleaning the area, be sure to wear a protective mask and gloves so that you don’t touch or inhale the mould spores.

The cleaning experts said: "Wet the broom head with white vinegar and lightly sprinkle with baking soda. Scrub gently over the ceiling with the covered broom head. Go back over the ceiling with a clean, damp sponge mop to remove mould and residue in preparation for the mould treatment."

This works especially well for mould patches gathered directly above a shower or bath that are otherwise unreachable. Severe cases of mould may need reinforcements like bleach to fully remove the spores from the ceiling.

Start by filling a bucket with warm water and dish soap, stirring until combined. Dip a clean, flat mop into the liquid and swipe over the affected part of the ceiling. Leave to dry while mixing water and bleach into a new bucket ready for the second stage of cleaning.

Wearing a mask, gloves, glasses and protective clothing, dip the mop in the bleach solution and wipe the ceiling once more. If you have to stand in a bath or shower to reach the ceiling, avoid standing directly below the mould and instead use the full length of the mop to work the bleach away from you.

Go in with a clean mop or rinse it well before washing the surface with fresh water to remove the bleach residue. Wait for the area to dry naturally before checking whether you need to repeat the cleaning process to remove any lingering spores.

While it is beneficial to ventilate mould-prone rooms anyway, you should take extra care to keep windows open when cleaning with bleach.

An expert at Fantastic Cleaners said: "Your efforts to eliminate the ceiling mould will be pointless unless you take care of the source first. Mould doesn’t appear without reason, so you need to inspect the roof for any holes and possible damages.

"If the mould is affecting the wall too, that could be a result of a pipe leak. Sometimes mould could remain hidden within the walls of your home and grow there unnoticed. If you are suspecting that’s the cause for the dark stains, call a specialist right away."

To keep ceilings mould-free you may have to repeat the whole cleaning procedure several times. Unless the reason that’s causing the problem is eradicated, the mould will continue to come back after months, sometimes even days.

The cleaning experts added: "There is also the option of scraping the old paint off and repainting. This time look for anti-mould or mould-resistant paint, which will help you keep the ceiling dry and clean."

Other ways to minimise the risk of recurring mould include avoiding drying laundry indoors, regularly inspecting gutters and plumbing, insulating external walls and improving ventilation.

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