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Discovering mould on your ceiling can be an unsettling experience, and none more so than in your bedroom – the room that should be the most comforting and calming in your home.
Besides being unsightly, mould can also pose health risks and indicate underlying moisture issues in your home.
However, with the right approach, you can effectively remove and prevent mould growth on your ceiling. And couple this with the right design, you’ll have your perfect bedroom in no time.
Let’s take a look.
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Quick Links
- What causes mould on bedroom ceilings?
- How to get rid of bedroom ceiling mould (step by step)
- How to prevent future ceiling mould growth
- Closing remarks
- Frequently asked questions
What Causes Mould on Bedroom Ceilings?
Bedroom ceiling mould growth, and in fact any ceiling mould growth in your home, is going to be caused by one of two things: humidity, and leaks.
Humidity
High humidity levels in the air increase the amount of moisture present in your bedroom. When this moisture comes into contact with a cool surface (like your ceiling), it condenses, creating a damp environment.
And since mould requires moisture to grow, the excess humidity provides the ideal breeding ground for mould spores to settle and thrive.
Not what you want!
The basic issue at play here is that the heat we all generate in our homes rises, and its usually a lot warmer inside a house than outside. So, when the warm inside air rises and meets the cool ceiling (which is being cooled by the air outside), condensation occurs.
This is why it’s crucial to have adequate ventilation – if the warm air can escape, then it won’t come into contact with your ceiling, and no mould will grow.
Leaks
The other cause of mould on a bedroom ceiling is leaks.
When you have a leak that is causing the ceiling to be consistently damp, it creates the ideal environment for mould to grow. And if that dampness really is consistent and can never dry, then you really have a problem.
We often get asked if skylights are a cause of bedroom ceiling leaks (which you can read more about here), but the short answer is no, they shouldn’t be.
How to Get Rid of Bedroom Ceiling Mould (Step by Step)
Initial Safety Precautions
Before you start, make sure you consider the following precautions:
- You don’t want to make direct contact with the mould spores, so make sure to wear protective gloves and a mask.
- Good ventilation is a must, so open the windows and/or use a good fan to improve airflow during the cleaning process.
- Cover the floor and furniture beneath the mouldy ceiling to prevent the mould spores from spreading.
Identify and Address the Source of Moisture
The next step is to identify and eliminate the source of moisture to prevent recurring mould problems. It’s no good getting rid of the mould without also getting rid of the cause of the mould, otherwise it’s just going to reappear.
As we’ve spoken about above, common sources of the moisture that causes mould include roof leaks, plumbing leaks, high humidity, and poor ventilation.
Address the underlying issue to prevent future mould growth!
Gather Your Tools and Supplies
Now you’ve addressed the root cause, it’s time to deal with the current mould on your ceiling.
To effectively remove the existing mould, gather the following items:
- Scrub brush or sponge
- Mild detergent or cleaning vinegar
- Bleach (for non-porous surfaces only)
- Bucket of warm water
- Spray bottle
- Protective clothing and gear
Prepare Your Cleaning Solution
For non-porous surfaces, mix one part bleach with three parts water in a spray bottle.
Or if you’re after a more environmentally friendly solution, mix equal parts vinegar and water.
Do not mix bleach and vinegar together, as it can create toxic fumes (chlorine gas).
If you’d prefer an off-the-shelf solution purpose-built for removing mould, try this one.
Clean the Affected Area
To clean the mould from your ceiling:
- Moisten the ceiling with your cleaning solution to minimize the release of mould spores into the air.
- Allow the solution to sit for a few minutes to loosen the mould.
- Gently scrub the area using your scrub brush or sponge. Start from the outer edges and work your way toward the centre to stop the mould spreading out.
- Rinse the sponge or brush frequently in the cleaning solution to remove mould residue.
- Continue scrubbing until the mould is gone.
Unfortunately, if the ceiling material is porous and the mould is deeply embedded (like with a popcorn ceiling for example), you’re more than likely going to need to replace the ceiling.
Dry and Ventilate the Area
After you’ve done cleaning, make sure the ceiling (and whole bedroom in fact) is thoroughly dried to prevent mould regrowth. Top tips here would be to use fans or dehumidifiers to reduce the moisture levels, as well as opening your windows to improve the ventilation.
How to Prevent Future Ceiling Mould Growth
Now that we’ve addressed the source of the issue and got rid of all the mould, it’s now time to make sure this won’t (can’t!) happen again.
To prevent any kind of mould returning, keep that dehumidifier on for an hour in the morning and evening each day. Or if it’s easier, keep it switched on all day on a low setting – this is what I do, as I will always forget to turn it on again!
As well, when the dehumidifier is not on, ensure your bedroom windows are open a crack. This includes skylight windows too – most skylights have the option of opening them a small amount to let air in and out without also letting water in if it starts to rain.
Lastly, keep an eye on the old source of the leak, if there was one. The last thing you want to do is take all these preventative measures when the source of the mould growth (the leak) is still there.
I would also add – you can get mould-resistant paint or primer for your ceiling. If you are still worried about mould growth, this could be a good idea for you.
Wrapping Up…
As bad and unsightly as mould can be, it’s fairly easy to get rid of.
The most important bit is finding the root cause of the mould, and making sure you deal with this so that, once the current mould is gone, it won’t re-appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Mould on Ceilings Harmful?
Yes, the mould that appears on ceilings can be harmful, especially if you have breathing difficulties or a weak immune system.
In fact, in 2020 a child in the UK died as a result of prolonged exposure to black mould – the same mould that grows on ceilings in damp conditions.
What Causes Mould on My Ceiling?
Ceiling mould is caused when a ceiling is consistently damp, either as a result of humidity or a leak – which provides the perfect breeding ground for mould to grow.
Luckily however, ceiling mould is both easy to get rid of and easy to prevent – simply fix the cause of the leak, or lower the humidity in your room (we discuss methods for how to do both above).
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