How to Clean Mold off Your Bathroom Ceiling Safely

Bathrooms are a haven for mold and mildew. Dark, damp spaces make the perfect breeding ground, which is why you’ll frequently find it growing in the cracks of your tub, shower surround, and even under your sink. Sometimes, mold can even appear on your bathroom ceiling, making it easy to miss but hard to reach. Fortunately, tackling your growing fungus—and keeping it from coming back—is doable with this guide.

Prepping to Clean Mold

You should never try to clean areas of mold that are more than 10 square feet. For areas this size and larger, you’ll need to call in a local mold removal pro. Before you get started, you should also decide if you’re going to go with a DIY mold cleaning solution or purchase one. Both have their advantages. With a DIY solution, you know exactly what chemicals you’re bringing into your home, and with a store-bought brand, you can be confident it’ll work. But both can cause you to make a major mold cleanup mistake if you’re not careful. 

Once you have your solution, test it out on an inconspicuous part of your ceiling to ensure it won’t damage your paint. You never want to wait to find out the cleaner you’re using is going to stain or warp your paint until after you’ve covered your entire ceiling with it.

How to Prevent Mold From Coming Back

"I have worked alongside many building contractors, and when it comes to mold, their advice is to locate and eliminate the source," says Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dust Busters janitorial company in Williamsport, PA. "Oftentimes, the source can be tracked to the ventilation—or lack thereof."

Unfortunately, you’ll never be able to eliminate humidity from your bathroom—especially if you’re a fan of taking steaming hot showers from time to time. Combat future mold growth by limiting how much moisture remains in the air. The best first defense is making sure you clean your bathroom often—at least every week—to avoid moisture build up.

Always shower with your bathroom vent on, and remember to crack a window when you get out. Professionally installing a bathroom fan costs around $380. If your bathroom doesn’t have a vent installed, consider adding one by contacting a local handyperson.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Clean Mold Off Your Bathroom Ceiling

Cleaning your ceiling is hard work. Not only does it require harsh chemicals, but you’ll need to spend a portion of the job on a stool or stepladder and have your hands above your head. If that doesn’t sound like an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, you can hire a house cleaner. A local house cleaning service will be priced based on the size of your home and can run you from $0.07 to $0.15 per square foot.

Sometimes, mold can be a sign that you need mold remediation. In that case, you’ll need a mold remediation service to come out and conduct a mold inspection. Mold remediation can cost between $1,130 and $3,350, depending on the size and scope of the issue.