How to remove mould from a bathroom ceiling

An annoyingly common issue in bathrooms, mould is caused in damp, humid environments and usually appears in hard-to-clean areas such as corners on your ceiling and in between tiles. It’s important to remove mould as fast as possible to avoid any long-lasting damage to both your bathroom and your health. 

Whether the mould has just started to grow or it’s become a bigger problem, we’ve created this helpful step-by-step guide to help you restore your bathroom to its previous mould-free state. With permanent solutions to protect your bathroom from future mould issues, you can enjoy a hot shower or bath completely worry-free.

What causes mould in bathrooms?

Bathrooms are commonly the most damp place in your house due to the steam from hot baths and showers. Lack of ventilation is one of the most common causes of mould growth in bathrooms and the ceilings are the first thing susceptible to mould, as the steam will rise and hit the ceiling, creating a damp and moist environment that's perfect for mould to grow. 

When materials such as grout, plasterboard and fabric get damp or waterlogged, they provide the ideal breeding ground for bathroom mould. So it’s important to consider what materials you’re using to decorate your bathroom to help prevent mould - more on this later!

What issues can mould in your bathroom cause?

Mould can cause a wide range of issues for both your home and the people who live there. Other than not looking very pleasant, mould can sometimes cause health issues such as breathing problems and infections, and it can also trigger allergies and asthma. 

Children, the elderly and anyone with existing skin or respiratory issues will be the most affected by the build-up of mould in a bathroom, which is why it’s so important to tackle the issue before it gets out of hand.

Mould can also make the environment feel unhygienic, which is a real issue for a bathroom as this is a space that you want to feel able to get clean. 

How to get rid of mould on your bathroom ceiling

Getting rid of mould for good isn’t as hard as some people may assume it to be, even with its ability to grow at a rapid pace. If you tackle the issue of mould as soon as you see it forming, then cleaning it should be quick and straightforward.

Let’s get into our easy step-by-step process for how you can remove mould from your bathroom ceiling on your own.

Before you remove the mould

While mould is easy to remove, we highly recommend taking caution and using the right gear to protect you from spores which can compromise your health. Below you can find a list of things you will need to safely remove mould from your bathroom ceiling that will help avoid inhaling the spores and getting them on your skin.

• Safety goggles
• Gloves
• Wear a long sleeve shirt
• A face mask

Ensure they are all fitted properly and won’t fall down while you work. We also highly recommend you ventilate your room as much as possible for this process to prevent inhaling both mould spores and the chemicals that you use to clean.

Removing the mould (step-by-step)

Now that you’ve got your safety gear in place, you’re ready to tackle your bathroom ceiling mould. 

1. To start removing mould, you will want to spray the affected area with either diluted bleach or a cleaning solution of mild detergent and warm water. (To effectively kill all mould, treat 1m wider than the mould patch to ensure proper removal)
2. Allow time for the solution to work. How long will depend on the severity of the mould, some cleaners get to work in just 5-minutes but you may need to leave the solution on overnight if it is a particularly stubborn patch
3. Apply white vinegar to the area, this is the active ingredient that will kill the mould. 
4. Leave this for around an hour before washing it down with water to stop the smell of vinegar from lingering in the room
5. Keep your bathroom well-ventilated until the area is fully dry. If you wish, you can use a hairdryer, which will help to speed up the drying process.

You can repeat this simple treatment if the mould reappears but we understand that the last thing you want to do is fight mould every weekend rather than enjoying your free time. So, let’s get into some great tips that we recommend to help keep the mould away for good!

How to stop mould from coming back in your bathroom

Just because you’ve cleaned up that pesky mould doesn’t mean that there aren’t any chances of it returning. Where there is moisture there will be mould, which is why you need to take some necessary steps to stop its unwanted return.

Keep your bathroom well-ventilated

Poor air circulation is one of the biggest reasons you may find mould in your home. Steam and moisture are the cause of most mould issues in bathrooms and to combat this, installing an extractor fan and keeping windows open will help prevent mould from occurring. Ensure your extractor fan is kept clean and free of dust and debris so that it can work effectively to remove moisture from the air. 

Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are one of the most common ways people help prevent moisture from causing problems in the home. A dehumidifier will absorb the moisture from the air before it can reach your walls and ceiling and stop any dampness from forming before it can lead to mould.

Using PVC panels to prevent mould

If you’re looking for a more practical way to prevent mould, then PVC wall panels are great for combatting dampness and water damage that can lead to bathroom mould. 

Typically bathroom wall panels are 100% waterproof and airtight, which means water cannot seep through onto the wall beneath and cause mould. These panels also do not need any grout during installation and this lack of grout helps prevent mould from developing.

For example, our white gloss PVC ceiling panels are 100% waterproof for long-lasting mould and damp prevention. They’re perfect for rooms that experience high amounts of moisture and with a tongue and groove system that allows each ceiling board to seamlessly slot together, installation is quicker and easier than ever.

White Gloss PVC Ceiling Panels

For those who want a more rustic aesthetic while still enjoying a mould-free bathroom, our grey ash wood effect panels are an excellent choice to create a unique look while still benefiting from that extra peace of mind. With the 100% waterproof features that will prevent mould growth in damp rooms, these panels offer the perfect blend between functionality and aesthetic.

Grey Ash Wood Effect Panels

Discover more bathroom panels with The Panel Company

Bathrooms should be a place to enjoy a nice relaxing shower and not a war zone for battling mould. Here at The Panel Company, we have a wide range of waterproof PVC ceiling panels to help you create your dream, mould-free bathroom.

Whether you’re more interested in functionality or aesthetics, don’t let mould get in the way of your interior design and create a bathroom that’s fully protected from dampness and water damage with our PVC panelling.