Your Comprehensive Guide to How to Get Rid of Mould on the Ceiling

Kepal Building Services
13 hours ago
6 min read

Mould on ceiling corner in bathroom or bedroom — Bathroom and bedroom corners are common mould hotspots when moist air can’t escape and settles on colder surfaces.

If you’ve spotted mould on your ceiling, you’re not alone.

It often starts as a few tiny specks and slowly spreads into grey or black patches.

Bathroom and bedroom ceilings are common trouble spots, especially in corners where there’s little air movement and ventilation is poor.

Before we get into the step-by-step guide on how to get rid of mould on a ceiling, it’s important to understand one thing: mould isn’t just a cleaning problem — it’s a moisture problem.

In this blog, we’ll explain how to remove mould safely and, just as importantly, how to stop it coming back.

Let’s Work out the Cause First

If you only clean what you can see, you’ll often find the mould returns a few weeks later.

That’s because most ceiling mould is caused by one of two things: condensation or a leak.

Condensation Mould

This is the most common type, especially in bathrooms and bedrooms. It forms when warm, moist air hits a colder ceiling surface and water vapour condenses.

You’ll often see it:

above showers or in bathroom corners
on bedroom ceilings in winter, especially in rooms that stay closed
in areas with little sunlight, poor ventilation, or limited air circulation

If you’ve noticed a mirror fogging up after a shower, that same moisture can settle on the ceiling. When it can’t escape, it lingers and mould take advantage.

Leak-related Mould

Leak-related mould usually comes from the roof, plumbing, or sometimes air-conditioning pipework.

It often looks and behaves differently from condensation mould. Watch for:

brown rings or staining
bubbling or peeling paint
patches that worsen after rain, or after using plumbing from the floor above

If you suspect a leak, fix that first. Otherwise, you’re cleaning while the ceiling continues to be fed with moisture.

A Quick Self Check

If you’re not sure what you’re dealing with, these questions can help:

Does it get worse after showers, cooking, or wet weather?
Is it always in the same spot?
Does the room feel humid or smell musty, even when it looks clean?

Your answers should point you towards the underlying cause, not just a temporary clean-up.

Before you Begin, Here’s How to Tackle Ceiling Mould Safely

Person wearing a face mask, safety glasses and gloves holding a spray bottle nozzle ready to clean a ceiling. — You’ll be working close to the ceiling, so it’s worth gearing up first. Mask, gloves and goggles help reduce what you breathe in or get on your skin.

Understand Your Ceiling Type so You Choose the Right Method

Before you pick a cleaning method, take a moment to check the surface.

Painted Ceiling

This is the most common and is usually the easiest to deal with. You can often remove surface mould with a mild detergent or vinegar, then only move to stronger options if staining remains.

Porous Ceiling

A porous ceiling, such as damaged plasterboard (or drywall), can be trickier. If it’s soft, crumbling, or repeatedly damp, cleaning alone may not be enough.

Porous materials can hold moisture and allow mould to regrow behind the paint.

Textured Ceilings

Textured ceilings (for example stippled or “popcorn” finishes) need a gentler approach. Heavy scrubbing can damage the texture and release more particles. Aim for controlled wiping rather than aggressive abrasion.

In short, the ceiling finish helps you judge what will work and what could cause more problems.

Do a Quick DIY vs Professional Check

Pause and ask yourself:

Is it bigger than a few small patches and starting to spread?
Is the ceiling soft, swollen, brown-stained, or peeling?
Does it come back quickly after cleaning?
Is anyone in the home higher risk (asthma, severe allergies, or a weakened immune system)?

If you answered yes to any of these, it may be safer (and more cost-effective) to get a professional assessment, especially for recurring mould or water-damaged plasterboard.

Get Your Safety Gear & Tools Ready

For small DIY jobs, guidance commonly recommends wearing a suitable mask/respirator, gloves, and eye protection during mould clean-up, along with good ventilation and protective clothing.

Here’s what to have nearby:

P2 or N95-style mask, plus gloves and safety glasses
Step ladder with stable non-slip feet
Dust sheet or plastic to protect floors and furniture
Spray bottle and bucket
Microfibre cloths or sponges (have a few spares so you can swap them out)
Soft brush or toothbrush for corners and ceiling edges
Fan or dehumidifier if the room stays humid

Ventilate & Isolate the Space

Open windows and doors for fresh air when using cleaning products, and never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.

A few extra practical steps also help:

Shut the door to the room to reduce spread
Cover furniture, or move it out of the way

Keep unprotected people away from the area while you clean

Here are 3 Ways to Get Rid of Mould on The Ceiling

Removing ceiling mould isn’t just about wiping it away. The best approach depends on what’s causing it and what condition the ceiling is in.

Method 1 : Washing-up Liquid & Water

This is often the best place to start for small patches, especially on painted ceilings. It’s low-odour, gentle, and usually enough if the mould is only on the surface.

Steps

Mix warm water with a small amount of washing-up liquid.
Dampen a microfibre cloth (don’t soak it).
Wipe gently and let the cloth do the work.
Follow with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue.
Dry thoroughly with good airflow.

Why it works? You’re physically removing the mould without over-wetting the ceiling or creating strong fumes.

Method 2 : Vinegar Solution

Before you start, go easy on how much vinegar you use.

A light mist is all you need. If you drench the ceiling, it can bubble the paint or leave water marks and then you’ve got a new problem to deal with.

Steps :

Ventilate the room, put on PPE, and protect the floor.
Lightly mist the vinegar mix onto the affected area.
Leave it for 10–30 minutes (longer for stubborn spots).
Wipe gently with a clean cloth.
Use a soft brush or toothbrush for edges and cornices.
Wipe again with a clean, damp cloth.
Dry completely using a fan and fresh airflow.

Method 3 : Bleach Used with Care

Bleach is widely discussed, but it isn’t automatically the best option for every ceiling. If you choose to use it, follow the safety advice below and the product label.

Safety advice:

Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaners.
Ventilate well.
Use no more than 1 cup of bleach per 1 US gallon of water (about 240 ml per 3.8 litres).

Bleach can make sense when:

there’s stubborn staining on a sound, washable painted surface
ventilation is strong (open windows plus a fan)
you can control drips and avoid splashing

Steps:

Put on PPE and ventilate the room well.
Mix a fresh solution each time, and don’t exceed the recommended dilution.
Apply with a damp cloth or sponge (not a dripping one).
Wipe gently and use a toothbrush for corners.
Wipe with clean water if your paint finish needs it.
Dry thoroughly.

Important note, If the ceiling is porous or damaged, bleach won’t fix the underlying moisture problem and it won’t repair water-damaged materials.

When to Call a Professional & Why It Matters

One of Kepal Building services team offering mould assessment and remediation assistance. — When mould keeps coming back or spreads beyond small patches, it’s usually time to stop guessing and get professional help.

When mould keeps coming back or spreads beyond small patches, it’s usually time to stop guessing and get professional help.

If the mould keeps coming back, covers a large area, or you suspect a leak, it’s usually time to stop guessing and get professional help.

DIY is often suitable when the mouldy area is smaller than about 10 square feet (around 1 m²). For larger areas, professional remediation is generally recommended.

You should also avoid DIY if: