How To Remove Mould From Wallpaper

• What causes mould to grow on wallpaper?
• Why does mould grow behind wallpaper?
• The signs mould is growing under your wallpaper
• Is mould dangerous?
• How to clean mould on wallpaper
• How to remove mould behind wallpaper
• Contact us today

Mould can quickly ruin the appearance of your wallpaper, damage it, release an unpleasant odour into your property, and put your health at risk. Unfortunately, removing mould from wallpaper is very difficult and usually requires an extensive cleaning process.

Here at ICE Cleaning, we offer thorough, long-lasting mould removal services. Our technicians are fully qualified to get rid of all the mould in your property, including mould growing behind wallpaper and invisible mould spores in the air.

Keep reading to find out why mould is growing on your wallpaper and how to remove it.

What causes mould to grow on wallpaper?

Mould grows in environments that contain excess moisture and organic material for it to feed off. It is usually caused by condensation, leaks, damp, water damage, high humidity, poor ventilation, and flooding.

As mould can grow on wallpaper, the presence of any moisture provides it with the perfect conditions to quickly grow and spread. You can find out more about the main causes of mould in this blog.

Why does mould grow behind wallpaper?

The glue that sticks wallpaper to the wall can collect dirt and dust, giving mould a food source. Water and moisture could also collect there, too. Water seeks warmer areas, so any cold moisture outside of your home will slowly move indoors before getting trapped behind the wallpaper.

The wallpaper creates a dark environment which mould thrives in because sunlight can inhibit mould growth and kill it, as well. The space behind wallpaper provides mould with the perfect incubation zone, enabling it to become a major problem very rapidly.

The signs mould is growing under your wallpaper

If mould is growing behind your wallpaper, it may not be visible and can spread without you knowing it. You must keep an eye out for the following symptoms of mould or your health could be at risk.

• There is a musty, damp, or earthy smell coming from the wallpaper or outlets
• The wallpaper is warping which indicates a moisture problem that could lead to mould
• There are patches of discolouration and slimy areas

Usually, the only way to confirm mould is growing under it is to remove the wallpaper first and then inspect the wall for signs of mould.

Is mould dangerous?

Exposure to mould can put you at risk of a range of health problems. Mould produces allergens which can trigger an allergic reaction including sneezing, a runny nose, a sore throat, and skin rashes, as well as irritants and toxins which may be more harmful. It can also trigger asthma attacks.

The most common type of mould that grows behind wallpaper is black mould (Stachybotrys chartarum). Some research suggests it can produce mycotoxins and lead to major health problems, like mycotoxicosis, but there is not much evidence to support this.

However, this is not to say mould is not a serious issue. You should still have mould removed as soon as possible. Some groups are particularly vulnerable to exposure including elderly and young people, people with respiratory conditions, and people with weakened immune systems.

How to clean mould on wallpaper

Although some people recommend removing mould from wallpaper with vinegar and other household products or mould removers, you should always bring in specialist cleaners.

Mould remediation is a long, difficult process, particularly if the mould has covered the entire wall as it all needs to be removed. If your mould remover is not effective, it will also come back quickly and you will need to have it treated again.

Some of these mould removal cleaning products use harsh chemicals, too, like bleach and caustic soda. Few mould removers are suitable for wallpaper and they could damage it.

Cleaning it yourself without personal protective equipment (PPE) will put your health at risk, as well. You could touch or inhale the mould spores, and aggravating the mould can cause it to release spores which could spread elsewhere in your property.

It is recommended you always bring in professionals for mould remediation, particularly if it is growing on sensitive surfaces like wallpaper and covering a large area. They will have the specialist products, equipment, and PPE to remove all traces of the mould in your property.

They can even diagnose what is causing the mould to grow and advise on how to prevent it returning in the future.

How to remove mould behind wallpaper

Getting rid of mould growing under wallpaper is far more challenging. You will need to remove all the wallpaper, remediate the mould, throw out the mouldy wallpaper, and then replace it. You also have to be careful that the door is covered so mould spores cannot travel to other parts of your home during the treatment.

Professional mould cleaners can take care of this entire process for you. They will quickly strip the walls, remediate the mould, and dispose of the waste, as well as give you peace of mind that all the mould has been eliminated.

Contact us today

Our technicians are available nationwide, day and night, 365 days a year. We also offer a lifetime guarantee* with our mould removal services so you can be sure your home will stay protected against mould in the future.

To book our technicians for mould remediation, get in touch with our team on 0208 066 0360 or at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.

*subject to advisories