Clean Up Minor Mold on Drywall

Category: Hazmat · Difficulty: Intermediate · Time: 3.7h · Estimated cost: $60

Tools needed

Confirm scope
Mold area must be UNDER 10 sq ft total and on a hard surface (not soaked drywall behind it). Larger or saturated areas require licensed mold remediation, not DIY.
Duration: 10 min
Containment
Tape plastic sheeting around the work zone — floor to ceiling. Turn off HVAC for the room. Open exterior window to the outside if possible.
Duration: 30 min
Suit up
Wear N95 respirator (not a paper mask), goggles, nitrile gloves, long sleeves you'll throw away.
Duration: 5 min
Spray with vinegar
Saturate the moldy area with full-strength white vinegar. Let sit 60 minutes. (Vinegar kills 82% of mold species; bleach only kills surface, not roots.)
Duration: 1h 5m
Scrub with borax solution
Mix 1 cup borax to 1 gallon hot water. Scrub the area firmly with a stiff brush. Wipe with damp cloth, do NOT rinse — leftover borax keeps inhibiting regrowth.
Duration: 30 min
Dry completely
Run a fan and dehumidifier on the area for 24-48 hours. Mold needs moisture; dry it out fully before sealing.
Duration: 5 min
Prime and paint
Apply mold-killing primer, then your normal wall paint over it. This locks in any remaining spores.
Duration: 1h
Disposal
Bag all rags, gloves, plastic sheeting, brush — double-bag and discard with regular trash. Wash clothes hot, separately.
Duration: 15 min

Wear an N95 respirator at all times — mold spores cause respiratory damage.
Never mix vinegar and bleach (toxic chlorine gas).
Find and FIX the moisture source — leak, condensation, ventilation — or the mold returns within weeks.

Larger than 10 sq ft, behind drywall, in HVAC ducts, or after a flood — call a licensed mold remediation contractor immediately.