Care Guides · Home Care
Post-monsoon mould: how to clean walls, ceilings and wardrobes
By MIB Care Team · Last reviewed 23 October 2026 · 6 min read
Short answer: Fix the damp first, then clean. Wear gloves and a mask, scrub small patches with a mild detergent solution, wipe dry, and keep the room ventilated and below about 60% humidity. Mould that covers more than about one square metre, or keeps returning, needs a professional.
Why mould appears after the monsoon
From June to October, Mumbai air stays very humid, and seepage soaks walls from outside. Mould grows wherever moisture stays: behind wardrobes, in ceiling corners, on bathroom walls and inside cupboards that stay shut.
Before you start: stay safe
- Wear rubber gloves, a well-fitted mask (N95 type) and eye protection.
- Open windows and run a fan pointing outward.
- Keep children, elderly family members and pets out of the room.
- Never mix bleach with vinegar, acids or ammonia-based cleaners. The fumes are dangerous.
Step by step: walls and ceilings
- Find the source. Check for seepage, leaking pipes or a blocked balcony drain. Cleaning without fixing it only buys a few weeks.
- Protect the room. Move furniture away and cover the floor with old sheets.
- Test a hidden patch. Some paints and wallpapers stain or peel when wet.
- Scrub gently. Use a soft brush and warm water with mild detergent. Do not dry-brush, which spreads spores into the air.
- Wipe and dry. Wipe with a clean damp cloth, then dry fully with a fan.
- Treat and repaint later. Once the wall is dry and the damp is fixed, apply an indoor-safe anti-fungal treatment, and repaint with anti-fungal paint if needed.
Wardrobes, leather and fabrics
- Empty the wardrobe on a dry, sunny day and air everything in the shade.
- Wipe the inside with a mild detergent solution, then dry with the doors open for a few hours.
- Wipe leather bags and shoes with a dry cloth outdoors, then condition them.
- Wash cotton clothes; send silk and wool for dry cleaning.
- Put moisture absorbers in every cupboard and change them monthly.
Stop it coming back
- Keep a gap of a few centimetres between wardrobes and outer walls
- Run exhaust fans during and after every shower
- Use a dehumidifier in rooms that stay closed
- Clear balcony and terrace drains before June
- Open cupboards for an hour on dry days
- Book a deep clean every 4 to 6 months
When it is a job for professionals
Call a professional if the mould covers more than about one square metre, comes back within weeks, smells strongly, or anyone at home has asthma or allergies. Ceilings and high walls also need ladders and safety equipment.
When to call MIB Care Team
Home deep cleaning. Customised to your home, walls and ceilings included. Book online in 60 seconds.
Questions we hear often
Can I use vinegar to clean mould?
Diluted white vinegar can help on small, non-porous patches. Never use it together with bleach, and test it first, because it can damage natural stone such as marble.
Will painting over mould solve it?
No. Paint hides mould for a few weeks. Fix the damp, clean and dry the wall, then repaint with anti-fungal paint.
Is mould harmful?
Mould can trigger allergies and breathing problems, especially for children, older people and anyone with asthma. Clean it promptly and keep the room ventilated.
Does MIB Care Team clean mould?
Yes. Post-monsoon deep cleaning covers walls, ceilings, wardrobes and washrooms at ₹15 per sq ft + GST, walls and ceilings included.