How to Clean Mold & White Powder From Basement Walls

Cleaning Efflorescence Powder

• 1

  Scrub the walls with pure white vinegar. Use a stiff brush to apply the vinegar, which will dissolve the mineral content of the white powder on the wall.

• 2

  Rinse the vinegar mixture off the walls. Use a power washer or simply wash with a brush and clear water. Use a shop vac to remove the water as it accumulates on the floor of the basement. Small amounts of water can also be absorbed with a sponge or towel and wrung into a bucket for removal. Avoid prolonged moisture exposure in the basement to avoid mold growth.

• 3

  Seal the concrete walls of the basement. Apply the commercial concrete sealer with a brush, roller or sprayer. Allow the sealer to dry according to manufacturer's instructions. Paint the sealed concrete wall, if desired, with standard interior paints.

Cleaning Basement Mold

• 4

  Remove wet porous materials from the basement and dispose of properly. This includes wet carpeting, wood and plaster wall materials or wet acoustical ceiling material.

• 5

  Clean non-porous surfaces, such as the cement basement walls themselves, with a mixture of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water. Wear rubber gloves while applying the bleach mixture with a scrub brush or mop. Allow the bleach mix to remain on the walls at least 10 minutes.

• 6

  Remove the liquid used during the cleaning process with a shop vac. Alternatively, use a sponge or towel to absorb the water and wring it into a bucket for removal.