Windows are a convenient place for mold development, especially if you cover them up with heavy drapes during winter. Further, the reasons for their growth are dirt containing organic material and plants that increase humidity and transfer spores.
Always keep in mind that mold accumulating on parts of your window is highly toxic. Therefore, the best way to clean it is to use non-toxic methods. Always wear gloves, a protective mask, and safety glasses while cleaning to protect the skin, eyes, and lungs. Let’s see how to get rid of mold on windows successfully.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Windows with Products
1. Borax
Borax is a highly efficient and inexpensive agent against accumulated mold on the window sill and non-porous surfaces, such as tiles, wood, and glass.
What you need
- 1 cup of borax
- 1 gallon (3.8 l) of water
- Respiratory mask
- Scrub brush
Instructions
After vacuuming the appropriate surface to prevent spreading spores, you should start cleaning mold with a water solution of borax. You will need a brush to scrub away all traces of mold. Then wipe the area. Don’t rinse it to allow borax to prevent the future growth of spores.
2. Borax and White Vinegar
The combination of white vinegar and borax will kill mold on the window sill efficiently without emitting toxic fumes.
You will need
- 5 cup of white vinegar
- 25 cup of borax
- 32 ounces (0.95 l) of warm water
- Spray bottle
- Paper towels
- Respiratory mask
Instructions
Mix borax with vinegar and water and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake the solution thoroughly and apply it to the affected surface. Then, wipe mold debris with paper towels.
3. Bleach
Bleach is an excellent agent you can use to get rid of black mold on the window sill, tiles, and glass. Be careful while cleaning since bleach produces poisonous fumes.
You will need
- 5 cup bleach
- Dish detergent
- 1 gallon (3.8 l) of water
- Spray bottle
- Respiratory mask
- Sponge
- Paper towels or microfiber cloths
- Hairdryer
- Plastic scraper
- Plastic bag
Instructions
Mix bleach and water, pour the solution into a plastic spray bottle, and clean the affected area thoroughly with a sponge. Let the bleach sit on glass, frame, and window sill for at least an hour before whipping it with a towel or microfiber cloths.
Unfortunately, bleach can’t kill mold, but it can remove ugly black coloring from the surface you clean.
4. Detergent
Detergent is also highly effective on non-porous surfaces like tiles and glass, and it will help you to get rid of mold on the window sill quickly. It can’t kill the mold, but the water soap solution will soak it and help you scrub it away.
What you need
- 1cup laundry detergent
- 1 gallon (3.8 l) of water
- Respiratory mask
- Scrub brush
- Disposable cloth
Instructions
Dilute detergent in water and apply the solution to the area infected with mold. Then scrub it with a brush. In the end, rinse the surface with a disposable cloth.
5. Ammonia
Clear ammonia can kill even the most persistent mold on the window sill, and this accumulated on your window frame. However, you should know that it is a toxic product.
Always turn on your window fan and ventilate the room while cleaning. Avoid applying ammonia if your window frames are made of wood. Also, never mix ammonia and bleach to avoid getting a poisonous gas, which may hurt you.
You will need
- 2 cups of clear ammonia
- 2 cups of water
- Respiratory mask
- Spray bottle
- Paper towels
Instructions
Make a solution of ammonia and water, and pour it into a plastic spray bottle. Spray the moldy window thoroughly and, after about two hours, wipe the area with paper towels and rinse it with a sufficient quantity of water.
6. Dry-Cleaning and Vacuuming
In most cases, you won’t need to dry-clean mold on the window sill. You should use this efficient method once the significant amount of mold accumulates there.
On the other hand, vacuuming the area is a comfortable way to remove this menace before cleaning. Take care to do this job while your window is wide open and the room ventilated appropriately.
You will need
- Vacuum cleaner
- White vinegar
- Respiratory mask
- Disposable cloth
Instructions
After vacuuming mold from the affected area, don’t forget to clean the vacuum with white vinegar and a disposable damp cloth. That way, you will prevent the spreading of the spores.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Windows with Natural Methods
7. Hot Soapy Water
Believe it or not, this is probably the most ineffective way to destroy mold. You can clean it by using this method, but it will survive and keep spreading spores all around over time.
Anyway, you can use this method as a first aid to get rid of ugly black mold on the window sill and other parts of your PVC and wooden window.
You will need
- 1 cup of dishwashing liquid
- 1 cup of warm water
- Paper towels
- Scraper or brush
Instructions
Soak all the parts of the window where the mold has developed with dishwashing liquid diluted in water. Let it sit there for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping away the mold with paper towels.
You will probably need to scrub the surface with a scraper or brush. Then, turn on your window air conditioner to help the surface become dry and open the window to ventilate the room well.
8. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide works well on most surfaces and can remove mold on the window sill efficiently. The best thing is that this excellent anti-fungal product is entirely non-toxic and safe for use inside the house.
You will need
- Bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Spray bottle
- Paper towels
Instructions
Use a plastic spray bottle and pour 3% hydrogen peroxide in it. Then spray the parts of the window affected with mold. Let it sit for approximately 20 to 30 minutes and wipe the surface with paper towels. In the end, run a window fan to ventilate the room.
9. Baking Soda
This natural and highly effective agent will help you get rid of mold on the window sill and other porous and non-porous surfaces. The advantage of baking soda is that it is safe for both children and pets.
You will need
- 25 tsp of baking soda
- 2 cups of water
- Spray bottle
- Scrub brush
Instructions
Dilute baking soda in water and pour the mixture into a plastic spray bottle. Spray it over the affected area and then use a brush to scrub mold from it. After rinsing the surface thoroughly, you should repeat the procedure to prevent the further growth of mold.
10. White Vinegar
As always, when you need to clean something in your home, you can rely on fantastic and highly efficient white vinegar. It is the right solution to remove spots of mold on the window sill. Vinegar is not useful against all forms of mold, but it kills about 82% of known species.
You will need
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 1 cup of water
- Spray bottle
- Paper towels
Instructions
Depending on the amount of mold, you will use vinegar in two possible ways:
- For lighter mold spots, you should use a water solution of vinegar
- For heavy mold spots, you should use pure white vinegar
Pour concentrated vinegar or the solution into a plastic spray bottle and spray the affected area. Let it sit for an hour until killing the mold entirely. Then wipe the surface with paper towels.
11. Grapefruit Seed Extract
It is an excellent natural and entirely odorless method to kill mold on the window sill. It is a bit expensive solution, so you should calculate if it works for you.
You will need
- 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract
- 2 cups of water
- Spray bottle
Instructions
Add the grapefruit seed extract into the water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. After soaking the area, let the solution there to prevent the further growth of spores.
12. Tea Tree Oil
The solution made of tea tree oil is an entirely natural and harmless fungicide, and you can use it on all kinds of surfaces. Therefore, it is highly recommended as an agent that can destroy black mold on the window sill efficiently.
Unfortunately, it is quite an expensive option. If you need to clean the wide area, it is probably a better idea to pick another agent.
You will need
- 2 tsp of tea tree oil
- 2 cups of water
- Spray bottle
Instructions
Make a solution of tea tree oil and water, pour it into a plastic spray bottle, and apply it to the moldy area. It is not necessary to wipe the surface afterward because the tea tree oil prevents the growth of spores in the long run.
How to Get Rid of Mold on Windows with Chemical Method
13. Mold Disinfectants
If the amount of mold on the window sill is too large, and none of the above methods have been successful, it is time to buy effective mold disinfectant. You can buy an EPA-registered, specially formulated mold disinfectant in the local store or order it online.
You will need
- Mold disinfectant
- Protective coverall
- Respiratory mask
- Safety goggles
- Protective gloves
Instructions
Apply the product on the affected surface, and let it act. It will make an invisible barrier and protect the area in the long run. Keep the room well-ventilated during the process of cleaning.