How To Remove Water Stains On Walls

A leaky ceiling can lead to unsightly water stains on your walls. Water stains can be difficult to remove if you don't attempt to do so properly. However, if you follow a few simple steps, removing water stains will be quick and easy. Be sure to find and fix the source of the water stain before you begin to repair the walls, or you will be repeating this process in a very short time.

Step 1

Put on a pair of rubber gloves. Pour 1 cup of bleach and 3 cups of water into a bucket. If you have a large water stain, or have several stains you are trying to remove, add more bleach and more water. Always use the rule of 3 parts water to 1 part bleach.

Step 2

Dip a large sponge in the water and bleach mixture. Rub the sponge across the water stain, scrubbing away any mold or mildew, saturating the wall in the cleaning solution. Allow the solution to sit on the wall for 20 minutes.

Step 3

Run clean water over another sponge and dab the bleach mixture off of the wall. Dry the area with a clean cloth or paper towel using a dabbing motion. Paint the area with stain-blocking primer to keep the stain from returning.