Fix
Mold & stains
Mildew, water marks and the oven you've been avoiding. What to clean, what to replace, and when it's a bigger problem.
4 step-by-step guides
Pick your problem
Mold on the walls?
There's a dark, fuzzy patch spreading on the wall, maybe behind the dresser or near a window. The bad news first: mold always means water is getting somewhere it shouldn't. The good news: a small patch is something you can clean yourself.
Time1 hourCost$20 to $40See the fix →Black mold in the shower?
Those black spots along the tub and in the grout lines came back again. You scrubbed. They laughed. It's not you. Grout can come clean, but stained caulk usually has to come out and be replaced.
Time1 to 2 hoursCost$10 to $25See the fix →Water stain on the ceiling?
A brown ring showed up on the ceiling, and you can't stop looking at it. The stain is the small part. The real job is finding where the water came from, because paint alone won't keep it gone.
Time1 hour to paintCost$20 to $50See the fix →How to clean an oven
You opened the oven and something from last Thanksgiving looked back at you. The smoke alarm has opinions too. A baking soda paste does most of the work while you sleep, and you probably already own everything you need.
Time30 minutes of workCost$0 to $5See the fix →