What Kind Of Mold Is In Your Bathroom
Molds come in three different classifications:
- Allergenic: Causes an allergic reaction or asthma-like symptoms.
- Pathogenic: Harmful to people with acute illness or compromised immunity.
- Toxigenic: Dangerous or even deadly to everyone.
Unfortunately, it can be difficult to tell different kinds of mold apart. Black mold in showers could be Stachybotrys the most toxic black mold but it could be Alternaria or Aspergillus, two common household molds.
You can have your mold tested to determine what variety it is, but the CDC recommends treating all molds as harmful. Its best to remove and clean any mold as quickly as possible.
Black Mold In The Shower: How To Clean It
One of my nemeses when cleaning the shower or bathroom has been black mold. I cant stand it! And unfortunately for me, I am a bit lazy in the cleaning department, haha. Until I found out about a couple of wonderful methods for cleaning it. Do you have black mold in the shower or bathroom? Time to learn how to clean it right up!
Black mold in the shower or bathroom is notoriously stubborn to clean with normal mold and mild removal sprays, once it has developed over a long period of time. If you keep on top of it, they do a great job keeping that shower tile spotless.
But in the event that you have been lazy in cleaning like me, never fear I have got you covered. In this article, you will learn three ways or products that you can try to clean that black mold in the shower or bathroom or even kitchen tile. Lets get started!
Tips For Cleaning Mold On A Shower Made Of Marble
In a memorable episode of the reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Kylie Jenner mentioned that her office featured a marble shower, which wasnt actually shown until she posted a photograph of it on Instagram. While a marble shower in an office may seem to be over the top, light-colored natural-stone surfaces are part of Jenner’s life. Her Southern California mansion features white marble in both kitchen and bathroom spaces. Marble in the shower is highly desirable, but like any other type of natural stone it has the potential of developing mold. Luckily, mold growth on marble tiles or panels is something you can prevent or eliminate. Here are some recommendations for how to clean natural-stone showers made of marble and avoid mold buildup.
Keep Your Marble Dry
Keep Your Marble Sealed
The sealant treatment applied when marble is installed in your shower stall wont last forever, but you can keep a fresh and strong seal with Granite Gold Sealer®. When mold forms on top of properly sealed marble, you can easily wipe it away using a marble and granite shower cleaner such as Granite Gold Shower Cleaner®. However, if the seal has weakened, the tiny spores that reproduce into colonies could penetrate the porous surface, thus requiring a more involved method of cleaning and removal.
The Dangers of Mold
Safely Cleaning Mold on Marble Surfaces
Read Also: How To Remove Mold From Rug
Do You Need To Use Protective Equipment When Cleaning
When using powerful cleaning products, you should always use the right protective gear to prevent potential accidents.
When working with vinegar or bicarbonate of soda, youre safe without any protective equipment but with any bleach mixture, you should wear gloves and protective eyewear at the minimum.
With ammonia, you should also wear a respirator and if you dont have one, its inadvisable to continue with that product.
Tools For Bathroom Mold Removal
Before you start your bathroom mold removal, you should stock up on a few key items which will make the process a bit easier. First, invest in an antifungal cleanser. This kind of cleanser helps cut through the fungus for a deep clean. White vinegar helps slow down regrowth, too, and is a great option to finish sanitizing the affected area after you are done removing the mold itself. Finally, bleach can be used to brighten and disinfect surfaces after shower mold removal.
Read the labels of these cleaning products carefully and ensure you follow the manufacturers guidelines. Always use appropriate safety precautions.
Recommended Reading: How To Remove Mold From Curtains
How To Clean A Black Mold Shower Curtain
I am going to state the obvious and tell you that a simple way to get rid of black mold on a shower curtain is to just get rid of the shower curtain and buy a new one! They are not very expensive usually and ensure there is no more mold in your shower.But, if you dont like to replace items , cant afford to do so, or like a cleaning challenge, then there are some tutorials for removing black mold from shower curtains. Weve been able to remove some pink and black mold from our shower curtains through the years and it isnt all that difficult.
If you have a plastic or vinyl shower curtain liner, simply use a baking soda and water mixture and gently scrub it off then rinse with water. Then you can spray some vinegar on it to help inhibit more growth and remove any watermarks.
If you have a cloth or fabric shower curtain or shower liner, you will do something similar. I suggest heading to this post or this post for a good tutorial on how to do it indoors and outdoors
Lastly, you can throw your shower curtain into the washing machine with some laundry detergent and 1/2 cup baking soda , run on the gentle cycle . Or Ive done it with just a straight vinegar wash before too.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In The Shower
Before we get to the various ways toclean a moldy shower, I want to provide you with links to posts that I have writtenabout some of the specific mold removal products. This will give you a betteridea about why I am recommending them.
How to remove mold with:
I think it is also important for you to know why I do NOT recommend cleaning mold with bleach. You need to read that post but in short, it causes MORE mold growth and doesnt actually kill mold.
Ready? Lets go area by area.
Read Also: How To Clean Mold Of Leather
Up Your Mold Cleaning With Bleach
Sometimes you need to bring out the potent agents to get rid of mold. When your mold shrugs off vinegar, peroxide, or Borax, you can turn to bleach.
Bleach is a strong disinfectant. Its so powerful that the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends cleaning flooded homes with it for mold remediation. You can harness that power for shower mold removal .
- Scrub pad or brush
Don all safety gear. Mix the bleach and water and add it to the bottle. Spray the bleach solution on mold stains, let it sit for a few minutes, and scrub. Rinse the area and dry it.
Bleach produces toxic fumes, so make sure that your bathroom has adequate ventilation. Turn on the exhaust fan and open all windows. If you are not sure if your bathroom has sufficient ventilation, use the respirator.
How To Remove Mold From Shower Caulking With Vinegar
Vinegar is well-known as a universal cleaning agent, and this is largely due to the fact that it contains acetic acid. This will not only help remove the visible black mold but will also kill the remaining microbes and spores you cant see to stop the mold coming back.
Vinegar is effective against 82% of mold varieties, and another advantage is that it isnt harmful to the environment.
Its best to use cleaning-grade white vinegar since its cheaper than food-grade vinegar. However, if you dont have any to hand, food-grade vinegar like wine or cider vinegar will work just as well.
Read Also: How To Clean Mold Off Pavers
Try Soaking It In A Vinegar Solution
If its still not spraying straight, mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water and pour it into a plastic bag. Put the plastic bag around the showerhead so the holes are immersed in the liquid, and secure the bag to the shaft with a twist tie or rubber band. Allow it to soak for at least 15 to 20 minutes .
Pro tip: Be careful soaking high-end finishes like polished brass and oiled bronze for more than an hour. You can also dip a brush in vinegar and scrub the clogged nozzles instead.
Read Also: What Can Living With Black Mold Cause
Effective Ways To Clean Mold Off Your Bathroom
The bathroom is ideal for mold growth because of the warm, humid climate, and it may develop on almost any surface. Mold in the bathroom might be difficult to remove after it has been discovered. To spruce up your bathroom, follow our mold cleaning advice, which includes recommended solutions, care guidelines for particular surfaces, and helpful preventative advice. To avoid having to combat mold in the bathroom on a regular basis, youll want to be sure you get it all.
Read Also: How To Rid Your Body Of Mold
Remove Or Clean Bathroom Ceiling Mold
Determining whether to remove or clean mold off the ceiling will come down to one thing:
Is there a leak?
Often times, mold found on the ceiling of the shower is just surface mold.Sometimes the mold is not even visible because it is white and not dense. Its caused by condensation on the surface of the ceiling because a dew point is reached.
Think about this
When you take a nice hot shower, what happens to the mirror?
It fogs because the steam caused by the hot water lands on the cooler surface, causing condensation. Well, the same thing can happen on the ceiling without proper ventilation.Tiny droplets of water can form and lead to mold on the surface of the shower ceiling. If the shower is built correctly and the ventilation fan is work efficiently, you can prevent surface mold from growing on the roof of the shower.
The type of paint used in the bathrooms may also affect whether mold stains will present itself above the bath.Latex paint will generally be able to host mold more than eggshell.
This type of mold or mildew that forms on the surface of the ceiling can usually be cleaned.When the shower ceiling needs to be removed due to mold is there is an actual water leak in the attic caused by:
How To Prevent Mold In The Shower Head
Molds are likely to return if specific long-term preventative measures are not implemented. The likelihood of mold growth will increase since shower areas are constantly moist or have a high relative humidity.
The bathroom window should always be left open to let enough airflow or sunlight in to prevent the growth of mold. Along with fixing any shower head or shower wall leaks, its crucial to avoid the growth of mold.
Cleaning the shower areas on a regular basis using mold-terminating chemicals like phenols or dettol lowers the chance of new mold growth by 80% and keeps the shower area free of mold.
Try to keep the shower head dry after using it, and check on it in two or three days to see if there is any discoloration or odor coming from it. The sooner mold is discovered, the simpler it will be to get rid of it.
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Shower Caulk Mold Removal
When black mold is noticeable on the shower caulking, take the following steps to stop the growth process and remove the mold from shower caulking:
Act Now and Remove Mold from your HomeCall a Professional Mold Remediation Specialist or Get Up to 4 Quotes Now.
Step 1: Protect yourself by wearing the recommended gear listed below.
Step 2: Ventilate the area by opening windows and the bathroom door. Turn on the bathroom ventilation fan and open a window, if possible. Keep the bathroom door open.
Step 3: Mix one cup bleach with one gallon of water.
Step 4: Fill a spray bottle.
Step 5: Remove towels from the area to prevent spots on the fabric.
Step 6: Spray the area that has visible black mold.
Step 7: Wait 30 minutes and then rinse with fresh water.
If the mildew does not wipe away, it could be growing within the caulk. If the mold has penetrated the caulk surface, the only answer is to remove the caulk and replace it with mold resistant caulk designed for bathrooms.
During this process, if you begin to feel light-headed, leave the area for a few minutes. For extensive jobs, work in small increments of time to reduce the impact of the cleaning solutions.
Using A Commercial Cleaning Product:
Find a commercial mold cleaner product in your local hardware store. Read the instructions on how to use it and follow them accordingly. Do not rinse the area after using this mold cleaner solution, but wipe it dry with a clean cloth or towel instead. See in most bathrooms is a shower. Its an integral part of most homes, and its one of the most popular fixtures in a bathroom. It not only cleanses us but also provides a relaxing environment for most people.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Mold In Pool
How Can I Get Rid Of Mould In My Bathroom
Depending on the scale and location of the mould, you may be able to remove it yourself. The NHS advises that you only remove mould if its caused by condensation and covers an area less than one metre squared.
If this is not the case, you will need to call a specialist, such as a mould remediation and removal company or damp repair company.
Before you look at removing any mould from your home, it is important to identify the source. Common areas where mould forms include the walls, ceiling, on bathroom tiles, grout, basins and bathtubs, drains and behind shower tiles – which can result in large repair costs if the damage is extensive.
How Do You Deep Clean An Acrylic Shower
Use a soft, non-abrasive cloth or sponge when cleaning. A textured sponge will scratch or damage surfaces. Clean the shower weekly with a mild cleanser and water to prevent soap scum and grime build-up. Wet & Forget Shower is a no-scrub weekly shower cleaner that is gentle on acrylic and fiberglass surfaces.
Can I use vinegar on acrylic shower?
To gently clean your acrylic tub, you can use natural products like vinegar, baking soda and lemon. You can also buy commercial cleaners designed for acrylic tubs.
What is the best cleaner for acrylic shower walls?
Your best bet is to use a mild acid-based solution like Lysol Power Bathroom Cleaner, Formula 409 All-Purpose cleaner or Bar Keepers Friend. Stay away from any type of astringent cleanser, including Comet, Ajax and Scrubbing Bubbles, as well as solvents like acetone.
Is mold in the shower dangerous?
Mold in your shower can cause annoying symptoms and health problems in people who are sensitive to it. Toxic substances called mycotoxins are released by some types of mold, but mycotoxins are not that harmful when they are inhaled. They are most dangerous when they are eaten.
Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Shower Caulk
How To Remove Mold From The Showerdrain
This is by far the easiest moldremoval task in the shower.
- Remove the shower drain cover if there is one. If not, skip to step two.
- Spray the drain cover and/or the drain rim, inside, and stopper with peroxide.
- Allow it to sit for a few minutes.
- Using a toothbrush or the like, scrub all the mold you can see off the drain and components.
- Rinse well, dry, and replace the drain cover.
- Spray the drain generously with EC3 Mold Solution Spray or Remedy Mold Treatment Spray.
- Allow it to air dry.
And there you have it! Everything you need to know about black mold in the shower! Be sure to check out my post on how to prevent bathroom mold. Its important to take all the steps necessary to keep mold and mildew from sneaking up on you in the bathroom.
In this post I refer to EC3 products. They are one of the only two mold and mycotoxin removal products that I personally use and recommend. Please read my article outlining what makes EC3 superiorwhen it comes to killing mold and mycotoxins. It has been independently lab tested and proven to be 99% effective when used properly. I encourage you to purchase EC3 products directly through Micro Balance. If you prefer to shop on Amazon, Micro Balance has a presence there as well.
Is Black Mold Dangerous
In most healthy people, black mold isnt dangerous. However, if the growth is significant, amounts of black mold and its spores will be present in the air, which can have a similar effect to pollen.
People with allergies may suffer if there is too much black mold present, and it may also cause some people to cough or have difficulty breathing, especially in those with asthma.
Recommended Reading: What To Do If You Suspect Black Mold
Removing Mold From Painted Or Wallpapered Walls
For mold on painted walls, try a natural remover like white vinegar, borax and water. Youll need a spray bottle and a few other items to scrub the walls.
- Combine two tablespoons of borax with 1/4 cup white vinegar and two cups of hot water in a bowl.
- Pour into a spray bottle
- Liberally apply on painted walls.
- Scrub thoroughly and wipe clean, then spray again and let sit for 10 minutes before wiping dry.
