How To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Bathroom

Removing Mold From Household Appliances

Appliances like washers, refrigerators, and coffee makers that combine moisture, heat, or food to feed mold need frequent cleaning.

Clean washers by running a hot water cycle with chlorine bleach at least monthly. Inspect every nook and cranny of front-load washer door seals to be sure no mold is growing that can leave clothes smelling moldy.

Distilled white vinegar helps inhibit mold growth and does a great job cleaning refrigerators and coffee makers.

How To Clean Bathroom Mold And Mildew With White Vinegar

Related Articles

• How to Seal a Fiberglass Shower Pan to a Tile Wall

Mold, and its early-stage counterpart, mildew, are forms of fungi that grow in damp areas and replicate quickly. Mold and mildew can cause allergies and respiratory conditions, and sometimes more serious health problems that affect the nervous system. Therefore, you need to get rid of mold and mildew quickly. Bathroom surfaces, particularly tile around the tub and shower, tend to be mold and mildew incubators because of the heat and moisture that accumulate there. But you can usually remove the unwanted substances easily using white vinegar in combination with baking soda as a scouring agent.

Things You Will Need

• Scouring pad or microfiber cloth

• Stiff bristle toothbrush

• Water

Tip

Warning

References

Is Mold In Your Bathroom Making You Sick

For the most part, mold is harmless to a healthy person but some mold can make you sick and cause health issues, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems or allergies to mold.

80 of the 1.5 million known species of mold are classified as allergenic, but if you are prone to allergies the chance of mold making you sick increases significantly. Allergic reactions to mold may include flu-like symptoms, coughing, mood changes, skin rashes, sinusitis, respiratory issues, dizziness, or fungal infections of the lungs.

Chances are, the mold in your bathroom is not negatively impacting your health but that doesnt mean you should simply let it be.

Also Check: Ozone Machine To Kill Mold

Option : Use Commercial Mold Removal Products

Store-bought cleaners can really come in handy when youre looking to get rid of mold in a bathroom.

Youll need:

• Distilled white vinegar
• Bleach spray

Ventilation is important. For your own safety, you may want to wear a mask and rubber gloves, run the bathroom fan, and/or open a window during this process.

Start by applying a liberal coating of antifungal spray to the affected area. Make sure its a designated antifungal spray and not just a standard shower or bathroom spray, since the former has specific properties that are intended to address mold spores.

Follow the directions on the bottle, which may require that you leave the spray on for a set period of time prior to removal. When its time to remove, use a toothbrush or sponge to scrub the mold away.

Next youll want to clean the area with a bleach spray to remove lingering stains and help prevent future spores from proliferating. Let the bleach sit for 5-10 minutes and then once again take a toothbrush or sponge and scrub the area.

The last step is to apply distilled white vinegar to the area, which has additional antifungal properties. Fully ventilate your bathroom after youre done, and be sure to dry up any lingering moisture.

Mold Cleaning Trick #: Baking Soda And Bleach

Its important to note that bleach does not kill mold, it simply removes the stain created by mold. Vinegar, as mentioned above, is a great way to kill mold. Start with the vinegar method and then move onto this method for the best results.

• Mix 1 tsp liquid soap and 1 cup baking soda. Add several drops of an essential oil, such as lavender, peppermint, citrus, etc.) and then add enough hot water to create a paste.

• Next, in a separate bowl combine 1 part bleach with 2 parts water. Add mixture to a spray bottle.

• Use the bleach solution to spray the affected areas in your bathroom. Let it sit and dry.

• After the solution dries, respray the area with your bleach solution and this time get in there with a scrub brush.

• Rinse the wall, and if you still see mold, go at it again repeating until the mold vanishes.

• In some cases, grout or caulking must be replaced.

Don’t Miss: Clean Mold Off Ceiling Bathroom

In The Bathroom Ceiling

• Pre-wash black mold on the bathroom ceiling with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent.
• Spray the moldy ceiling with an anti-fungal solution, and sponge it into corners as needed.
• Let the solution dry for half an hour before cleaning and rinsing with fresh water.

Power Tip: Always wear wrap-around goggles when youre cleaning mold off a ceiling.

How To Clean Mold Off Leather

Leather might be a luxury product, but its extremely susceptible to mold growth. However if you discover mold on your recliner or favorite boots, all is not lost. Heres how to clean the mold and stop it from coming back.

Youll need:

Soapy water or leather cleaner

Soft cloth

Method:

Step 1: Place the leather somewhere warm and allow it to dry completely. This will make removing mold easier.

Step 2: Using a damp cloth, wipe down the leather to remove the mold.

Step 3: Clean the leather using a leather cleaner or a mild soap such as baby shampoo.

Step 4: Carry out regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent mold returning.

Mold can quickly take hold of leather products and cause a lot of damage, from discoloration to reducing the leathers lifespan. Adding to the problem, you cannot use detergents or bleach on leather, as they will also cause damage. Therefore treating leather items regularly with specialized cleaners and keeping them dry is the best defence against mold growth.

Pro Tip: If you dont have a leather cleaner on hand, alcohol might help. Surprisingly, alcohol does kill mold and its particularly effective on leather. However, always spot-check any cleaner before you use it!

Recommended Reading: Cleaning Mildew From Bathroom Ceiling

Causes Of Mold Growth On Your Shower Caulk

Mold spores are spread by air, and they can stay alive despite extreme conditions. Like any other organism, molds need food to grow. In this case, anything containing organic material can be food, but molds prefer cellulose above all else. They can form on paper, wood, particleboard, or drywall because of their cellulose content.

Apart from food, molds spread faster in the presence of moisture, oxygen, heat, high humidity, and low light. The reason black mold grows on your shower caulk is that your caulk often retains water and soap scum, which contains cellulose. If left untended for a few weeks, black mold will begin to germinate, especially in a warm dark bathroom.

Leaks, humidifiers, condensation, wet clothes, and lack of maintenance are common causes of serious mold growths.

How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Shower Caulking

I wrote a whole post about removing black mold from shower caulking, though my bleach method has been critiqued for not actually doing more than removing the stain and color of the mold. And the mold did come back 6-9 months later.

You can see my video tutorial about how I did it though:

This is because bleach is no longer considered to be the best way to remove mold. It is only effective if the mold is on a non-porous material like tile, bathtubs, glass, and countertops. It doesnt reach the mold growing underneath the surface. Also, bleach can damage the materials it is used on as its a harsh, corrosive chemical. The fumes are strong and harsh and it must be handled with gloves.

But, it does do a great job at removing the mold stains, but the mold isnt truly killed.

You can instead use vinegar, baking soda, ammonia, oxygen bleach, borax or hydrogen peroxide.

I, however, have not been able to find many tutorials on how to use these products specifically for cleaning moldy caulking in bathrooms, so if anyone has tried using them, with success, Id love to know! I tried making a paste of water and OxiClean and slathered it onto the moldy caulking, but it did absolutely nothing. It dried out shortly after application and didnt remove the mold or the stains at all.

You May Like: Get Rid Of Black Mold In Basement

Remove Black Mold In Bathroom Sink Drain

Black mold can also be found in bathroom sink drain. If you notice small patches in black, dark green or gray colors in the sink drain or drain pipe, mold removal steps should be done immediately.

To remove black mold in the drain, you can scrub it using a brush or a piece of cloth. Rub all parts in the structure thoroughly, including the grate that is possible to be infected by black mold as well.

If you have difficulty in reaching small parts of the drain, you can take it apart for a while and fix it back after the cleaning is done.

To optimize your cleaning, you can use some additional mold-killing agents such as vinegar, bleach, and fungicide that can help you get rid of black mold in the bathroom drain.

Five Ways To Wipe Out The Mold In Your Bathroom

Even if you keep a lot of these things in mind, the possibility of mold growth is high. Some kinds of mold are highly toxic and damaging to our health.

Its for this reason that you should take immediate action to remove it. Continue reading for our simple and quick tricks on how to get rid of the mold in your bathroom.

Read Also: Diy Basement Mold Removal

Tips To Get Rid Of Mold In Shower Caulk

Molds are the most repulsive elements you can see in a bathroom. Mold spores can be found all around the house, but they thrive and multiply in a warm and moist environment, like your shower.

If they are fed and unchecked, they can spread quickly, and your once clean and spotless bathroom can be covered in black mold. They stick to the grout, and before long, they begin to grow behind it.

In this guide, were going to show you how to get rid of black mold in your shower caulk, and not just that, well let you know why they are there, and how to prevent future growth.

Remove Black Mold On Bathroom Ceiling

Black mold can also be found on the bathroom ceiling, especially if the ceiling has been leaking for a long time. Removal ways of black mold on the ceiling are quite similar to those that you can do for the bathroom wall.

You can use the solution of detergent or a special chemical substance like fungicide.

When you need to remove black mold on the bathroom ceiling, it is important to find the safe place to reach the mold location.

Remove the ceiling paint using paint scrapper before you clean the ceiling with a chemical substance. Dont forget to wear protective equipment such as a mask, safety goggles, and rubber gloves.

Don’t Miss: How To Remove Mold From Leather Bag

How To Get Rid Of Mold From Your Bathroom

If theres one thing that none of us can escape, its the dreaded mold that grows around our house. The most common place to find mold is in the bathroom, but why is it that this room seems to attract so much of it and what can we do to prevent it?

Mold is a completely natural process and something that happens in most homes. Although it can be annoying and disgusting to find, there are some easy ways to stop it from getting out of control and things you can do to remove it.

Our bathrooms are one of the most treasured spaces in our home and somewhere we come to relax and get clean, so the last thing we want to see is mold on bathroom ceiling or living in our tub. With a little bit of know-how and a commitment to getting rid of it, you can ensure that mold stops ruining your favorite room of the house.

Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Mold In Your Bathroom

Ditch the bleach and use these natural remedies to remove mold from your home.

Along with looking unappealing, bathroom mold on your walls is also unhealthy and unsafe. Studies have shown that mold in the home is linked to upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, and wheezing in healthy people and worsening symptoms for those who have asthma. While it can be hazardous to your health, there are some natural remedies for it. Heres our list of 6 natural ways to clean mold off walls.

Also Check: How To Get Mold Off Of Bathroom Ceiling

Removing Mold From Bathtub

Soap scum, grime, bacteria and dead skin cells are often gathered at the bottom of a bathtub. This creates the optimal conditions for mold to grow since its provided with an abundance of nutrients and moisture.

But bathing in a moldy bathtub isnt ideal, so were here to remove it. For the bathtub, we like to use borax because you can leave it in the tub until the next time you use it.

1. Apply

Apply the borax and water solution using a spray bottle. Make sure youre covering all the mold pay close attention to the edges where the wall meets the tub. The drain might also have a significant amount of mold.

Allow the borax to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Scrub

Because were working on a bathtub, we need to be careful not to scratch the surface. Avoid using stiff brushes or other abrasive tools such as steel wool. We recommend opting for a soft-bristled brush or a two-sided sponge.

3. Rinse

If theres a lot of mold, rinse the area after scrubbing. Consider reapplying the borax solution and leaving it in the tub until it dries. This will help to kill any leftover mold or spores.

Black Mold In Shower Health Risks

Thankfully, due to the way bathrooms and showers are constructed today, the black mold you see in your shower is less likely to be the really bad stuff the toxic mold or deadly mold known as Stachybotrys chartarum. This is because your shower areas and surfaces dont have cellulose which is required for the really bad type of mold to grow. Tile, ceramics, and cement-fiber backer board all make Stachybotrys less likely to grow.

But, it doesnt mean the black mold you see in your shower issafe for you either!

You can request some laboratory testing for it, but it isnt really that necessary and it can be very expensive.

Many people experience no physical symptoms from being exposed to black mold in showers, but those who have asthma, weakened immune systems, or sensitivities or allergies to mold can experience some physical symptoms from the exposure. These include things like:

• sneezing
• depression

Even if you dont show symptoms now, repeated and prolonged exposure can lead to a mold sensitivity over time and affect your health.

For many people though, simply the sight of mold in their shower makes them annoyed! It isnt pretty to see and it isnt healthy.

Anytime you encounter a mold growing in your home, it is best practice to just get rid of it as soon as possible.

Just be aware that mold damages what it grows on, so the sooner you attack the mold the better!

So lets get rid of it!

Don’t Miss: How To Get Mold Off Of Ceiling

Tips To Get Rid Of Black Mold In The Bathroom

You can expect to see black mold in your bathrooms when you dont have a bathroom window, or the ventilation is not appropriate. In such a case, the level of humidity is high, and you will face the excess water, as well. In most modern bathrooms, there is usually no fear of the occurrence of a hazardous type of mold since they need surfaces with cellulose to develop.

However, there is a rare possibility for spores to infiltrate inside the shower and use it as a breeding ground. In such a case, it is crucial to protect your health by cleaning it regularly. Try to get rid of black mold in the bathroom and always protect yourself properly by using protective gloves and a mask.

Removing Mold From Tile And Grout

Bathroom humidity and body soil on surfaces create the perfect environment for mold growth. There are plenty of commercial cleaners that you can buy, but chlorine bleach and water are just as effective and much less expensive.

Simply mix one part bleach to 16 parts water and apply to the mold-affected areas. Allow the solution to remain on the moldy area for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing or retreating. Rinse with water and wipe dry, keeping windows open until fully dry.

Recommended Reading: Kill Mold In Basement

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.