How To Clean Toilet Tank Mold
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. For more information, please visit our Disclaimer Page.
If you find that you are struggling to get your toilet clean of mold, rust, other substances, and are still greeted with a foul odor after scrubbing the bathroom to a shine, then your work may not be done. You shouldnt put yourself down for missing a spot because this is one that always gets overlooked: the toilet tank.
Its lid traps any bacterial contaminants, dirt, and mineral accumulation out of your sight until you are forced to lift it up to prevent the toilet from running or look for any parts that need to be repaired. These less-than-ideal conditions can also result in your toilets metal components corroding and staining the bowl.
Lets take a look at how to clean your toilet tank of mold and how to keep it mold-free for longer. So read on to find out how to clean toilet tank mold.
Dont Miss: How To Clean Mold From Wood Studs
What Causes Mold In Toilet Tank
It is important to remember that no type of mold grows without an underlying reason. There is always something that is fostering the growth of these deadly beings around your home. This is why experts tell us to always identify the core reason behind the presence of mold colonies on any surface. When it comes to mold inside toilet tank, the reasons mainly revolve around the frequency of flushing, quality of water, and contaminants inside the water.
Bear in mind that not flushing the toilet after every use tends to invite bacteria over. This eventually turns into deadly fungus over time. The molds in the toilet tank are dangerous to the extent that they end up contaminating the indoor air quality of the entire bathroom. This is why you should treat it at the earliest. Otherwise, you may get to see your health coming under their spell. Also, you should be extra cautious if you already fall sick more than an average human being.
Another reason is the use of hard water in toilet tanks. Hard water consists of minerals which leave a harsh impact on everything they come in contact with. Above all, excessive moisture is generally the primary reason behind the growth of black mold in the toilet tank. Usually, most of us do not wipe off the wet surface as soon as possible which eventually backfires in the worst possible way.
What Causes Toilet Mold
Mold is a fungus that grows where theres moisture. A good temperature and a food source are helpful, but the moisture is the real problem. All homes have spores floating around in the air, but homes with excess humidity are more likely to develop a fungal problem.
There are many possible reasons for the appearance of mold in your toilet tank or bowl. If youve been gone for awhile, the stagnant water can breed the mildew, particularly if human waste has sat along with it, after only three days. Think about your bathroom. The toilet, the sink, the shower: all of those produce moisture, so having mildew problem is very common. The very presence of your water is likely to attract spores. If theyre let sit for long periods of time, problems erupt.
Act Now and Remove Mold from your HomeCall a Professional Mold Remediation Specialist or Get Up to 4 Quotes Now.
If you have mold in a toilet or anywhere else in your home, its important that you remove it following the proper safety procedures. You should also have a professional come in to identify the source of the moisture so it can be eliminated to reduce the likelihood of future problems.
Read Also: How To Clean Mold Off Stone Patio
Keep On Reading To Find Out How To Get Rid Of Black Streaks In Toilet:
- Method 1 bleach
Pour one cup of bleach into the toilet bowl. Stir it around using the toilet brush, scrubbing away the black lines inside the bowl. Wash the entire surface of the bowl.
Let the bleach rest for 10 minutes. The waiting time is necessary in order to entirely eliminate the black mold and the stains. Flush the toilet once or twice until no residue is left.
Warning: First of all, never mix bleach with ammonia. The chemical reaction between the two substances generates dangerous, potentially lethal fumes.
Secondly, make sure you dont lose warranty of your toilet bowl due to using bleach. Some manufacturers clearly indicate you should not use chlorine to clean their product. Check the instructions before using bleach.
- Method 2 vinegar and baking soda
If you dont want to use bleach and prefer a homemade solution, you can try vinegar and baking soda. Sprinkle 1 cup of backing soda into the toilet, followed by 1 cup of vinegar.
Dont use large quantities of vinegar and baking soda as the solution could overflow the toilet.
Let the mixture work for 30 minutes.
Lift the lid and scrub the toilet bowl with a toilet brush. The scrubbing process should be easy after the ingredients have broken the residue apart.
Flush the toilet until the bowl is clean.
Repeat every week.
Best Way To Remove Mold From Your Toilet Bowl
The best method for removing black mold from the bowl is using bleach removers. First, flush the toilet and pour a cup of bleach into the bowl when the water begins to return. Next, using a scrubber, begin to scrub around the toilet bowl and edges of the seat. Continue scrubbing, re-dipping the brush in the bleach water when needed, until it is gone. Allow for that to settle in the bowl for 30 minutes or so. Finally, using a clean sponge or cloth, wipe down the lid and edges of the toilet to fully remove the bleach. Flush the toilet a few times to flush the bleach solution.
You May Like: How To Clean Mold From A Leather Jacket
Stop Mold From Growing In Toilet Tank
Note: The links below are to Amazon. When you click through and purchase a product I receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you. The money I receive goes to helping me keep this blog live and filled with helpful DIY information. Thanks for your support!
While cleaning your toilet is a necessary part of life, there are several hacks that can help eliminate a few of the common causes of mold.
Before you do anything, clean your bowl like usual. I try to avoid chemicals as much as I can so I like to use natural cleaners, like Lemi Shine or this one.
Be sure to thoroughly flush the cleaner out of the toilet since you dont want it to react with the next product.
Next, check to see if there is black mold in the toilet tank, the area behind the toilet bowl. If you notice mold in there you will need to treat it first since that is probably what is causing your chronic moldy toilet.
Ive had a few friends tell me theyve had success using Lime-A-Way Toilet Bowl Cleaner to your toilet tank in order to eliminate any mold buildup within the hidden recesses of your toilet. This way every time you flush a little Lime-A-Away is sent swirling through your toilet bowl to keep black mold from growing in the toilet. But keep in mind, it is a toxic chemical product and should be used as a last result to stop moldy toilets.
If you dont see any mold buildup in the toilet tank, try using a Fluidmaster automatic toilet bowl cleaner. Its made for the toilet tank .
Natural Solutions For Toilet Mold
The best natural solution for getting rid of mold from your toilet is to use white vinegar. You likely have it sitting in your cupboards or pantry.
White vinegar is great for many applications, such as cleaning various things in the house, and vinegar is the liquid-equivalent to duct tape when it comes to fixing things around the house. Its also my go-to when cleaning out my Keurig reservoir.
If white vinegar isnt doing the trick, another thing you can try is a magic eraser. If you havent used a magic eraser yet, they are about to become your new BFF. They can remove almost anything from any place. Id say its magic, but thats probably implied with the product name, right?
If you still have issues, you can check out these homemade toilet cleaners to help get tough stains out. They involve vinegar, borax, lemon, and baking soda.
Read Also: How To Clean Mold From Leather
How To Remove Black Mold Around The Toilet Base
Mold forming around the toilet base indicates a leak problem that will most probably require the services of a professional plumber. What needs to be established, however, is the source of the leak.
First, if the leak is coming from underneath the tank or from the water inlet valve behind the toilet. If any of these are the sources, then follow the five steps below.
On the other hand, if the leak is coming from the actual base, then you will have to call a plumber who will remove the entire base and replace the toilet flange, wax ring and seal. It may sound like a big job, but for an experienced plumber, its relatively quick and easy. Your primary concern should be that the water around the base isnt clean water from the pipes instead, its contaminated sewage water. I would suggest you turn the water off at the inlet valve, flush the toilet and call a plumber. Do not turn the water back on or use the toilet again until someone has come to replace the wax ring and seal.
If you are fairly confident that neither the base, inlet valve, or tank is leaking, then it might be possible that the water is coming from a nearby washbasin or shower/bath. Perhaps water gets splashed regularly and lands around the toilet base, and no one dries the floor around it afterward. If this is the case, then follow steps 2 to 4 below.
What you will need: Undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle, a small bucket with warm soapy water and a brush.
4: Dry the base and floor area thoroughly.
What Causes Black Sediment In Toilet Bowl
The black sediments in the toilet bowl are black rings that are formed due to mineral deposits from hard water. The minerals accumulate and when they form in the bowl, they may appear black, grey, or brown in color.
Whats causing it?
Hard water deposits: the inlet at the bottom of the toilet bowl builds up with sediments when water flows from the toilet tank to it over time. The inlet jets water into the outlet pipe to create a siphon.
The black is mildew from wet mineral deposits caused by years of hard water use in the toilet. In addition, if you do not flush your toilet thoroughly enough, black sediment will accumulate in the bowl, resulting in overflow.
Mold and mildew: Your toilet is a moist environment that creates a breeding ground for fungi. Since water deposits build up under the toilet rim, colonies can begin breeding within 24 to 48 hours. You will notice rings or black debris inside the toilet bowl as they grow.
Hair dye products: When the products are not used properly, they cause black sediment to form in the toilet bowl. When washed away, their components decompose into particles that, if not cleaned, can leave permanent stains in the bowl.
Sewer organisms: The organisms are living things, but they cannot be seen with the naked eye. They feed off the waste in drain pipes and sewer systems. They can pass through the toilet trap and into the bowl during the hot and humid seasons.
Also Check: Best Way To Clean Mold Off Ceiling
What Causes Black Mold In Toilet Bowl
Mold spores thrive in dark, damp places so its only natural to find mold in your toilet. However, some toilets can become moldier than others depending on your water or if you have calcium deposits built up in your toilet.
Ive even heard that if your body has higher glucose levels from diabetes, your excrement can cause additional toilet mold!
Final Thoughts On How To Remove Black Mold From A Toilet
Although black mold in your toilet might be an alarming discovery at first, its actually relatively simple to remove it. With just a few products you already have on hand and some elbow grease, you can get rid of it in less than one hour.
Then, by being mindful of what caused it in the first place and investing in some preventative tablets, you can stop the black mold from returning. This will help keep you and your family healthy and your bathroom mold-free moving forward.
Don’t Miss: How To Mold Leather Holster
Dont Want To Use Chemicals Heres How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Your Bathroom Naturally
If synthetic chemicals arent an option for your family or pets, you can use effective natural methods to get rid of bathroom mold. Hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and baking soda are three nontoxic products that can remove mold in shower areas effectively. Hydrogen peroxide is naturally antifungal and antibacterial, which makes it perfect for treating mold. Baking soda also kills mold and absorbs moisture that facilitates mold growth.
Mix one part hydrogen peroxide and another part water into a water bottle and spray the solution onto the mold. Or, mix one tablespoon of baking soda into a spray bottle of water. Spray either of these solutions and let it sit for a few minutes, then gently scrub away the stain and rinse it with water. To prevent future mold growth, spray the area with undiluted vinegar and let it air dry. Vinegar is a powerful natural acid that can kill over 80% of mold spores.
Note: Although vinegar, peroxide, and baking soda are effective at mold removal and prevention separately, dont mix them all together because this creates a bubbly mess thats potentially toxic.
How To Remove Black Mold/ Spots In Toilet Bowl
In the bowl, black stains are usually found under the rim, below the waterline or at the base/bottom.
Mold forming at the water line can be an indication that you rarely use the toilet, your tank is infested with the mold and its time for a thorough clean up.
When mold grows below the water line and more around the base of the toilet bowl, it could mean you have a broken water seal that needs immediate attention from the plumber. The broken seal means the area is experiencing a leak underneath or from the water inlet.
A leak then means a damp area and a conducive environment for the growth and development of mold. The plumber will need to replace the wax ring to stop the leak then you can clean the area off the mold and thats all.
Following are the steps to clean mold in the bowl
You May Like: How To Get Mold Out Of Leather
Mold Vs Manganese Black Spots In A Toilet Bowl
Mold spores are always present in our homes. They however thrive in dark, warm and damp surfaces like the toilet bowl or even inside the toilet tank. Apart from black, mold can also be green, grey, orange, purple, pink or even even red.
To prevent mold from growing in your toilet bowl or other fixtures, clean them regularly using baking soda and vinegar. The vinegar penetrates through surfaces thereby killing their roots.
Since molds need oxygen to grow, they will be found above the toilet bowls waterline where there is an ample supply of air. Constant flushing of the toilet supplies them with the moisture they need to thrive.
If you live in an area with hard water, it will be manifested in your fixtures like toilets, tubs and sinks. The minerals found in hard water in large concentrations are iron, manganese and calcium.
Iron forms reddish brown spots in a toilet bowl and in most causes a red a ring around the waterline called a toilet ring. Calcium forms a whitish or creamy accumulation in the bowl.
The best way to get rid of hard water stains in toilets and other fixtures is by installing a water softener. A water soften removes the hard water minerals before the water enters your house, which also prevents clogging of pipes and appliances.
Another option for removing manganese from water before it stains your toilets and other fixtures is by installing an iron filter. This is because manganese and iron are almost chemically identical hence the same removal process.
Ways To Treat Toilet Tank Mold
- Written byDoityourself Staff on Jan 22, 2010To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience.Reviewed by Jason Pelmont on May 25, 2021
Toilet tank mold can be a real problem. While a negligible amount of mold spores are likely floating around the air in every home, the mold that can grow inside your toilet tank or bowl is particularly bad. The wet and dark environment is the perfect place for more aggressive and dangerous forms of mold to cultivate.
Black Mold
There are a couple of different types of black mold. Some varieties only exist on porous surfaces, so they will not be found on the smooth surfaces of a porcelain toilet.
One variety of black mold is very common in households. It is the mold you see in the edges of your tub or in your toilet. Bleach will temporarily rid your toilet of this black mold. The trouble is, it keeps coming back. That is because the spores that help to create this type of mold live everywhere and can reproduce easily in a dark, damp, closed toilet system.
Typically, this mold is not dangerous if kept under control. However, it is not good if you or a family member experiences mold allergies, as there are additional mold spores that are created by this substance.
Orange Mold
This mold is not harmful unless you’re particularly susceptible due to a specific medical condition, like an allergy.
You May Like: Mold On Cutting Board
