How To Prevent Mold In Showers And Bathrooms
The best way to get rid of mold is to prevent it from being able to form. Follow these practices to limit mold from growing in your shower.
- Turn on an exhaust fan or open a window when showering.
- Keep humidifiers at 50% or less.
- Clean your bathroom often with mold-killing products.
- Fix leaks, drips and other sources of moisture.
- Change air filters frequently.
- Dont leave wet towels or laundry on floor.
- Spray vinegar on shower walls regularly to prevent mold growth.
The Right Way To Remove Mold In The Shower
by Holly | All Natural Living in the Home, Spring Cleaning + Organization
One thing I get asked about a lot is how to get rid of mold in the shower. Should I use bleach to remove the mold? What is safe to use? Is there an all-natural method to remove mold? How do I keep the mold from coming back? All of the answers are right here.
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Mold is not only ugly, but it can be the catalyst to some pretty serious health issues. Detoxing from complications from mold can be a long and difficult process. The bathroom is one of those places where mold seems to be in abundant supply. Mold growth isnt about cleanliness. It doesnt matter how often you clean your bathroom. It forms when the eco-system in your bathroom is both humid and not properly ventilated.
We teach about the health effects of mold in the Mystery Symptom Master Class:
How To Get Rid Of Pink Bacteria In Shower
Despite “pink shower mold” not being the most hazardous microbe out there, it is still in your best interest to remove it as soon as you see buildup beginning to form.
Spraying a diluted solution of bleach will kill the bacteria and lighten the pink stain. However, to provide a longer-lasting effect, the area will need to be scrubbed down. This gets rid of the underlying minerals and soap scum that the bacteria love to feed on.
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More Drastic Measures For Treating Mildew
If mildew still persists even after youve treated your bathrooms surfaces repeatedly with white vinegar and baking soda, its time to take more drastic measures to eradicate the mildew. You can start by putting some hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle, spraying the remaining mildew and scrubbing the treated area.
When hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar are combined, the results can be toxic. For this reason, its critical to exercise extreme caution and avoid combining these things or using the same spray bottle to treat mildew with white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
If hydrogen peroxide isnt enough to rid your bathroom of persistent mildew, you can treat the affected areas with a solution of bleach and water. This solution should be 75 percent water and 25 percent bleach. Just like you shouldnt combine hydrogen peroxide with white vinegar, avoid combining bleach with other cleaning agents. Youll also want to put on protective gloves before you treat the mildew in your bathroom with your bleach/water solution.
Mildew is generally pretty easy to treat. If you have any tips for treating mildew with common household items, we encourage you to share them in the comments section below!
How To Keep Black Mold In Your Bathroom Away
Once youve gotten rid of the mold, youve got to keep it away with regular maintenance. Regularly spraying vinegar on bathroom surfaces and letting it air dry kills mold spores and prevents growth. Make sure theres proper ventilation in the bathroom and install an exhaust fan if you dont have one. If you can, wipe down the shower with a cloth or squeegee after showering. Clean the bathroom weekly using your preferred cleaner and use an antifungal cleaner once a month.
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Where Does Pink Mold Grow
The bathroom is the perfect place to find Serratia marcescens because it thrives in moist environments. It needs dampness, mineral deposits, and warm temperatures to grow.
Inside of the bathroom, you are most likely to notice pink residue in the shower which is why it is often referred to as “pink shower mold”.
The shower is the perfect place for these bacteria to grow as they can feed on the mineral deposits left behind by soap scum and the fatty deposits in personal hygiene product residue.
“Pink shower mold” is most likely to spread when there is excess moisture in the air, allowing the bacteria to become airborne and travel.
“Pink Mold” on shower curtain liner
Health Effects Of Mold Growth
Molds dont just make your shower visually annoying they can have adverse effects on your health as well.
Modern bathroom areas are constructed with materials without cellulose so that it less likely to have toxic mold in your shower, but common black mold can still be harmful.
People with asthma, allergies, sensitivities, or weak immune systems often experience symptoms like rashes, skin irritation, sneezing, yeast infection, itchy eyes and difficulty in breathing.
These reasons and the simple fact that they are nasty are enough to get rid of molds in your shower caulk, and we are happy to show you how.
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What Exactly Is That Pink Mold In My Shower
The pink mold you may find in your shower actually isnt mold, but a very common strain of airborne bacteria thats found throughout the world. The bacteria, Serratia marcescens, cause that pink or even red slime you might find in your shower, toilet bowl, or around other water fixtures. The bacteria are abundant in nature, so it is commonly found in water and dirt. Because its airborne, Serratia marcescens also can be transferred into your home relatively easily even through an open window or door.
The bacteria start to produce a pink pigment when the growing conditions are just right. Places such as the bathroom can be ideal growing environments for Serratia marcescens because the bacteria thrive in a wet area with fatty particles to feed on, which is exactly what substances such as soap and shampoo provide.
To Remove Black Mold From Hard Surfaces Follow These Steps:
If youd rather not use bleach, white vinegar or baking soda are good natural substitutes that kill black mold. Vinegar can be used just like the bleach.
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Remove Mold From Shower Head
Shower heads inevitably build up with mineral deposits and sometimes mold. If youre wondering how to clean all those small nozzle holes, heres a trick.
Put a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water in a plastic bag. Place the bag over your shower head and seal it shut with rubber bands. Let your shower soak in the solution overnight. The next morning your shower head will be like-new and, best of all, mold free.
Where To Look For Bathroom Mold
The main problem with bathroom mold is that it can appear almost anywhere from caulk to towels. Bathroom is perfect for mold growth due to a constant high level of humidity.
If you want to check your bathroom for signs of mold, then you should pay attention to these places:
- Caulk, grout, and tiles
- Towels and bathroom robes
- Shower curtains and mats
Of course, if you are not sure whether or not you have mold in your bathroom , you can always rely on professionals to do all the necessary checks. Furthermore, they will provide insights into how to keep your bathroom mold-free. In case you already have bathroom mold, they will deal with it effectively to prevent it from coming back.
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Use A Bleach Solution
If you dont manage to eliminate bathroom mold by using vinegar or borax, you can try using non-natural alternatives, such as bleach. Keep in mind, you should use bleach only as a last resort. Unlike borax and vinegar, bleach can release toxic fumes, so one should handle it with great care.
Bleach is really effective at removing black mold from non-porous surfaces, so it will more than likely solve your problem, but make sure to keep your bathroom well-ventilated while you are using it.
When handling bleach, its best to wear PVC gloves and a respirator mask. Wearing goggles is also a good idea. If you are exposed to bleach, it can cause skin, lung, and eye irritations.
Grab a spray bottle and add 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Unless you have kids or pets who might touch the treated area, you dont need to rinse the solution afterward.
How To Remove Bathroom Mould From Walls
Whether painted or wallpapered, removing mould from bathroom walls take a little more care than with tiles obviously, it is best to avoid scrubbing paint and wallpaper with a brush!
Try using the more natural removers like white vinegar or borax but dilute it a little more than you would when cleaning tiles.
A few different methods can be used to effectively remove mould from walls.
Soap and water is a good place to start, and simply using a sponge or cloth to scrub the area lightly will likely make a difference.
If this fails, one part bleach to nine parts water with a little washing up liquid could get the job done. Be sure to test it in a less conspicuous part of the wall first, if possible.
Try not to get papered walls too wet, as they can bubble up, so be sure to dry the area completely after cleaning.
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Clean Up And Remediation
Unless the problem is very small, mold problems in the shower wall should be addressed by a certified mold professional. The following are steps an experienced mold contractor will follow:
- Setup containment.
- Remove shower surround.
- Remove tile backer board if present.
- If necessary, remove tub or shower pan.
- Clean underlying framing and flooring.
- If dry rot is present, remove and replace damaged framing.
- Address plumbing problem.
How To Remove Bathroom Mold
This article was co-authored by Ilya Ornatov. Ilya Ornatov is the Founder and Owner of NW Maids, a cleaning service in Seattle, Washington. Ilya founded NW Maids in 2014, with an emphasis on upfront pricing, easy online booking, and thorough cleaning services.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 37 testimonials and 99% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 2,116,903 times.
Do you want to rid your bathroom of mold and make it a more friendly environment for you and other people to use when needed the most? This article will help you get rid of that nasty mold and have a better bathroom experience!
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How To Keep Your Bathroom And Shower Silicone Mold
- Keep It Dry
Dry off your bathroom surfaces and especially your shower silicone lines to prevent mold from forming. Using a sponge or squeegee wipe down the surfaces, then be sure to dry off the lines and corners of the shower to ensure there is no moisture.
Its a simple motto really: without moisture, mold wont take hold.
- Remove Deposits
Hard water leaves calcium and mineral deposits on your bathroom surfaces that are an ideal substrate for mold to grow in, so remove these. Luckily, the above vinegar and water spray is great at removing these too, so double whammy!
Additionally, you can install a water filter to help remove the chemicals from your bathroom water, helping you keep things hygienic and fresh, which is better for your skin too.
- Dehumidify and Ventilate
Be sure to use a bathroom dehumidifier or exhaust fan to help freshen air quality and prevent surfaces from being moist. Airflow helps dry things out, and this helps with keeping your shower sparkly clean too.
After you have showered, get into the habit of opening a window, switching on a fan, or leaving the bathroom door open if you dont have a dehumidifier. Fix leaking taps as these can also keep introducing water to your shower, no matter how slight the drip is. Even a fine water spray will soon see black mold spreading up your shower walls and silicone.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In Shower Grout
Taking a shower is usually the first thing most of us do every morning when we wake up. It is also mostly the last thing we do before we get to bed every night. Research has shown that, taking shower every day is good for our health.
The high temperatures inside the enclosed steam shower room encourage bacteria growth. Before you notice it, theres mold all over the shower. If left unchecked, the mold gets deep into the grout and removing it will require more than just soap and water.
The big question remains, how do you get rid of mold in shower grout? This is exactly what Im going to show you.
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Get The Air Circulating
If your bathroom has a window, leave it open or cracked as often as you can to allow air to circulate through the space. Youll also want to use an exhaust fan to keep air moving and your bathroom dry when you shower or bathe.
Leave your ventilation fan on for at least 30 minutes after you shower or take a bath, too. If you dont have an exhaust fan in your restroom, consider getting one installed.
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.
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Is Pink Mold Harmful
A pink mold is an air mold filled with substances. Typically, pink mold is not as harmful to you as black mold or other fungi, but there are instances of bladder infections and intestinal disorders with rare cases, for example. Your pink bathroom mold should definitely be removed from it, along with steps to keep it from happening again.
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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.
How To Remove Mold From Shower Curtains
Shower curtains made from plastic or PEVA often stay damp for long periods of time and thus, mold loves to grow there.
Luckily, it is reasonably easy to get rid of:
Method 1: Baking Soda + Vinegar
If you find that you still have some mold on your shower curtain, then you can try again. Because the curtain is made of plastic and blocks water, it may simply have been because the solution did not really get on to all parts of the curtain.
If you have tried this method a couple of times , then move on to the bleach method.
Read More: Read our guide on non-toxic shower curtains.
Method 2: Bleach
You may need to do this twice to make sure the curtain is fully clean.
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