Bathroom Mold Prevention and Removal Tips

The bathroom is one of the most common places in a home where mold can grow. The damp and usually dark conditions make it a perfect place for mold to thrive. However, if you reduce the amount of moisture in the bathroom and clean it frequently, the chances of mold growing will be greatly reduced. Here are some essential tips on how to prevent and reduce mold in the bathroom:

How to prevent mold:

• Keep the humidity levels below 55%. Since mold thrives in moist conditions, it’s important to keep humidity under control.
• Ventilate the bathroom after a shower or bath by turning on a fan or by using the bathroom exhaust fan. Opening a window also helps let steam out.
• Dry wet surfaces, such as mirror, tiles, glass and walls, using a towel or squeegee, after every shower or bath.
• Clean the bathroom on a regular basis and at least once a month, with an anti-fungal solution. Wipe the floor, clean the ceiling, and don’t forget to wash the bathroom rugs, as well.
• Spray undiluted vinegar on the bath and shower once a month to prevent mold growth and remove odors.
• Use a mold-resistant shower curtain. Remember to wash the curtain in your bathroom cleaning routine.
• Avoid keeping objects, such as shampoo bottles, toys, or mugs, in the shower. Moisture collected on these objects will provide a place for mold to grow.
• Consider removing unnecessary items from the bathroom to minimize the number of wet surfaces where mold can grow.

How to remove mold:

• To clean mold from grout, use a scrubbing brush and your favorite cleaning product or a commercial grout cleaner. Alternatively, use borax, ammonia and baking soda, which you can also use to clean tiles and drywall.
• Check for mold in hidden areas, behind pipes, under the sink and behind the toilet, under the washing machine, etc. Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning to reduce health risks.
• The bathroom drain is another place where mold can grow. To clean mold from the drain, remove the grate (if possible) and scrub off the mold in the drain pipe. You can also pour drain cleaner or another mold inhibiting product, to help kill the mold.
• If you suspect that you have mold behind walls, it’s best to call a professional mold restoration company to get rid of the infestation.

More general tips to remove mold from your home are available here and information on how to prevent mold can be found here. For professional mold, fire, and water restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.