Let’s face it, we’ve all seen that bathroom mold growing in our showers and around our sinks. Mold is a form of fungus that develops in wet, humid areas. Since our bathrooms are so humid, mold tends to increase, specifically around the caulking and grout lines in our shower. But, if you’re like most homeowners, you don’t even notice it growing until one morning you’re showering, you look down, and it hits you in the face. The growth process is slow, and you don’t recognize it until you see those black foul mold spots on your grout or caulking.
Add A Squeegee To Your Shower
While you can’t stop mold altogether, you can keep it from returning by taking a couple of extra steps after you shower. Ventilation is critical since mold grows in wet, humid environments. We tend to close our bathroom windows in the winter months while taking hot showers. Remembering to reopen the windows, this will slow the mold from growing. Adding a squeegee to your shower to quickly remove the excess water from the doors and tiles can also help. There are so many products out in the market that clean mold and stop it from growing.
Use A Full-Strength Vinegar Or Professional Cleaner
While soap and water is a tried-and-true method for the bulk of housecleaning tasks, it isn’t powerful enough to destroy mold spores. Rather, use a full-strength vinegar or a professional cleaner developed to attack mold and mildew, especially if you’re uncomfortable with manufactured cleansers.
Start by cleaning one small section at a time. Wash the infected nonporous areas off first using a cloth or sponge, then scour stubborn spots with porous surfaces using a toothbrush brush. After that, thoroughly rinse the area with hot water. For best results, start at the top and work downward. As you move downward, the filth won’t flow down into previously cleaned places.
Bleach Has A Purpose In Removing Bathroom Mold
Mold tends to stain grout lines and caulking, particularly dark or bright colored mold. Although bleach is not the ideal product destroying mold, it’s unbeatable for stain removal. First, fill a spray bottle with half bleach and half water to contaminated areas using a spray bottle. Let it stand for a few minutes, re-spray the surfaces using the bleach and water solution, then scrub away the staining with a scrub brush or toothbrush.
Finish With A Final Spray-Down
Give the area one more spray over with pure vinegar. Any mold that survived the first washing and the bleach scrub will most likely perish. Finally, allow the vinegar to air dry before it’s washed away during the next shower. (Note: NEVER MIX VINEGAR WITH BLEACH OR ANY COMMERCIAL CLEANERS THAT CONTAIN BLEACH UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!)
When the two come together, deadly chlorine gas gets created! So, thoroughly clean the work area with plain water between each step.
Noticing mold growing in the bathtub or shower may be unsettling, and if not cleaned quickly, it begins to grow. However, the upside is that you can clean most mold outbreaks without the need for any expensive professional or costly rental equipment.
Excellent Products For Removing Bathroom Mold
- Method Daily Shower Spray – This product claims you’ll never have to scrub, wipe or rinse, and it costs less than $3.
- Home Armor Mildew Stain Remover
- CLR® Bleach-Free Mold & Mildew Spray, Foaming Stain
- KRUD KUTTER MS324 Mold and Mildew Stain Remover
- Moldex 5510 Concentrate Mold Mildew Remover
These are some products that can remove mold or stop it from reappearing. The cost is just under $6. Let’s not forget about vinegar or baking soda. It will also do the trick.
Check Under Your Sink For Bathroom Mold
Bathroom mold can also gather under our sinks when even the slightest leak occurs. Most bathroom vanities have particleboard shelves, and even the slightest bit of water can cause your vanity shelf to bulge and accumulate mold. Therefore, when checking under your sinks once a month for leaks is a good practice.
Prevention Is Key To Preventing Mold
Let’s recap, ventilate the bathroom by keeping windows open. Use a shower squeegee for doors and tile after each shower. Try using a daily shower spray or vinegar, along with a mold cleaner. Finally, look under your vanity sink once a month for water leaks. If you catch a leak early, you will save your vanity, as well as the drywall, from damage.