Mold is a problem for many households. It grows in damp dark places, a description that fits many showers, bathtubs, or entire bathrooms. Don’t panic though. Mold is one of the easiest household problems to have, but it’s also one of the easiest to solve. Here is some information about how to prevent mold and how to remove mold if you find some.
What Causes Mold?
Molds are fungi that are very commonly found in bathrooms, because bathrooms are wet. Constant moisture in the air is what leads to mold growth. Water in your bathroom evaporates into the air, increasing overall moisture and leaving all your surfaces hanging out in a warm damp place, aka mold paradise.
Prevent Moisture to Prevent Mold
Put an end to lingering moisture to prevent mold. Ventilate your bathroom. Keep a window open while you shower to draw out the moisture from the room. If there’s no window, turn on your bathroom fan while showering or bathing. No moisture, no mold.
How to Remove Mold
So you did get a little mold colony on the ceiling. How to get rid of it? Well, it depends on the material. A bleach solution will work well, but only if the mold is growing on a non-porous surface. The chlorine in bleach cannot penetrate absorbent surfaces like wood or drywall. This means when bleach is used on porous materials the effective ingredient won’t touch the “roots” of the mold, but the water in the solution will, giving it more moisture, which we know is not a good thing. (The same thing goes for ammonia. Great, but only for non-porous materials.)
If your mold is growing on a porous surface, you can use borax or vinegar.
Clean Regularly
Cleaning your bathroom regularly will prevent mold. Clean once a week, or decide on a frequency based on how often your bathroom is being used. Cleaning your bathroom may seem like a big, exhausting task, but all it really takes to keep mold away are a few quick wipe-downs and ventilation.
Keep Those Surfaces Dry!
If you haven’t guessed, this is by far the most important part of mold prevention. After your shower or bath, use a dry towel to wipe down mirrors, tiles, walls, windows, etc..
Bathroom Tiles, Bathtubs, Showers
Grime and soap suds get washed off and fall onto the bathtub or shower walls creating a restaurant for mold. Prevent mold from growing in your shower with a regular cleaning schedule using any of your favorite cleaning products.
If you do get mold in your shower or on your tiles, remove mold by wiping with a damp cloth. Bleach is magnificent for killing mold here. To get rid of mold stains, scrub with bleach and water using a brush or toothbrush.
Black Mold
Black mold is a toxic mold. It can cause severe allergic reactions, cold-like symptoms, and weaken your immune system if not taken care of. When removing toxic mold always wear gloves, clothing that can be disposed of, eye protection, and a mask. Keep a window open or your bathroom fan on. Use any of the products discussed above and completely clean the affected area using a scrub brush. Some items may need to be disposed of if mold has taken over that item. Vacuum the area after cleaning and throw away any utensils used to clean the mold. We strongly recommend you hire a professional mold removal service to remove the mold from your home.
Mold can be dangerous and needs to be taken seriously. Practice these cleaning tips to prevent mold from growing. Weekly cleanings for your bathroom are necessary to ensure your bathroom stays mold-free. Call your local house cleaning service to help you keep your bathroom clean and mold-free, and call in a professional specialist to remove mold if you ever find it in your home.