How to Remove and Prevent Mold in Bathroom?

If you’ve discovered some mold (the dark ugly marks) on your bathroom walls and ceilings, and want to get rid of it, this article is for you. It will show you helpful ways to control and prevent mold in bathroom in the future.

Mold is a type of fungi that’s commonly found in households. It’s also one of the easiest problems to cure and prevent. Just don’t let the situation get out of control. 

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Since black mold loves damp, dark, isolated spaces — your tile grout, caulk, or wallpapered walls are at maximum risk. Therefore, you need to carefully check out areas under the bathroom sink, behind the shower doors and bath fixtures, around exhaust fans, even in crawl spaces and basements underneath bathrooms.

Unfortunately, mold is not only unsightly but it’s also extremely unhealthy. It’s a dangerous problem that needs to be addressed as soon as you spot it. Mold can cause health problems such as severe coughing, skin and eye irritation, breathing problems, and sometimes serious lung infections. 

Read more: Buying a home with mold in the attic

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Common causes of mold in the bathroom

A bathroom is one place that’s prone to mold and mildew due to the high moisture content. The stagnant water in showers, the nooks between tiles, and the deep, damp corners of the bathroom spur rapid mold growth. 

Here are some common causes of mold and mildew:

• Improper ventilation in the bathroom
• Absence of bathroom exhaust fans
• Lingering moisture 
• Leaky toilet, faucet, bathtub, shower, sink, or plumbing pipes
• Damp rugs, wood, wallpaper, grout, and drywall
• Clogged or slow drains
• Shower doors and shower liners

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Steps to get rid of mold in bathroom

If your mold infestation isn’t large, you can tackle the problem yourself and take certain remedial measures. These include:

• Stripping away and replacing all the caulking or sealant that has the mold problem.
• Cleaning your bathroom thoroughly with natural mold-killing products such as bleach, baking soda, white vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide through a spray bottle. You can add a drop or two of essential oils to lessen the smell of these products.
• Opening up your bathroom windows and doors regularly to let in fresh air that helps dry out the mold.

However, if the area with mold growth is bigger than 10 square feet, or has a strong musty odor, or where the water damage is extensive — it’s best to hire a licensed professional. In such a case, removing mold concentrations may contaminate the rest of the house. Plus, you don’t want to risk breathing in high concentrations of mold spores and VOCs.

FYI: Always refer to guidelines laid down by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Read more: Why I can vent my bathroom into the attic?

Steps to prevent mold growth

The best defense against mold infestation is preventing the mold to grow in the first place. Here are some steps you can take to prevent mold and mildew in your bathroom:

• Repair any leaks at the earliest
• Ensure good ventilation in bathrooms and attic
• Leave your exhaust fans on for at least 30 minutes after showering or bathing 
• Keep the basement and crawl spaces dry
• Route water away from the foundation of your house
• Keep your household humidity levels below 50% with an air conditioner or dehumidifier 
• Get a mildew-resistant shower curtain, and wash it frequently
• Keep your bathroom rugs clean and dry
• Avoid keeping bottles of shampoo, shower gel, or loofahs in the shower

Can Adding a Bathroom to a House Increase Its Value? Let’s find out!

Written by Ramona Sinha. February 10, 2020

Ramona is a content writer for Kukun. This experienced blogger uses simple and succinct words to decipher the complex phenomenon called life. An avid traveler, she’s a digital nomad at heart and an animal lover from the depths of her soul.