Even if your bathroom isn’t a luxurious spa (hey, we can dream, but most of us have ordinary bathrooms in our homes), you want for it to be comfortable. And there are few things that make you more uncomfortable in your own bathroom than the thought that mold could be developing in any of your porous surfaces. Every time you shower, wash your hands, brush your teeth, or quickly freshen up in front of the mirror, you’ll be haunted by the thought that microbial growth is taking place nearby.
That anecdote isn’t meant to scare you. It’s just meant to give you a reality check, because mold can grow anywhere there’s moisture, especially if the ventilation is poor and the air is stagnant. Unfortunately, bathrooms fall into that category.
But with a little bit of diligence, you can stave off mold growth in your bathroom and never have to deal with the grossness. On the other hand, if you are surprised to notice a spot in your bathroom where too much moisture has collected for way too long, and you now have a small moldy patch, don’t despair — it’s easy enough to DIY a treatment yourself and keep your bathroom mold-free going forward.
PREVENT mold:
Run your fan.
Every bathroom should have a good, effective ventilation fan — if yours doesn’t have one, be sure to install one. This is your single best way at keeping the air flowing and reducing moisture by drawing steamy air up and out of the room altogether. Run it any time you are showering or running a bath, and let the fan continue to run for at least a half-hour afterward. In some cases, you might find it’s more convenient to set your vent fan on a timer so that you don’t have to return to switch it off yourself.
Be conscious of how you use your shower curtain.
The best way of keeping water from dripping out of your shower (and onto the walls and baseboards, or collecting on the floor) is to be careful with your shower curtain. You should have an outer curtain as well as an inner liner. When you draw them closed, take care to keep the liner tucked inside the ledge of the shower and have the curtain stay outside (so that it doesn’t get too wet). If you have an accident where water leaks out of your shower, be sure to wipe it up — don’t leave a puddle on your bathroom floor.
Fix all leaks.
Moisture doesn’t enter your bathroom simply from the shower or tub. Sometimes it gets in because there are leaks coming from one of the pipes. Check underneath your vanity to make sure there is no water puddling up; if there is, fix the leak so that you don’t have excess amounts of water, especially in a dark place where there’s little air flow.
Wash your textiles.
Moisture can build up in fabrics, providing a great opportunity for mold spores to grow. Any soft materials in your bathrooms should get regular laundering. Wash your bath towels and hand towels every three days, your bath mat once a week, and your shower curtain once a month.
Dry out your shower items.
After you’re done showering, you dry yourself off and go about your day. But if you want to prevent excess moisture in your bathroom, take a quick minute to run your towel over any items in your shower, such as bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Hang your loofah in a place where it gets plenty of air flow. This might seem like an unnecessary step, but you’ll be amazed by how much dryer your bathroom becomes when you don’t have excess warm water hanging all over so many surfaces.
If you do spot any mold in your bathroom, it’s important to address it as soon as possible, before it gets out of hand.
CLEAN UP mold:
Use the proper cleaning solution.
Ordinary soap or mild household cleaners won’t kill mold. For best results, choose a commercial cleaner designated for mold removal. These types of cleaners can be highly toxic, so if you are opposed to using them around your house, you can choose to go with undiluted white vinegar instead. Spray the mold directly and wipe gently with a soft cloth.
Use bleach to remove mold stains.
Sometimes you are able to kill the mold, but the surface remains a dark brown color. In these situations, use bleach to restore walls, grout, tile, and caulk to their original white color. Rinse with hot water afterward.
A toothbrush helps you reach hard-to-clean places.
Some parts of your bathroom aren’t easy to reach with a regular scrub brush. Get down into those little crevices or between floor tiles with an old toothbrush (just make sure you designate that toothbrush specifically for cleaning — don’t use it to brush your teeth afterward!)
Seal the grout when you’re done cleaning it.
Because grout is porous, it’s especially susceptible to mold and mold stains. After you’ve removed the mold, you can protect the grout in the future by applying a grout sealer.