How to Treat and Stop Mold and Mildew in the Bathroom
Mold is a very common problem in most houses. If you get to it early, it is easy to cure it and prevent it from returning. Mold in the bathroom occurs mainly because it loves dark, damp places. Often a bathroom has a damp atmosphere for most of the time and that is perfect for the growth of mold. Moisture can linger in the bathroom due to a lack of effective ventilation. Leaky toilets, pinhole leaks in pipes, and leaky sinks can add to the level of moisture (See our post “Plumbing Leaks, What Is It Really Costing You?“). Certain materials can absorb and hold moisture. Rugs, wallpaper, wood and fabric will all add to the probability of mold if they get wet.
Finding the Mold
Mold isn’t always easy to find in the bathroom. It is likely to be in areas that are hidden away and don’t often get disturbed. It can be under sink basins, toilets, or around the entrance to the shower. Also, if a wall leak exists, the mold can even grow behind the drywall. The mold may even start to grow in the bathroom but go on to grow in other rooms, or even in the basement beneath the bathroom.
Preventing Mold Growth
The best way to deal with bathroom mold is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Your bathroom should have a ventilation fan and using this when you use the shower or have a bath will help to prevent mold growth. As a better defence against mold, leave the fan running for 20 minutes after you have finished bathing or showering. A dehumidifier or air conditioner can also help to keep moisture levels down.
If you have any plumbing leaks, leaky showers, or leaky sinks, make sure to get them repaired as soon as possible.
Using a shower curtain that is mildew resistant will help as well, and make sure you wash it or replace it regularly. Bottles of shower gel or shampoo and loofahs can become a place for mold to hide if they are kept in the shower. Make sure you wash any rugs from the bathroom regularly.
How Do You Get Rid of Mold?
You probably already have mold. So how can you get rid of it? If you don’t have much mold you can easily deal with the problem yourself. Mold often grows on the seal around baths and sinks. The edges of tiled areas are usually sealed too and mold will grow there. Strip the seal away and replace it. If you have caught the mold early, you may be able to clean the mold off the seal without replacing it. Thoroughly clean your bathroom with vinegar or bleach. Open all doors and windows while you clean to allow fresh air into the bathroom. This will help to reduce moisture in the room. Make sure you scrub every inch of your bathroom including those areas that are hard to get at. You need to remove all traces of the mold .If you have a bigger mold problem then you may need to get professional cleaners in. If you disturb the mold, spores can be released into the air and can get into other rooms. For bigger mold problems it is necessary to kill the mold before you remove it.
