In most homes, the bathroom is often the most humid room in the house, making it a hotspot for mold and mildew to appear as moisture accumulates. Whether you are a homeowner or renter, battling bathroom mold feels like a never-ending fight to keep the room clean, safe and healthy.
Reducing humidity in your bathroom is the first step you can take to control the growth of mold, which you can do by opening your windows or using dehumidifiers. If you are still finding it difficult to control mold and mildew growth in your bathroom, here are a few tips you can use to prevent further growth and maintain a clean and healthy bathroom.
Why is there Mold?
Before you address any mold problem you may have, the first thing you should do is identify what is causing the mold growth in your bathroom in the first place. Mold thrives in dark and warm conditions, so controlling the temperature and humidity is key to keeping your bathroom clean.
Some common reasons why mold starts growing could be lingering moisture caused by a lack of good ventilation, leaky pipes and toilets that seep into the plasterboard and wood, or damp cellulose materials such as grout, plaster and fabric that make ideal breeding grounds for mold.
Wash Rugs and Towels Often
Your bathroom mat, rug, towels and shower curtains make perfect places for mold and mildew to grow if left damp or unwashed for long periods and are often the reason why bathrooms have mold problems. One easy way you can prevent further mold from growing is just by washing your towels, rugs and shower curtains often. If you do that, you will have a much cleaner and healthier bathroom without too much effort!
Get a Good Exhaust Fan
The exhaust fan is an essential part of any bathroom that sucks moisture out of the air and sends it outside. It is one of the most effective ways of dehumidifying your bathroom, preventing moisture from accumulating and allowing mold to grow out of control. There are many different kinds of exhaust fans, so be sure to check for the correct size and strength—if you think a more powerful one is necessary.
You can check the ideal exhaust fan strength for your bathroom by multiplying the square footage by 1.1 for an 8-foot ceiling or 1.5 for a 9-foot ceiling. Be sure to leave it on for at least 30 mins after you finish showering, as turning it on just while you are showing is not enough to properly ventilate your shower room.
Fix Any Leaks
Moisture accumulation can happen anywhere you see a leak or drip, creating a breeding ground for mold. If you find any leaks or dripping water anywhere around your bathroom, fix it sooner rather than later. Waiting will only give time for mold to take hold, becoming far harder to get rid of and fix.
Dry Your Shower Items
Items like sponges, loofahs, and product bottles could be a breeding ground for mold if left in the shower and kept in a damp state. Water can also accumulate underneath them, so consider removing them when you finish showering to dry them out and keep your bathroom dry.
Clean Regularly
Keeping your bathroom clean of bacteria, limescale and mold can be a challenge. That is why you need to clean and dry your bathroom regularly to prevent any of it from getting out of control. Consider using mold-killing bathroom cleaners to defend your home from mold growth and prevent them from growing in the first place.
Hire with Confidence
Flamingo Plumbing & Backflow is a plumbing company founded in 1992 that serves the residents of South Florida with quality plumbing services. If you are experiencing any plumbing issues, contact us today to schedule an appointment with a technician.