Mold is an icky, smelly business. No one wants mold growing in the very room where they go to get clean, but unfortunately, the bathroom is commonplace for mold to grow. Here at MoldGone, we field tons of calls from homeowners asking for help removing mold from their bathrooms. You don’t have to live with mold in your bathroom! Today we’re sharing a few mold prevention tips.

Why Does Mold Like Bathrooms?

Mold loves moisture, and bathrooms have moisture in spades. Every time you take a shower or run the sink, water flows through the pipes in your walls. If there are any cracks in the pipes or if they collect condensation, water can drip into crevices in your walls and onto floors and cupboards. Any sitting water creates an environment where mold can start growing. 

Bathrooms also tend to have higher humidity levels from hot showers and frequent use of water. Humidity causes the walls of the room to get damp and stay damp, which is why you’ll sometimes see mold growing on ceilings and walls above the shower. 

There are several types of mold that grow in bathrooms. Some molds have a brown, green, or pinkish color. Black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) resembles its name and has a very dark, almost black color. Any type of mold can make you and your family sick, so preventing mold in the bathroom is crucial to your health.

How to Prevent Mold in the Bathroom

  1. Check Your Exhaust Fan 

The exhaust fan in your bathroom plays a vital role in removing humidity and moisture from your bathroom. Check it on a regular basis to make sure it’s clean and running properly. 

  1. Wipe Away Excess Moisture 

After you shower, bathe or use the sink, take a few moments to wipe up any puddles or excess moisture. Don’t leave damp bath mats or towels lying around—hang to dry and wash them often. This will help eliminate humidity and moisture from sinking into the walls and ceiling. 

  1. Remove Wet Towels 

If you have an outside clothesline, let your damp towels dry thoroughly and soak up some sun for a few hours. The UV radiation from the sun kills mold spores, helping to ensure mold does not grow on your damp towels. 

  1. Check Your Pipes 

Take a look at the pipes under your sink and the pipes leading to the toilet to check for any small leaks or condensation build-up.

  1. Use Mold-Killing Cleaners 

When cleaning the bathroom, use a product that helps sanitize bathroom surfaces to prevent mold growth. Household bleach helps eliminate the first signs of mold on the surfaces of tiles, showers, and tubs. However, mold on porous surfaces, like wood, requires treatment by a professional. Mold roots run deep, and bleach cannot treat that far into the wood. 

Mold Prevention for the Bathroom

Although following these tips will help with mold prevention, sometimes mold still rears its ugly head. If you need assistance with removing mold from your Maricopa County home, or if you want more information on how to prevent mold in your bathroom, MoldGone is here to help! Call us at 480-418-7228 or visit moldgone.com to schedule a mold inspection.  

Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash