Mold in the Bathroom
It's very common for mold to be found growing in bathrooms in houses. One obvious reason why is the amount of water and humidity in a bathroom. Frequently running water from the bathroom basin, the bathtub and the shower can create pools of water and wet surfaces which can foster mold growth if not dried out quickly. Even when the water puddles and wet surfaces do dry out, the moisture evaporates into the air raising the humidity level in the bathroom. Steam from hot water in the shower or bath regularly adds to the humidity in the bathroom also.
Compounding the moisture and humidity problem is the fact that bathrooms are often not well ventilated, containing stagnant and non circulating air. This can mean that collected water and wet surfaces take much longer to dry out and that the humidity level in the bathroom stays higher than in the rest of the house.
As well as the high moisture and humidity levels, the often warm temperature of the bathroom is well suited for mold growth, as is the room's small area and the fact that it is often a dark and not well lit space. All of these factors make the bathroom one of the most ideal rooms in the house for mold growth.
Mold in Shower and Bathtub
Mold can often be found in the shower and the bathtub. Grime from body oils and soap scum which is washed off and onto the shower or tub create a food source for mold to feed on. And of course there are abundant water sources for mold created by the running water and steam.
To prevent mold growing in the shower or bathtub regularly clean both with a cleaning product of your choice. After cleaning, wipe the shower and tub dry to minimize left over moisture. You can also buy plastic inserts for the shower and bathtub to prevent mold growth. These inserts can be easily taken out and cleaned.
Mold in the Bathroom Basin
Mold can frequently be found in the bathroom sink or basin for the same reasons it grows in bathtubs and showers: soap scum and grime provide a food source for mold and the running water from the tap provides a source of moisture. Again, the basin should be cleaned regularly to prevent mold beginning to grow.
Mold in Bathroom Drains
Drains which do not drain water properly can also contribute to mold growing in bathtubs, showers or basins. Any water that doesn't drain properly and sits in the drain creates a moisture problem. Any environment like this where water is collected and stands for long periods can easily grow mold.
If there is a build up of water in the drain, ie. the water is not drained as fast as you can run the water from the tap, then there is a problem with your drain being clogged. You can buy chemical products from the supermarket to unclog your drain or call a plumber if the problem persists.
Mold on Objects in the Bathroom
Keeping a large numbers of items in the bathroom such as shampoo bottles, beauty products, old soaps can lead to mold growth, particularly if the bottles and items are frequently getting wet. Wet surfaces sitting on other wet surfaces such as bottles on the bathroom basin take longer to dry and can trap water. You should make sure items in your bathroom don't sit on surfaces which are often wet. Store the items somewhere up higher, ideally on a shelf which remains dry during showering.
Also the less items you have the less likely it is for them to cause mold growth. Minimize objects in the bathroom by using up any nearly empty shampoo bottles or other products, throwing away any empty bottles, or storing things not frequently used somewhere else. When you clean the bathroom remove all extra objects. Clean them separately before returning them to the bathroom to prevent mold growth.
Mold on Bathroom Tiles
Another place mold likes to grow is in the grout between bathroom tiles. Mold often also grows in corners of tiled sufaces, such as the corner of the shower, or in cracks and will spread along seals and joins. To remove mold from tile grout use a brush to scrub it along with a mold removing solution. Non-tiled walls can be painted with semi-gloss paint which creates a hard non-permeable surface on the walls. You can also buy mold and mildew resistant paint to use in the bathroom.
Reducing Humidity in the Bathroom
Ideally the humidity in the bathroom should be kept below 55% to prevent mold growth. You can maintain this by ventilating your bathroom well, especially after you've had a shower or bath. Turn on the bathroom fan while you shower and leave it on for about five minutes afterwards to remove the steam and dry out the air. If you don't have a bathroom fan, or as well as using the fan, open the window to let steam out and circulate the air. Besides leaving the window and door of the bathroom open after having a shower or bath, if you are concerned about the moisture levels you can also wipe down wet surfaces so they dry faster.
Turning on the Bathroom Lights
The bathroom is often poorly lit. Light discourages mold growth so frequently having the lights on can help to prevent mold.
Regular Bathroom Cleaning
Regularly cleaning the bathroom will prevent mold starting to grow. Once a month wipe down the bathroom with an anti-fungal solution. Remember to include the ceiling when you do this as it is a prime area for mold growth. The floor can be mopped with mold inhibiting solutions such as vinegar. Another good tip is to spray the bath and shower once a month with undiluted vinegar which prevents mold and deodorizes the bathroom. You don't need to rinse the vinegar away, instead let it dry on its own.
Drying Wet Surfaces in the Bathroom
Drying wet surfaces manually will reduce moisture sources as well as the humidity level of the bathroom since the water on these surfaces would otherwise evaporate into the air. After you have had a shower or bath wipe down the tiles, glass, mirror, walls, window or any other wet surfaces with a towel or squeegee. It's also a good idea to minimize the number of potential wet surfaces by removing any objects from the bathroom you don't need.
Removing Bathroom Mold
If mold has already begun to grow in your bathroom you will need to remove it using a mold killing solution. Some suggested mold killers can be found below or you can instead buy commercial mold and mildew removers:
Killing and Removing Mold
Use a sponge or cloth to clean mold off most bathroom surfaces and an old toothbrush to get into hard to reach places where mold has begun to grow. Once the mold has been removed, mold inhibiting solutions such as vinegar should be used regularly to clean the bathroom to prevent the mold's return and avoid a cycle of the mold coming back every few weeks. If mold is growing in sealer it usually should be removed then replaced. Likewise walls which you cannot seem to permanently remove the mold from may also need to be cut out and replaced as a last resort.