One of the most common problems in any home is bathroom mold. While that may sound gross, and you may be thinking you don’t have that problem, you may not be looking deep enough. And if you live in a humid climate, the issue becomes more challenging to control if you don’t stay on top of it.
What are the common causes of bathroom mold?
If you have mold in your bathroom, it may be because of a leaky toilet, sink, or pipe, or just moisture caused by a lack of ventilation in your bathroom. Damp materials may also cause mold, such as rugs, wallpaper, grout, fabric (curtains), drywall, paper products, and more.
How can you keep mold out of your bathroom?
Take the following proactive steps to keep mold out of your bathroom:
- Use the fan in your bathroom when you bathe or shower, and then leave it on for approximately 30 minutes after you’re done.
- Hang a mildew-resistant shower curtain and liner – wash frequently and replace them when needed.
- Wash your bathroom rugs and bathmats often.
- Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep your household humidity levels low (below 50% is ideal).
- Clean the shower and tub often, especially around bottles of shampoo or body wash, as they provide places for mold to grow and hide. Clean and allow bath toys, loofahs, and scrubs to dry well after each use.
If mold is already a problem, what can you do?
Here are a few things you can do to keep mold in “check” when in your bathroom:
- Clean your bathroom regularly with mold-killing products, such as bleach, vinegar, or even hydrogen peroxide.
- Open your windows while you are cleaning to bring in the fresh air as a way to dry out mold.
Replace any caulking that has extensive mold growth – or consider stripping it down and cleaning with bleach or other strong cleaners.
