Mold has been around for millions of years. Just because it’s been here as long as we have doesn’t make it any less unpleasant, though. According to the Center for Disease Control, mold can cause a bevy of health problems for people with sensitivities, including throat and eye irritation, coughing, wheezing, and even lung infections.
No one wants to be around unsightly mold. Keep it out of your home to maintain health and wellness by focusing on the place it’s most likely to develop: the bathroom. Here’s a list of tips on how to prevent bathroom mold growth in your home.
Good bathroom ventilation stops mold.
Mold needs three things to flourish: moisture, warmth and oxygen. Take away any and you’ve reduced the risk of mold forming in your bathroom.
Proper ventilation in a small room that handles a lot of moisture is a necessity. A bathroom fan prevents mold growth by removing moisture from the air and venting it outside. The air circulation also speeds water evaporation.
Run your fan whenever you shower. Turn it on before you start and let it run for half an hour after. If your bathroom doesn’t have a fan, consider installing one and open a window for ventilation.
If you have a bathroom fan, but you suspect it’s not working properly, there’s an easy way to check. Calculate the right strength of fan for your bathroom by first measuring the square footage of the room. Multiply that number by 1.1 if your ceiling is eight feet tall or 1.5 if it’s nine feet tall. That number will be the required CFM (cubic feet per minute) you’ll need for an effective bathroom fan.
Repair bathroom leaks that feed mold.
Drips and leaks are another source of moisture that cultivates mold. Repair plumbing leaks in your bathroom as soon as you notice them. If you notice mold on your bathroom ceiling or along your walls, it could be the result of an interior pipe leak.
Have a professional plumber examine your walls and determine if faulty plumbing within is causing the mold. It may be a hassle to tear out part of your wall, but it could spare you from more serious damage dangerous mold build up.
Don’t forget to wipe.
We also recommend purchasing and using a squeegee to wipe moisture away. Squeegeeing the walls inside your shower or bath after use will take moisture from areas where it’s commonly left to linger. Store your squeegee on a hook inside your shower or nearby where you’ll remember to use it.
Spray your shower walls with white vinegar after wiping them for an additional level of mold prevention. The vinegar inhibits mold from growing.
Regularly wash bathroom linens.
When you’re done using your towel after a shower or bath, don’t leave it wadded up on the floor. Instead, hang it on the shower bar where it can dry out.
Mold loves linens because not only do they absorb moisture, but they also provide dark breeding grounds when folded up. Wash and completely dry your bathroom linens weekly.
That innocent-looking rug on your bathroom floor is hiding more than you think. If you dare to look underneath, you could be surprised to find that mildew or mold are growing. In fact, bathmats and rugs made this list of the germiest places in your home!
Use a bathroom mold cleaner.
Mold doesn’t like cleanliness. Keep your bathroom clean – including your shower – by using a mold specific cleanser. This will keep those dark lines from forming on your grout and caulking. White vinegar works well too.
Let the cleaner soak on the surface for 20 minutes or so, especially if you see mold. Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the surface of your shower and then rinse and wipe.
Refresh or replace your moldy shower curtain.
How many times have you tried to ignore the fact that your shower curtain is slowly fading to a light pink color and accumulating black specks?
That’s mold.
If you ignore it, the problem is going to literally grow. Toss your shower curtain in the washing machine from time to time along with a cup of white vinegar. This will wash away any accumulation and keep your bathroom clean. When it’s time for a replacement, choose a mold resistant shower curtain.
Keep the grout fresh.
Grout lines are porous and a buffet for mold-growing bacteria. They’re also an easy place to ignore when cleaning. Not only do they need to be cleaned, but grout lines also need to be resealed at least once per year. This helps them retain their waterproofing ability and prevent the spread of mold in your bathroom.
Get Professional Plumbing Help
If you need help getting your Dallas bathroom updated to better prevent mold, you’re not alone. The team of expert technicians at Ben Franklin Plumbing can help.
We can repair leaks, tighten connections, update your ventilation, and fix your fixtures. Contact us to schedule with a plumbing technician who can upgrade your bathroom to keep mold out!