News Flash: Every home has a little mold!
It’s actually inevitable, unless you live in a plastic bubble.
However, when mold gets out of control, it can cause potential health problems for you, your family or your pets.
And, one of the worst areas in the home for mold growth because of continuous high humidity is your bathroom. Bathroom mold is almost impossible to get rid of, no matter how much you clean.
However, controlling dampness is the key to preventing bathroom mold and mildew.
Take these 7 steps to eliminate the moisture that causes bathroom mold growth:
• First, after every bath or shower, squeegee water off the shower walls.
That eliminates at least three quarters of the moisture that grows mold and mildew.
• Second, run your bathroom fan during your bath or shower.
And then keep it running for at least 10 – 20 minutes after every shower or bath. You can install a timer switch to make this step automatic.
(NOTE: If your fan isn’t clearing out most of the moisture in your bathroom after five or 10 minutes, it might not be moving enough air. Think about replacing it! It’s worth the cost by preventing future mold growth.)
• Third, if you have tile, seal the grout lines every year with a grout sealer to waterproof them.
• Fourth, re-caulk your tub and shower lines when you notice the caulk begin to crumble or fall apart.
Do this as soon as possible. If you don’t, water will seep behind the tiles, wick up the drywall and grow mold.
• Fifth, dry wet surfaces.
If water pools on your bathroom counters or floors, be sure to wipe them off before you leave the bathroom. Linoleum flooring is somewhat porous. Water seeps through it and makes your sub floor wet and causes it to swell. Linoleum also has cellulose backing and mold loves cellulose.
• Sixth, say no to carpet!
There’s no way to keep it dry once it gets soaked. Use throw rugs or bath mats instead. That way you can dry them after each use. And, you can wash them as needed.
• Seventh, use washable shower curtains.
Wash them weekly in a bleach and baking soda solution.
So, you already have mold or mildew in your bathroom and you want to remove it? Try to avoid using bleach products!
To get rid of any current mold in a small area, scrub with detergent, water and white vinegar solution. Then dry the surfaces completely.