Are you noticing some soft black growth developing on your bathroom walls and wondering what the heckit is? It’s neither an animal nor a plant,but a fungus thatbreaks down dead materials. It does well in an environment that is warm, moist, and dark. The tubs and showers in your bathroom are their favourite habitat and make it messy. You might need to worry a little when you see this growth as black mould is known to cause health issues.
What is Mould and How Do You Identify It?
According to an article published on WebMD, mould is a type of fungus andis a small organism that is eitherblack, white, orange, green or purple in colour. Mould spores are very small and light and float in the air. This allows them to spread and be inhaled. All moulds, including the dreaded toxic black mould (found in bathrooms and other parts of your home), can feed on organic building materials if they have been exposed to the right environmental conditions i.e. moisture, warmth and darkness.
Does This Mean That Mouldis Harmful to Your Health?
In small amounts mould is usually harmless, but it can start to grow once they come in contact with a damp spot in your home. The spores they release get inhaled and if you are sensitive to mould, you could get sick. Mould can cause skin rashes and irritation of respiratory passages. If you’re allergic to it, you can experience severe symptoms like:
- Red irritated eyes
- Hives
- Asthma attacks
- Lung infections
- Coughing
Apart from being harmful to your health, mould makes everything look worse, smells bad, and is slimy. Once it has settled in your bathroom, it won’t be a walk in the park to get rid of it. The more you try to scrub it away, the more spores it produces, and the worse the situation becomes.
So what should you do?
Mould prevention is the only way to go. Follow the tips below and your bathroom mould will be a forgotten memory.
Tips to Prevent Mould in Bathroom
As we have said earlier, moulds thrive well in humid climates. A combination of the right temperature with a moist environment allows the spread of moulds, hence significant troubles are caused. To avoid the growth of mouldin your bathroom, follow the following tips:
01. Take Care of Condensation
Moulds grow mostly on surfaces that have a high amount of condensation. Here, metal pipes, windows, and concrete walls play a major role. To reduce a build-up of condensation, you need to keep the house’s humidity low and the indoor temperature high. Also, ensure that you install the appropriate insulation.
02. Ensure Proper Ventilation
To reduce humidity in your bathroom, you need to pay a lot of attention to ventilation. Here, bathroom fans do the trick. However, if your bathroom lacks these fans, get them installed and make sure to keep them on for up to 30 minutes after a shower. This ensures that all moisture has been removed from the bathroom, eliminating the need to remove mould from the shower.
03. Get Rid of Excess Water to Prevent Mould in Bathroom
Every time you take a shower,make sure that you get rid of as much water as possible. This prevents water from vaporising, which could cause moulds. A quick wipe of the sink or tub will also do the trick. Besides, clean your toilet and sinks thoroughly once a week to ensure that no excess water piles up.
04. Take Care of Mould in Grout
One of the ideal surfaces for moulds to grow on is cracked grout. Ensure that you clean them and the tiles once a week with a PH-neutral cleaner, which will stop the mould from invading and growing. Also, replace the grout once every six months. When changing the grout, be sure to seal it with a latex penetrating sealer. This will enable the grout pores to absorb it, therefore protecting it from the mould.
Although sealers are expensive, they are worth the money as they can keep your grout free from mould.
05. Keep Your Bathroom Light On and Bright
For moulds to thrive, they need two things: darkness and moisture. Pay attention to your bathroom’s dark corners to ensure that no moulds will grow. Keeping your bathroom bright protects it from moulds.
Does Washing Clothes in the Bathroom Encourage Mould Growth?
Yes, it does. Remember, mould thrives in wet rooms where water is used. Washing clothes in the bathroom provides the best condition for mould to survive. Also, the laundry basket that you store in the bathroom offers the best location for them to grow. They provide mould spores access to an abundant supply of decaying organic material to feed on and, in most cases, moisture.
What are the Best Bathroom Mould Cleaning Products?
Once mould takes a hold of your bathroom and begins to spread, you will have to work really hard to get rid of it. But does this mean that you should let it grow in your bathroom without taking any action? Absolutely not! You need to remove every trace of it no matter how challenging the process can be.
Below is a list of some of the best mould cleaning products and tips you can use. Follow the tips diligently and your bathroom will be a clean, fresh sanctuary for you and your family.
a) Use Distilled White Vinegar to Prevent Mould:
This is a non-hazardous solution used for cleaning bathroom moulds. To use it:
- Dilute the vinegar to clean the floors
- Spray it directly on the affected area
- Let it sit for about five to ten minutes
- Use a rag or sponge to wipe it away
- Scrub the mould with a bristle brush
b) Use Borax to Clean Bathroom Mould:
This is a natural way of cleaning mould in the bathroom. You need to:
- Mix a cup of borax with a gallon of warm water
- Pour the solution in a spray bottle
- Spray the solution directly on the surface you want to clean
- Use a sponge or a brush to scrub the mould stains
- Finally, mop the vinyl floors or the tiles with the remaining borax mould cleaner
c) Use Bleach as a Mould Cleaner:
If you can’t get access to the aforementioned products at the nearest market, spare yourself the headache by using bleach. It is a good option for removing mould from bathrooms. However, when using bleach, ensure that the bathroom is well-ventilated.
Conclusion
For any homeowner, moulds are a nightmare. They’re a health hazard, an eyesore, and if not taken care of in the early stages, they can spread like wildfire. However, since you now have all the information you need to fight mould, put them into practice, and your bathroom will be a safe place again.
Also, don’t forget to read following articles:
Causes and Treatments for Algae/mould Growth in Paint
9 Signs That Your Home Needs Mould Remediation
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Author Bio
Fidelis Kinai – Fidelis Muti possess a bachelor’s in English and Journalism and have over four years of professional experienced writing and proofreading materials for print and online platforms, including newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs, and social media accounts. He also have over three years of experience as a marketing assistant and social media manager.
He is versatile and diligent and will produce exemplary content within time to meet your deadline.
He can deliver most work within 2-3 days; rush orders are accepted whenever possible. He is based in the Kenya but travel often and work for clients all over the world.