How To Prevent And Get Rid Of Mould In The Bathroom

How To Prevent And Get Rid Of Mould In The Bathroom
5 Min Read

Mould loves bathrooms because they offer perfect conditions for their growth. High humidity and poor ventilation also offer favourable conditions for the proliferation of mould. 

Bathrooms are naturally wet, damp, and dark at times. Mould can grow virtually anywhere – on walls, in baths, showers, carpets, wallpaper, grout, wood, sinks, and toilets. No place inside your bathroom is safe.

In a predominantly mouldy Britain, most people are unaware of the potential dangers of mould. According to the National Health Service (NHS), mould can affect the immune system and cause allergies, asthma, or respiratory infections.

If left unchecked, moulds produce allergens. Babies, children, and older people are especially susceptible to these allergens. Hence, they are more at risk of developing respiratory problems when exposed to damp and mould.

The downside of mould exposure is that it can result in long-term effects in some people. Health issues can persist even after the mould has been cleared or people have moved to a new home.

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What Causes Mould in the Bathroom?

The most common causes of bathroom mould are lingering moisture caused by lack of ventilation, leaky toilets, sinks, and plumbing pipes, as well as damp cellulose materials.

The high moisture content and heat in the bathroom environment can increase humidity. When coupled with inadequate ventilation, these undesirable conditions will hasten the growth of mould spores.

The leading cause of mould in the bathroom is excessive condensation. Condensation occurs when hot and damp air comes in contact with cold surfaces, such as mirrors, walls, or windows. 

An effective solution to minimise condensation in your bathroom is to leave the windows open or turn on the exhaust fan when you take a shower or hot bath.

Damp spots can also cause mould. For instance, when the grout in between shower tiles is damaged, it deteriorates and absorbs water over time. If the damaged grout is not cleaned thoroughly or replenished, it can result in mould growth.

Find the Mould in Your Bathroom

While some indications of a mould problem – green, brown, or black spots – can be obvious, others are more subtle. Some obvious signs of mould in your bathroom are wall discolouration, crumbling plaster, and peeling wallpaper.

If you can smell mould but can’t see it, check out hidden areas such as under sinks, toilets and baths, behind doors, in shower fixtures and screens, crawlspaces, exhaust fans, shower curtains, etc.

Mould can start unseen in the bathroom and then spread to other rooms. Mould is better prevented than treated as it can become a big problem if it starts to spread.

What Products Can Be Used as Bathroom Mould Removers?

Mould not only ruins the appearance of your bathroom but also causes a terrible odour. However, the good news is that even severe cases of mould can be eliminated easily.

Some common household products that can be used as mould removers include vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, and alcohol. Although these products are safe to use, it’s best to wear a breathing mask, goggles, and protective gloves when using them to minimise exposure to mould spores.

1. Vinegar

Vinegar is an effective, non-toxic mould cleaner. Despite its strong odour, vinegar is harmless. It’s affordable and available in most grocery stores.

Undiluted vinegar at full strength performs best on mould. Transfer white vinegar into a clean spray bottle and spray it straight onto the mould. Let it stand for one hour. 

Rinse thoroughly, scrubbing with a cleaning brush on surfaces such as walls, floor, and grout. Or, wipe clean with a microfiber cloth in case of tiles and worktops.

Mould-affected clothes and shower curtains can be soaked in a solution of white vinegar and water in equal proportion. Leave them overnight and rinse them the following day.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a renowned natural remedy for mould removal. It’s an effective solution for both porous and nonporous surfaces.

Add a quarter teaspoon of baking soda to two cups of water. Pour this solution into a clean spray bottle and spray on the mould-affected areas. Rinse thoroughly and wipe clean. (If the mould infestation is severe, let the solution stand for a few hours or overnight before cleaning it.)

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another eco-friendly cleaning solution to remove stubborn mould growth. Spray 3 percent hydrogen peroxide directly on the mould-affected surfaces. 

The solution will cause the mould to bubble and fizz. Allow it to stand for 15 minutes. Wipe clean with a damp cloth, and dry the clean surface by wiping with a microfiber cloth or paper towel.

Repeat the process if you still see signs of mould stains.

4. Bleach

Bleach is definitely the most powerful cleaning solution to get rid of mould in the bathroom. It can quickly clear the most stubborn mould infestation in just one use. The problem with bleach is since it gives off toxic fumes, you need to use it with extreme caution.

Spray on the affected areas and leave for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly and wipe with a wet sponge or clean damp cloth. 

While bleach is safe to use on rubber, plastic, and metal surfaces, avoid using it on aluminium, varnished, or painted surfaces. Colour change may occur if used on fabrics, wood, and paper.

5. Alcohol

Only certain types of alcohol can eliminate mould. Rubbing alcohol (also known as Denatured alcohol or Isopropyl alcohol) has a high alcohol content and works effectively against mould.

Spray rubbing alcohol on mould-affected surfaces and allow it to stand for 15–30 minutes. (You can let it stand for a few hours if the mould growth is stubborn.) 

Since alcohol is a flammable substance, you’ll need to rinse the surface thoroughly with water and wipe the area dry with a clean towel.

How to Prevent Mould in Your Bathroom?

  1. Use a ventilation fan in your bathroom while you shower or bathe and leave it on for 30 minutes following the end of your bath. If you don’t have one, purchase one immediately or leave windows open frequently after showers or baths until you can install one
  2. Keep humidity low by using air conditioning or dehumidifiers. They are best kept below 50% of their performance potential
  3. Use a mildew-resistant shower curtain or install a shower screen or enclosure. Clean it frequently
  4. Wash your bathroom rugs frequently. Hang up damp towels and bathroom rugs in dry ventilated areas
  5. Clean and dry your bathroom more often, don’t skimp on the places you can’t see
  6. After your shower or bath, wipe off excess water from the glass surfaces of the shower enclosure with an old towel, or use a squeegee so it doesn't get to sink in
  7. Stretch out the shower curtain to its full length and allow it to dry thoroughly
  8. Clean curtains and rugs with sanitising products instead of perfumed bleach
  9. Use gloss paint where possible, as this creates a harder surface and mitigates the growth of mould

How to Get Rid of Mould In The Bathroom?

  1. Strip away and replace any grout or sealant that has mould growth
  2. Clean your bathroom with mould-killing products such as bleach, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. Don’t mix these products, as the mixture can be toxic and cause chemical reactions. Soap and water will not kill the mould
  3. Open doors and windows while cleaning to provide fresh air and to help dry out the mould
  4. Wear protective gloves and coverings while cleaning. Do not allow products to have contact with the skin
  5. Use anti-mould sprays with caution. Keep areas well-ventilated, and do not allow children in the bathroom while cleaning
  6. The best policy is to kill the mould and remove it, as the spores could keep bringing it back

If the mould is creeping onto the walls, you need to call a professional as this could be a long-term problem. If you live in rented accommodation, make sure to inform your landlord or letting agency to address structural issues with the property.

Bathroom City is one of the nation’s largest bathroom showroom outlets based in Birmingham, UK. You can count on our complete solutions for all your bathroom needs. Visit our Tyseley Bathroom Showroom or online store to purchase a new bathroom or renovate an existing one.

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