Mould can become a serious problem in the bathroom when it’s not wiped up. There are many factors that lead to mould and bacteria growth, including humidity, humidity, water damage, poor ventilation, and poor drainage. This is why it’s important to be organised. If you’re prone to getting mould in your bathroom then you should keep these handy tips in mind whilst cleaning your bathroom.
What can cause mould to grow in the bathroom?
The most common causes of mould in the bathroom are humidity and poor ventilation.
If you live in a humid country, or your house has poor ventilation, then it’s likely that you will get mould. This is because there will be high moisture levels all over the place. When homes experience a lack of ventilation, they are the most likely to develop mould issues, unfortunately this then can become a reoccurring issue if not cleaned and removed instantly.
It’s also worth considering how well your drainage system is working. Bad drainage can cause clogged pipes and blocked drains, which leads to a lack of airflow through the bathroom. This means that more moisture is trapped inside your home, leading to an increase in humidity levels and an increase in the likelihood of mould growth.
Additionally, if there is water damage or leaking anywhere in your home, then this can lead to mould growth too.
Mould is known to stick to most bathroom surfaces from walls closest to pipes and leaks, to shower curtains and even shower heads
What are the health risks of mould?
Moulds have a number of health risks, none of which terribly fatal, however they can cause some uncomfortable side effects if not removed from your home.
Exposure to black mould or mould infestations can lead to an allergic reaction, skin irritations, skin rashes and other health issues.
Most illnesses caused by exposure to mould spores should reduce on their own, however, some natural remedies to help improve asthma has been found to be helpful in combating mould exposure.
Exposure to mould can seem to last a few weeks, however it is not a long-term illness and should not be seen as a serious health hazard.
How to prevent mould from growing in your bathroom
First, ensure that your bathroom is clean and dry. If you have black stains, mildew or mould on the ceiling, walls or tiles, then use a bleach solution based cleaner to clean it off. However, in some circumstances you make require the help of a professional for heavy duty cleaning solutions, afterwards you may continue with natural cleaner or regular cleaning to keep on top of the black mould issues.
Second, keep your bathroom well ventilated. One way to do this is by avoiding drafts from external doors or windows. You can also install exhaust fans in the bathroom to direct air from the fan to the floor.
Third, make sure that you have good drainage in your shower and sink areas. This will help prevent water damage and mould growth in your bathroom. You can also keep your toilet area dry and free of water by using a specially designed toilet protector with an overflow drain plug.
Fourth, don’t leave towels lying on floors or near windows for long periods of time as this may lead to moisture damage and mould growth in this area too.
Ultimately, to prevent mould you need to ensure that your bathroom has proper ventilation, especially during periods of high humidity build up such as shower time or bath time. Once you have improved ventilation you can focus on keeping your bathroom dry after each use. A great way to do this is to install waterproof or water resistant bathroom décor, such as Wall Panels, Shower Panels & plastic containers for shampoo bottles & conditioner.
How to get rid of mould in the bathroom
Mould can be removed from the bathroom using a range of different cleaning products, including bleach and chlorine-based cleaners. These should be diluted with water before being used on the surfaces affected by mould. The solution should also be left on the area for around 10 minutes to allow it to work properly.
As with ever cleaning hack on the internet, some sources report that white vinegar and vinegar solution can help with mould, simply create a white vinegar and baking soda combination in a spray bottle, use this with warm water, rubber gloves and a cloth to remove the existing bathroom mould.
There are other ways that mould can be removed from the bathroom too, such as using a vacuum cleaner, washing cloths and towels in hot water, or investing in an anti-fungal spray, however these are all internet tales, our favourite tried and trusted method is using ammonia with bleach or heavy duty bleach solution mixed with warm water and a damp cloth.
Prevention of mould growth.
To prevent mould growth you should make sure there is a good ventilation system in your home and that the humidity isn’t too high. To do this, it’s important to use your bathroom fan regularly and to keep thea bathroom as dry as possible. Keeping a hygrometer in your bathroom will also help you check if the humidity is too high. You could also invest in a dehumidifier to keep the humidity at an optimal level.
Humid conditions are easy to monitor once you know what your looking for, try picking up a small pack of dehumidifier pots, these are simple and very cheap and sit on your bathroom windows collecting excess moisture, this is also a great way to monitor your airborne moisture levels, as once a dehumidifier is full you will be able to change and replace.
