Bathroom Mold: Causes and Prevention

Mold and mildew are common problems in many a home bathroom in Oakville and Mississauga. In a space such as the bathroom where you have a constant use of water, as well as a buildup of steam, such problems are almost inevitable. There are a few things that can really encourage mold and mildew to fester, however, as well as ways to quickly get rid of them.

How Do Mold and Mildew Grow?

Before we get started, let’s take a moment for a little science lesson. In order to best understand why bathroom mold forms in the places it commonly does, it’s helpful to know how it grows. In order to survive, bathroom mold and mildew needs a combination of moisture, as well as some sort of a food source. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense that one of the most common places we see mold in our bathroom is on shower curtains, in the shower, and on the ceiling. These are places where the mold can find ample moisture, as well as food in the form of dirt and oils that haven’t been cleaned off.

Then—How Do I Get Rid of It?

First, don a pair of gloves because pretty much any method you use to remove bathroom mold and mildew is going to be rough on your hands. There are a variety of products available on the market that are labeled as being specifically for the removal of mold and mildew. Lots of people in the Oakville/Mississauga area like to make their own home cleaners, though, and if this appeals to you, here’s a quick recipe and instructions for do-it-yourself mold remover:

Remove the bulk of the mold by scrubbing it with hot water and a paste of baking soda.
Mix 2 parts water with 1 part bleach and spray the moldy area with the solution. Allow it to dry.
Apply more of the water/bleach solution and scrub the moldy area with a brush.
Rinse the area with clean, warm water.

Bathroom Mold Prevention Tips

Sometimes, bathroom mold is caused by things such as a shower curtain that needs to be washed (many of them can be tossed in the washing machine on the cold/gentle cycle and then hung to dry). Bath mats and other bathroom items should also be cleaned frequently so as to deprive mold of a food source. Other mold issues are caused by faulty construction or the need for repairs in a bathroom. Improper ventilation is a big cause of moisture buildup in bathrooms. Ideally, when you shower, you should be able to turn on the bathroom fan and vent the moisture outside. Make sure your bathroom fan is functioning properly so that it can do its job.

Another cause of bathroom mold and mildew is leaky pipes or fixtures. If you keep noticing mold in certain areas, check to ensure that all surrounding fixtures are secure and that they aren’t seeping or dripping. At best, such a leak will be a bit of a headache and only cause a small puddle and a bit of mold. At worst, it can cause extensive water damage or far-reaching mold that can pose a health risk to you and any family members who are allergic to it.

If you have a continuing problem with mold and can’t seem to remedy it yourself, contact the team at Kitchen and Bath. They’ll schedule a free in-home consultation, visiting your Oakville/Mississauga house to get to the bottom of your mold problem and resolve it once and for all.

Bathroom Mold: Causes and Prevention

Additional Articles about Bathroom Renovataions: