Mold in the bathroom: how to prevent it and how to get rid of it?

The bathroom is a room that mold particularly likes. It tends to accumulate in tile joints, corners, under the bathtub, near pipes, and along the edge of the bathtub where it meets the wall. However, this should come as no surprise, as this room in the house has all the conditions that are most favorable for mold to accumulate: heat and humidity, and in some cases, poor bathroom ventilation further improves these conditions.

However, mold in the bathroom is not just an aesthetic problem—it is also harmful to our health and our wallet, so if you discover this “lodger,” it is worth taking care of mold removal as soon as possible.

How does mold develop?

Simply put, mold is a colony of microorganisms. That colony can grow from a single spore that enters your home through the air. And that spore can settle anywhere it finds food.

You might ask, what do those spores eat? In this case, they don’t have high demands and like a lot of things: from paper and wallpaper on the walls to clothes, your favorite bread, or tiles in the bathroom.

What’s even more interesting is that mold spores are constantly floating around us, but for them to take root and start growing, several conditions must be met:

• Certain temperatures;
• High humidity in the room;
• Low light;
• Heavily damp surfaces.

The bathroom usually meets all these conditions perfectly.

Humidity in the bathroom: why does it accumulate and how can it be reduced?

We often bathe in the bathroom, so it is not surprising that there is more moisture here than in other rooms in the house. There is also steam, which does not always dissipate after bathing.

The accumulation of moisture is also influenced by the fact that bathrooms usually do not have windows or vents, so ventilation is poorer. That is why the humidity level in this room is almost always higher than normal, which creates favorable conditions for mold to accumulate in the bathroom.

To combat excess moisture in the bathroom, it would be advisable to:

• Ensure effective ventilation (e.g., install a window or fan);
• Use a dehumidifier;
• Leave the bathroom door open more often so that the moisture and steam that has accumulated there can dissipate and not stagnate. Of course, leaving the bathroom door open during the day may not look very nice, but leave it open at night—in the evening, after all family members have taken a shower, there is a lot of moisture in the bathroom, and the room will dry out significantly overnight.
• Dry surfaces after using the shower or bath.

These are a few simple tips that are easy to implement and will be very beneficial.

Damage caused by mold

Often, if the mold is small, it is ignored, as it does not significantly affect the appearance. However, it is forgotten that mold is not only an aesthetic problem—it also harms our health and property.

Mold can cause or exacerbate respiratory diseases. It can also cause allergies and, in some cases, even chronic asthma.

Mold in the bathroom or other areas of the home can seriously damage the structure and finish of the home, destroying ceilings, floors, walls, furniture, clothing, and other items in the home. If mold spreads to several rooms in your home, it is important to know how to properly organize mold removal throughout your home. Often, when mold has spread significantly, repairs are necessary, which can be quite costly.

Mold removal in the bathroom: what measures are effective?

When you notice the first signs of mold in your bathroom, don’t delay—the sooner you tackle the problem, the quicker and easier it will be to solve. Here are the main ways to get rid of mold.

Folk remedies for mold available at home

Sometimes, simple folk remedies that most people have at home, such as baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide, can help combat mold that has not yet spread.

• Mix baking soda with water and spray the mold-affected areas with this liquid. Scrub them with a sponge, then spray again and leave to dry. Another option is to use more baking soda and less water to make a thick paste, which you can apply to the mold-affected areas in the bathroom: walls, ceilings, tile joints, or sealant.
• Vinegar is also effective for removing mold in the bathroom. Spray the solution on the mold-affected areas, leave for an hour, then wipe off.
• Hydrogen peroxide is particularly suitable for cleaning mold from tiles and tile joints. A 3% concentration of peroxide is suitable – spray it on the walls and tiles, leave it for ten minutes, and then scrub thoroughly. Then rinse and dry the cleaned surface.

Special cleaners

You can find a number of special products designed specifically for removing mold in the bathroom. They contain substances that mold cannot tolerate and, in many cases, can help to deal with the problem very effectively.

However, it is important to use these products strictly according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer or seller. When choosing such cleaners, pay attention to the surfaces they are intended for so that you do not damage them.

Eliminate the conditions for mold growth

In order to achieve long-term results in the fight against mold, it is very important to eliminate the causes that led to its formation and prevent conditions favorable for mold from recurring. Simply reducing humidity is not enough. To prevent mold from returning to the bathroom, other conditions that favor its growth must also be eliminated:

• Regularly clean risky areas – tile joints, corners, sealants;
• Periodically check pipes for condensation buildup and ensure that taps are not dripping;
• Regularly clean high-risk areas – tile joints, sealants, corners;
• Always dry surfaces after cleaning or bathing;
• Periodically use preventive measures against mold (e.g., natural or special sprays).

These habits help to avoid not only aesthetic defects, but also recurring mold in the bathroom.

When should you seek professional help?

If the mold in your bathroom has not affected a large area and is not deeply ingrained, the methods mentioned above may help. However, if the affected area is larger than one square meter, if the mold is deeply ingrained, or if you manage to get rid of it but the problem returns after a while, then call in the mold extermination experts.

There is no mold that professionals cannot overcome – they will test the mold and select the most effective methods to eliminate the mold that has settled in your bathroom.