Ask anyone who tries to stay on top of bathroom cleaning — a big nemesis of every spotless shower installation is mold. Because it thrives in dark, damp conditions, mold loves wet spaces in the bathroom. That’s why practicing proper mold prevention is key. If you can understand and stop the growth of mold before it occurs, you can save yourself a lot of headaches and hassle in your regular bathroom upkeep. With that in mind, here’s a look at what you need to know.

Main Causes of Mold in the Bathroom

As great as it is to take daily showers or baths and use hot, running water, the downside of these pleasures is humidity. Humidity, especially without proper bathroom ventilation, creates a breeding ground for mold growth. That perpetually moist environment provides ideal conditions for mold to thrive.

How Mold Affects the Body

Bathroom mold is more than unsightly. When you have mold around your bathtub installation, you have regular exposure to a hazardous material that can harm your health. Mold may contribute to allergic reactions, fungal infections, poisoning, and other health issues. While finding and treating mold is important, preventing its buildup in the first place is even better — it protects you and your household from potential health risks.

Signs You Have Mold

Most of the time, spotting mold isn’t difficult. You’ll see or smell it creeping into nooks and crannies of the bath or shower — or the bathroom in general. If mold is not readily visible, it’s important to know where and how to look for it. Check hidden areas behind pipes, under the sink, around drains, and even shower walls or curtains. Sometimes it will even show up on the moist bottoms of shampoo bottles and other bath or shower items.

What to Do If You Have Mold

When dealing with mold, always wear gloves and a mask if possible. Open windows and doors in the bathroom area to help with ventilation. Using a brush and a strong cleaning solution, scrub and clean the problem areas. Some possible cleaning solutions include undiluted vinegar; a mix of borax, ammonia, and baking soda; a mixture of detergent and water; or a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water.

Preventing Future Mold Growth

Short of never using water in the bathroom again, there are many ways to prevent mold growth at home. Follow these tips to keep your bathroom clean:

• Install and/or use a fan. Every time you shower or bathe, use the exhaust fan to help with ventilation. If possible, open a window or door as well. Keep the fan running for at least 30 minutes after use to help the space dry.
• Squeegee walls after every shower use. Removing excess water helps reduce moisture buildup and limits mold and mildew growth.
• Swap shower curtains often. Use a mildew-resistant shower curtain and replace or thoroughly clean and dry it regularly.
• Minimize “stuff.” Reducing the number of toiletries and items in your shower or tub limits places where moisture can collect and mold can grow.

The good news about dealing with bathroom mold is that there are effective ways to prevent or eliminate it. Use these tips to take control of your bathroom cleaning routine and keep mold away for good.