Mold and Mildew in the Bathroom
Mold and mildew live and thrive in dark, damp places that are high in humidity and have low ventilation – it is the nemesis of every bathroom cleaner. They grow in many areas, the tub, shower, tiles, floors and walls. When in standing water, they grow very quickly but in ideal conditions mould and mildew can even grow on your shower curtains or walls.
Here is how to clean mold and mildew and prevent it from coming back.
Vinegar is like a jack of all trades when it comes to cleaning, it cleans almost everything – including mold and mildew. They do not grow in an acidic environment and as white vinegar is a mild acid it kills mould and mildew while making the environment less hospitable for growth.
Use a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use this to spray all the surfaces in the shower and leave it for a few minutes. Use a damp sponge to wipe it up after.
If you are dealing with a more serious mold and mildew problem, use undiluted vinegar. Use a spray bottle, spray on affected surfaces and leave for a few minutes. Grab a pot scrubber with plastic bristles or an old toothbrush to clean it up before rinsing off the mixture and wiping it down.
Bleach is an alternative to the vinegar method. For each 4 litres of water use 1/4 or 1/2 cup of bleach. Spray on tiles and brush. Rinse thoroughly because bleach makes surfaces slippery.
To further prevent mold you can change the environmental conditions in the bathroom.
- Reduce humidity by using the fan when showering and leave it on until it does not feel damp anymore.
- Open windows to let in fresh air, this increases air circulation and reduces odours.
- Have a small squeegee to remove water after showering
- Wipe down the tub or shower after use to remove debris which is a food source for mold.
