Easy Ways to Get Rid of Mold and Mildew in the Bathroom

Mold and mildew are usually found in the kitchen and bathroom of most houses as they thrive best in warm and moist environments. It is a common fungal growth; we see them as surface discoloration like dark spots on tiles and crevices and they emit an unpleasantly sour and musty smell. It may be common but it is not a welcome sight or smell to anyone and left untreated may cause sickness to the inhabitants of the house and damage to the furniture and our clothes, as well.

Before we get rid of these molds and mildew, we first need to identify their causes. Scrubbing away those unsightly spots will not be enough if the causes are not addressed first. They will just keep coming back. The common causes are:

-Poor or low lighting

-Poor ventilation

-Warm and damp environments

-High humidity

-Bad cleaning habits

To discourage the growth, we first need to increase the circulation in the problem areas. Bathrooms are more prone to this problem since it is a much more enclosed space than a kitchen. Use fans, air conditioning, exhaust fans to help with the air circulation. You can also leave doors and windows open longer than you usually do. If you use shower curtains, pull them closed even when not in use. Air can still circulate in the tub and if left bunched up, the shower curtains remain damp longer and will eventually become victim to those unfriendly fungi as well. Having better air circulation will also help in drying out the bathroom surfaces faster, meaning less work for you wiping them down dry. Do not leave damp towels or wet clothes lying around; hang them out to dry properly. If natural lighting is not available in your bathroom, leave the lights on for longer than usual. Mold and mildew like dark spaces meaning more light, less of them around. Most importantly, keep your bathroom clean. Establish a regular cleaning routine to remove all the dirt, grime, and what not inside your bathroom. Remember that mildew loves dirt. If there is no dirt, mildew will have nothing to attack and feed on. Make it a weekly habit to scrub the tub and sinks, disinfect the toilet, and shower stall. Clean the toothbrush and soap holders, too. Wipe everything dry after.

In removing the existing growth, chlorine bleach is the best choice. Fill a spray bottle with ten parts water to one part bleach. Make sure there is enough ventilation and wear old clothes. Spray on all the waterproof surfaces in your bathroom. Just make sure not to get any in your eyes. Make sure to get all the tiles and the nooks and crannies. Wait for at least 15 minutes before you start scrubbing the infected areas. Best tool for the scrubbing job is an old toothbrush. Rinse well. If you do not like to use bleach, you may also use vinegar to clean out those annoying spots. It will also help in discouraging future growth, not to mention being more environment-friendly.