Removing and preventing mold in the bathroom
Is mold in the bathroom dangerous?
Are common types of mold such as red or black mold in the bathroom dangerous? At least in the medium term, mold infestation can have a negative impact on health. It can particularly promote or exacerbate respiratory diseases and allergies. Therefore, people who already suffer from these diseases, the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and children should not be exposed to mold for long periods of time. However, even healthy adults are advised to take swift action. It makes no difference whether the mold in the bathroom is black or red. All other types should also be removed as quickly as possible.
Removing mold in the bathroom yourself: How it works
Of course, you can always hire professionals to deal with mold in the bathroom. However, smaller areas can also be tackled yourself using household products or special cleaners. As a rule of thumb, areas up to a total size of 0.5 m² can be dealt with on your own. Larger areas should definitely be removed by professionals. If you decide to remove mold stains in the bathroom yourself, please note the following:
Proper protective clothing
To avoid coming into contact with the fungal spores, adequate protective clothing should be worn during cleaning. Gloves, a respirator mask, and safety goggles are recommended.
Ventilation
During and after removing mold in the bathroom, the room should be well ventilated. This is especially important when chemical cleaning agents are used.
Smooth surfaces
Mold in the bathroom is easiest to remove from smooth surfaces such as tiles or glass. The mold should be easy to scrub off with your chosen cleaner. The surface should then be wiped with water and dried.
Rough surfaces
Mold that has only formed at the finish of plastered or brick walls or in joints without silicone filling can be removed effectively using alcohol-based cleaning agents. We recommend using a microfiber cloth for this. Tip: Our magazine article on this topic explains in detail how to clean bathroom joints properly.
Silicone joints
Mold often accumulates in the joints in the shower. If these are coated with silicone, it is usually too late to clean them. Even if mold can be removed from joints in the bathroom that do not have this protective layer, it eats into the silicone and cannot be removed. In this case, the silicone joints should be replaced. By the way: joints and their corresponding silicone seals are very useful from both an architectural and hygienic point of view. However, it is increasingly possible to do without them. Find out more about jointless bathrooms here.
Bathroom furniture & accessories
If mold has settled on bathroom furniture, accessories, or even textiles, the affected items should be disposed of. Mold on shower curtains is particularly common. Here too, if the shower curtain becomes moldy, it should be replaced promptly.
Useful household remedies & cleaners for mold in the bathroom
Both common household remedies and chemical cleaners can be used to remove mold in the bathroom. This always depends on the exact location and extent of the infestation. As a general rule, the cleaned areas should be rinsed with water and dried immediately afterwards. The following agents are suitable for mold control:
Alcohol or methylated spirits
High-proof alcohol (70%) or methylated spirits can be used with a cloth or brush to reliably remove mold in the bathroom. Alcohol has the advantage of being environmentally friendly and does not produce toxic fumes. However, it should be noted that neither alcohol nor methylated spirits can help with the aesthetic side of things—the mold is killed, but the stains often remain, at least partially. When using either of these agents, care should also be taken to ensure that there is no source of fire nearby.
Baking soda or baking powder
When mixed with water, baking soda or baking powder forms a paste that can be applied to affected areas using an old toothbrush, for example, to combat mold in the bathroom. However, you should be careful here, as certain materials, such as marble, can be damaged by this mixture.
Hydrogen peroxide
When mixed with water in a low concentration (approx. 3%), hydrogen peroxide is a reliable mold remover in the bathroom. To ensure the necessary exposure time, you can apply the solution to a strip of kitchen paper, for example, and place it over the affected areas in the plaster or grout for half an hour. The mold residue should then be brushed or rinsed off.
Special chemical cleaners
There is also a whole range of special chemical cleaners available, which often achieve very good results as they sometimes use chlorine as a bleaching agent. However, it is essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions to prevent dangerous chemical reactions with other cleaners. In addition, it is particularly important to ensure good ventilation and to wear protective clothing.
Preventing mold in the bathroom
The most effective way to combat mold in the bathroom is to prevent it from forming in the first place. However, due to the high humidity, this is usually easier said than done. The following measures can help prevent mold in the bathroom:
Ventilation
The most important step in combating mold is efficient ventilation. Especially after showering or bathing, care should be taken to ensure that the bathroom is well ventilated in order to reduce the humidity to a lower level. It is highly recommended to open windows wide to allow air to circulate, as tilting windows does not allow as much air to be exchanged. If a bathroom does not have a window, doors and windows in adjacent rooms should be opened to allow fresh air into the bathroom. Otherwise, air exchange with other rooms without opening a window can cause mold to spread from the bathroom into these rooms.
Heating correctly
Warm air can absorb moisture better than cold air, which is why the bathroom should be heated accordingly. A temperature of 23-24 °C is recommended here. A hygrometer can help you keep an eye on the right balance of temperature and humidity at all times.
Wipe off moisture
To remove possible causes of mold in the shower or prevent mold on the edge of the bathtub, you should wipe down tiles and walls that come into contact with moisture immediately after use with a squeegee, towel, or cloth. Of course, this also applies to other finishes that are frequently splashed with water.
Draughts & leaky pipes
Exterior walls that do not completely block drafts or leaky pipes can also cause mold growth. Mold above the shower, for example, is often a sign of poor insulation or a leaking water pipe. However, you should first check that insufficient ventilation is not the cause. If the air supply is regular and sufficient, the exact cause of mold on the bathroom ceiling must be found and remedied by specialists.
