Removing and preventing mold in the bathroom
Key points at a glance:
- Act quickly: Mold can be harmful to your health and should be removed as soon as possible, especially if the affected area is small.
- Choose the right method: Depending on the surface, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or special cleaners may be effective, while silicone caulking and infested textiles often need to be replaced.
- Preventive measures: Regular ventilation, adequate heating, and promptly removing moisture help prevent mold growth 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. In particular, it can trigger or exacerbate respiratory diseases and allergies. For this reason, people who already suffer from these conditions, the elderly, those with weakened immune systems, and children should not be exposed to mold for long periods of time. However, even for healthy adults, it is advisable to take action quickly. It makes no difference whether the mold in the bathroom is black or red. Any other types should also be removed as soon as possible.
Removing mold in the bathroom yourself: How it works
Of course, you can always hire a professional to deal with mold in the bathroom. However, smaller areas can also be tackled on your own using household products or special cleaners. As a general rule, areas up to a total of 0.5 m² can be handled on your own. Larger infestations should definitely be removed by a professional. When removing mold stains in the bathroom on your own, keep the following in mind:
Proper protective clothing
To avoid coming into contact with fungal spores, you should wear adequate protective clothing when cleaning. Gloves, a respirator, and safety goggles are recommended.
Ventilation
During and after removing mold from the bathroom, the room should be well ventilated. This is especially important when using chemical cleaning products.
Smooth surfaces
Mold in the bathroom is easiest to remove from smooth surfaces, such as tiles or glass. You should be able to scrub the mold off using your preferred cleaner; afterward, wipe the surface with water and then dry it.
Rough surfaces
Mold that has formed only on the finish of plastered or brick walls, or in grout lines without silicone sealant, can be effectively removed using alcohol-based cleaners. We recommend using a microfiber cloth. Tip: Our magazine article on this topic explains in detail how to properly cleangrout lines in the bathroom.
Silicone joints
Mold often accumulates in the grout lines of the shower. If these are coated with silicone, it’s usually already too late to clean them. Even though mold can sometimes be removed from grout lines in the bathroom that lack this protective layer, it eats into the silicone and can no longer be removed from it. In this case, the silicone grout should be replaced. By the way: Grout lines and their corresponding silicone sealant are quite useful from both an architectural and a hygienic perspective. However, there is an increasing trend toward doing without them. Learn more about a grout-free bathroom here.
Bathroom Furniture & Accessories
If mold has taken hold on bathroom furniture, accessories, or textiles, the affected items should be discarded. Mold on shower curtains is particularly common. The same rule applies here: if the shower curtain has mold on it, it should be replaced as soon as possible.
Useful household products & cleaners for mold in the bathroom
Both common household remedies and chemical cleaners can be used to remove mold in the bathroom. The choice depends on the exact location and extent of the mold growth. As a general rule, rinse the cleaned areas with water and dry them immediately afterward. The following products are effective for mold removal:
Alcohol or denatured alcohol
When applied with a cloth or brush, high-proof alcohol (70%) or rubbing alcohol reliably removes mold in the bathroom. Alcohol offers the advantage of being safe for the environment and not producing toxic fumes. However, it should be noted that neither alcohol nor rubbing alcohol can improve the appearance of the surface—while the mold is killed, stains often remain, at least partially. When using either of these agents, care should also be taken to ensure that no sources of fire are 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—for example, using an old toothbrush—to combat mold in the bathroom. However, you should exercise caution here, as certain materials, such as marble, can be damaged by this mixture.
Hydrogen peroxide
When mixed with water in a low concentration (about 3%), hydrogen peroxide makes a reliable mold remover for the bathroom. To ensure it has enough time to work, you can apply the solution to a strip of paper towel and place it over the affected areas on the plaster or in the grout for half an hour. Afterward, the remaining mold should brush or rinse away.
Specialty chemical cleaners
There is also a wide range of specialized chemical cleaners available, which often produce excellent results because 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 proper ventilation and to wear protective clothing.
Preventing mold in the bathroom
The most effective way to deal with 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 effective ventilation. Especially after showering or bathing, you should ensure that the bathroom is well-ventilated to bring the humidity back down to a lower level. When using windows, it is strongly recommended to open them fully for a short burst of fresh air, as tilting the windows does not allow nearly as much air to circulate. If a bathroom does not have a window, open doors and windows in adjacent rooms to draw fresh air into the bathroom. Otherwise, simply exchanging air with other rooms without opening a window can cause mold to spread from the bathroom into those rooms.
Heating Properly
Warm air can hold more moisture than cold air, which is why the bathroom should be heated accordingly. A temperature of 23–24 °C is recommended. A hygrometer can help you keep track of the right balance between temperature and humidity at all times.
Wipe away moisture
To eliminate potential causes of mold in the shower or prevent mold from forming on the edge of the bathtub, you should wipe down tiles and walls that come into contact with moisture immediately after use using a squeegee, towel, or cloth. Of course, this also applies to other finishes that are frequently exposed to splashing water.
Drafts & 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. First, however, you should rule out insufficient ventilation as the cause. If the air supply is regular and adequate, the exact cause of mold on the bathroom ceiling must be identified and resolved by professionals.
