Getting Rid of Mould in Your Bathroom

It’s always a heart-sinking moment when you spot those ugly, dark mould patches in the bathroom; mould isn’t only an ugly impediment in your otherwise sparkling bathroom …it’s also bad for your health, especially for those who suffer from asthma or other respiratory conditions. The nasty black stuff which tends to like growing in the corners of your shower room or infesting tricky areas like the base of taps is sometimes known as mildew and it likes a nice damp environment to grow in!

 

Bathrooms of course are havens for mould and mildew and because they’re almost always damp, fighting it is an ongoing battle for most people. When it comes to the war against mould, prevention is the best cure. Some tips for preventing mould in your bathroom are as follows!

• Always ensure that your bathroom is well aired and open a window after a shower or a bath.
• Don’t leave shower curtains hanging closed, wash and wipe them often and always dry them off afterwards.
• Clean tiles regularly with a solution of white vinegar and warm water to discourage mould spores from taking hold.

If it’s too late to consider prevention steps then the first thing to do is to remove the mould which has already taken hold in your bathroom. There are several ways to tackle mould including many off-the-shelf cleaners but before you purchase any expensive solutions, try this homespun method instead and create your own mould busting fluid!
Mix white vinegar with baking soda to form a thick paste…do it in an old saucer and use an old toothbrush to dip and scrub! This is especially good for tile grout and although it is labour intensive it’s also very satisfying to see the mould stains disappear before your very eyes! For very stubborn mould, apply the paste like a poultice, leave for 15 minutes and then scrub it off.

If the sealant around your bath is stained with mould then this is almost impossible to remove; even neat bleach won’t fully penetrate and the best solution is to cut the old sealant off and replace it.

For stained shower curtains, mix up a solution of bleach and water and spray over the curtain where it hangs; rinse with the shower head. If this is not successful try soaking the curtain overnight in the bath with some bleach or biological washing detergent added to the water. In the morning, rinse and scrub with a brush to remove the last clinging mould stains.

If mould has grown on your walls or ceiling, try removing it with a coarse backed sponge dipped in a solution of bleach and water. This may work for relatively new mould infestations but if the mould has been at home for some months then it may need an over the counter treatment as well as a fresh coat of paint.

Remember though that the best fix for mould is to avoid it in the first place! Keep rooms well aired, don’t allow walls to run with condensation after a bath or a shower and wash your shower curtain regularly…ensuring that it gets the chance to dry out fully!
Mould is never welcome in the home but it can be successfully removed and avoided in the future!