Mold can hide in various places in your bathroom. It is a big problem that can cause property damage and harm to your health if it is not addressed. Mold can cause allergy like symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes, however, it can also cause major upper respiratory issues with prolonged exposure. You want to make sure to remediate any mold issues at your home to prevent it from spreading and causing additional damage to your property and to your health.
Mold Forming in Bathrooms
Bathrooms are warm and humid which is the perfect combination of conditions for mold to form. Mold spores can easily reproduce and grow in these conditions and your bathroom can quickly become mold-infested.
The most common areas where mold forms include sinks, fans, tiles, grout, shower curtains, toilet, etc. This is because it is easy for moisture to gather in these spaces and mold can grow quickly. There are various types of mold, and they differ slightly in their color, however, you should remediate any mold issues you have right away no matter the type or color.
You want to avoid being exposed to mold because it can cause headaches, coughing, sneezing, and even major upper respiratory issues with prolonged exposure. As soon as you notice mold in your bathroom, you should act right away and get it remediated
Getting Rid of Mold in your Bathroom
Mold can form in your bathroom at any time due to damp conditions, and you can take some measures to quickly remediate it. There are various household items that you probably already have on hand that can help you remove mold. However, it is important to note that you should only remove mold yourself if the affected area is not greater than 10 square feet. It can be dangerous for your health and if the molded areas are larger, you should consult a professional mold removal company so that you can ensure that they can get rid of it quickly and efficiently.
Preparation for Mold Removal
If you would like to remove mold yourself, there are necessary precautions you should take so that you can keep yourself safe and healthy. Here are a few:
- Wear old clothes and shoes along with gloves, goggles, and an N-95 mask or P-100 respirator.
- Ventilate the area by keeping a fan in the window that you will discard later.
- All moldy carpeting should be wrapped in 6-mil plastic and double bagged before they are disposed.
- Always dampen any mold areas with a sprayer to prevent spores from spreading further.
- While cleaning, all ducts and doors should be closed so that spores do not spread. Your air conditioner and furnace should be off as well.
- After you have vacuumed, make sure to keep your wet/dry vacuum outside.
Common Household Cleaners that Can Remove Mold:
Vinegar
Make sure that you are using distilled vinegar so that you can remove bathroom mold. You should spray the vinegar on the moldy area, allowing it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Then you will need to scrub vigorously with a scrub brush. You may need to repeat the process a second time if the mold is still not removed. At the end, make sure to rinse the area with warm water.
Baking Soda
You can easily make a paste with ½ cup of baking soda and a few teaspoons of water. You will need to apply this paste to the mold, let it sit for 10 minutes and then scrub it with a brush. If you notice that your tiles are shifting or are tilted, this means that there may be mold behind the drywall or underneath them. For this situation, you will need to hire a professional mold remediation company.
Removal of Mold from Wallpaper or Painted Walls
You can use vinegar, borax, and water to remove mold from wallpaper or painted walls. You will need to combine borax, white vinegar, and hot water in a plastic bucket, then fill up a sprayer and spray it on the painted or wallpapered walls. You will need to customize the solution based on the size of the space you need to clean. You will need to scrub vigorously and make sure you are wiping the areas with a damp cloth. Then, let it sit for 10 min and keep repeating the process until it is gone. Finally, you will need to dry the area.
Prevention of Mold Growth in your Bathroom
Although, these strategies for cleaning mold from your bathroom can be effective, it is always crucially important to try and prevent mold from forming in your bathroom in the first place. Since we know that a damp environment helps mold form easily and quickly, we need to take precautions to prevent moisture buildup. The best way to prevent mold growth is to keep moisture levels as low as possible. Here are a few things you can do to prevent mold:
- Use the exhaust fan to circulate air in the bathroom.
- Make sure there are no water leaks from faucets or valves and that your drains are clean.
- If you have any leaks in your pipes or walls, make sure to get them fixed quickly.
Are you having mold issues at your home or business? ServiceMaster Fire & Water Cleanup can help! We use the right methods and equipment to eradicate bathroom mold right away so we can prevent it from spreading and causing further and costly damage. We specialize in mold removal and remediation in Lancaster, PA, and the surrounding areas. If you notice mold at your property, act right away and give us a call at (844) 805-1107 so we can remediate it immediately.
