Molds in the bathroom can be a sore sight. The bathroom is one of the areas that are most prone to mold growth and contamination due to the high levels of moisture and water in this part of your home. Every time you run the shower or the sink tap, paddles of water form and if these water paddles and wet surfaces are not dried soon enough, they create an environment that is conducive to mold growth.
Additionally the paddles of water evaporate, saturating the air with high levels of humidity. The vapour from hot showers and baths also increases the level of humidity in the bathroom. A good number of bathrooms are poorly ventilated, compounding the problem off mold formation. While small mold growths may be harmless, an acculmulation of mold can pose several health hazards to you and your family including, sinuses, asthma, rashes and a host of other allergic reactions. Getting rid of accumulated mold is also expensive and time consuming.
The good news is that even though the bathroom is more likely to attract mold growth, you can prevent this or keep the growth from spreading. Use several easy techniques to keep mold away from your bathroom for good.
Ventilate your bathroom
As mentioned earlier, humidity and moisture make your bathroom prone to mold growth. Opening the bathroom window allows for adequate circulation of air and enables the bathroom to stay dry. If you stay in a very humid region, consider installing a ventilation fan that will eliminate the vapour during showers. Mold is also likely to grow in dark areas. This calls for adequate lighting in the bathroom; strong glass is much better than bathroom curtains, to let in sufficient light. Light also enables the bathroom to dry faster.
Check your drainage
When paddles of water sit on the bathroom floor, tab or sink without going through the drain, this could expose your bathroom to mold growth. Essentially, the water should drain as fast as the water runs from the shower or tap. The key to a clean bathroom really is having functional drains that do not create a breeding ground for molds. Use drain-unblocking chemicals to liquefy solid blocks in the drainages. Alternatively, ask a plumber to repair your drains before it is too late.
Get rid of bathroom clutter
While it is tempting to store too many things in your bathroom including shampoos, brushes, makeup and soap, this is a sure way of encouraging mold growth. When water splashes on these items, there is a high possibility that mold will growth on them. It is a good idea to store these items away from areas where they can easily become wet and take too long to dry. An enclosed shelf would be ideal for storing bathroom products. You might also want to store as few things as possible in the bathroom area just to lower the chances of mold growth.
Clean the bathroom frequently
While this might sound obvious, it is often easy to neglect the bathroom. Leaving your bathroom unattended to for a long time will certainly predispose the bathroom to mold growth. Mold can easily be trapped within the tiles, making it difficult to eradicate the unsightly growth. Use mold killers and other bathroom cleaning products to clean out tile surfaces, shower screens and hidden nooks on the bathroom floor, sinks and tub. Most mould killer products should be able to stop mould regrowth as long as you avoid creating conditions that are conducive for mold growth.
Use mold resistant paint in your bathroom
Walls and ceilings too are prone to mold growth. To keep them from attracting mold, use a mold resistant paint. This type of paint does not retain moisture. It is a good idea to clean the walls and to remove any paint that was previously on the walls and ceiling before repainting. You can purchase mold resistant paint in your local hardware store.
