When it comes to mold in your house, prevention is much better than a cure. It is wise for you to prevent mold from getting a foothold in your home, and one place to stop it is in your bathroom. Stop it in the first place so that you do not have to think about removing it later.
According to the CDC, mold can be found anywhere. The key ingredients mold needs to thrive are moisture and nutrients. Let’s see how we can prevent mold from getting a foothold.
Here are some mold prevention ideas.
Aeration and Ventilation
One of the most effective preventive measures against mold growth in a bathroom is aeration through an exhaust fan. The fan will reduce the bathroom’s humidity, ridding it of one of the ingredients needed by mold to thrive.
As a homeowner, you can do some simple things to reduce the humidity level in your bathroom.
- Install a ceiling ventilation system.
- Put a small fan in the window to vent the moisture outside.
- Run your fan (or fans) for at least 30 minutes after a shower or bath.
Dehumidify the Air
In your bathroom, a shower or tub filled with hot water produces steam. Without proper ventilation, steam vapor will condense on the surfaces in your bathroom. This condensation is often very evident on your bathroom mirror – it fogs up. The other surfaces in your bathroom also will cause the steam to condense, but some of the different surfaces may also absorb the moisture. If this happens often, then you have more of a chance of having mold gain a foothold.
The level of humidity in a bathroom can be put under control with a dehumidifier. If you use one in your bathroom, it will improve the ventilation and prevent mold growth. A dehumidifier is more useful in humid and hot climates where mold can grow at an alarming rate.
Clean Your Bathroom
Cleanliness is one of the essential factors in your bathroom to prevent mold from being present. Cleaning regularly will stop mold from getting a start in your bathroom.
Preventing Bathroom Mold – Tips for Cleaning
- Wipe your walls down once a month.
- Wipe all counters down and disinfect once a week.
- Remove everything from the shower and clean everything once a month.
- Use small area rugs that can be machine washed. Wet carpets are an excellent place for mold to gain a footing in your bathroom. By machine-washing them, you prevent any chance for mold to use an area rug as a starting point for growth.
If you have permanent carpeting in your bathroom, consider removing it and using tiles with area rugs.
Maintenance
Let not underestimate how a lack of maintenance can be a starting point for mold growth.
Check all pipes for leaks regularly. A small leak may not be noticed without an actual inspection, but a constant small leak is a sure way to have moisture, and the mold may find it and get a start in your bathroom.
Accessories
Use a mildew-resistant shower curtain, and wash or replace it frequently.
Do not store absorbent shower items in the shower. Brushes, washcloths, and loofahs will be places where excess moisture can remain and be a starting point for mold.
As mentioned above (and worth repeating), wash your bathroom rugs frequently.
Win the War Against Mold
Mold will grow on wood, wallboard, wallpaper, upholstery, and other materials. Mold will grow even if the temperature is not optimal if the environment is moist. Therefore, it is fundamental to remove extra moisture from your bathroom after use.
Preventing bathroom mold is far better than a cure. These tips will help you to keep mold from having a place to start. Once mold makes its appearance, you must do much more to remove it.