It’s easy for your bathroom to get dirty. After all, it’s one of the most frequently used rooms in the house. However, most people barely have time to shower and get out of the door in the morning before leaving the house all day for work or school, so cleaning oftentimes is left undone. While we understand that your schedule is probably busy, it’s important for your health to learn how to prevent mold and mildew in the bathroom.
Why Worry About Mold and Mildew?
Mold and mildew are both forms of fungi. (Yes, gross, you have fungus growing in your bathroom.) Both types of fungi release spores into the air, which you then inhale when you enter your bathroom. Eventually, breathing in these spores starts to affect your respiratory system, causing allergy or asthma-like symptoms. Long-term exposure to mold and mildew is hazardous to your health, so it’s important to take cleaning seriously.
10 Ways to Prevent Mold and Mildew in Your Bathroom
Clean Often
The biggest enemy of mold and mildew is a clean bathroom. Thus, you should stick to a regular cleaning schedule. You can clean your bathroom once a week if you live alone. If you have a big family, clean your bathroom at least two to three times per week. This might seem overwhelming, but remember, you can just give every surface a quick wipe with some cleaner and make sure everything is dry. You don’t have to do a deep clean every single time.
Use a Fan After Showering
Mold and mildew thrive because of moisture. When you take a hot, steamy shower, it feels excellent on your skin after a long day. But these blissful, relaxing showers cause a lot of condensation in your bathroom. To combat this, you should leave your bathroom fan on for at least thirty minutes after showering. This helps circulate the moisture through the air and draw it outside.
Get a Shower Rack
Sitting your shower products on the tub ledge or on the floor can cause water to become trapped beneath them. That moisture will stick around and encourage mold and mildew growth. Instead of placing your shower products on flat surfaces, opt for a rack that will allow moisture to drain.
Hang Sponges and Washcloths
Your sponges and washcloths are a breeding ground for bacteria when you leave them balled up or lying in the shower. Make sure to hang them up properly to dry. If possible, hanging them outside of the shower is best.
Squeegee Your Shower Doors
Squeegeeing your glass doors after showering is one of the best and easiest ways to prevent moisture buildup. The squeegee will scoop up excess moisture, which helps your shower dry faster. This is something you can do even when you’re pressed for time. If you don’t have time to clean, at least take a few seconds to squeegee!
Find a Shower Spray
You can find rinse-free shower sprays to help keep your bathroom clean and shiny with minimal effort. Once again, this kind of product is especially helpful for those on a time crunch. All you have to do is spray and walk away. You can make your own rinse-free shower cleaner with ingredients like dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and rubbing alcohol if you prefer.
Wash Your Shower Curtain and Liner
Most shower curtains and liners are machine washable. If they aren’t, just make sure to change them out often. Curtains and liners harbor moisture and bacteria.
Get a Dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are a great addition to your bathroom. They work by pulling in air, cooling it down to draw out moisture, and reheating the cooled air before releasing it. Having a dehumidifier to pick up the slack from your fan can be helpful.
Keep Your Shower Curtain Open
Never close the curtain after taking a shower. That just allows moisture to stay trapped within. Eventually, the trapped moisture grows mold and mildew. Keep your curtain open after showering and only close it after you’ve run your fan for at least thirty minutes.
Take Care of Standing Water Immediately
A little water on the floor or sink here and there may not seem like a big deal. However, we assure you that it is. Standing water is one of the leading causes of mold and mildew growth. You should mop up any standing water right away when you notice it.
We Can Help Keep Your Bathroom Mold-Free!
Plumbing problems are another leading cause of mold and mildew growing in your bathrooms. Thankfully, ASAP Plumbing Experts is here to help. Our trained professionals can fix leaks and other issues that could lead to mold and mildew growth. Contact us today for assistance!