How to Prevent Mold in the Shower: 11 Tips & Tricks
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Mold is a dangerous substance to have around your home. It can trigger allergies, asthma, and a number of other unwanted scenarios. Unfortunately, it’s pretty easy for mold to build up in your shower, especially if you do not care for your bathroom area properly.
The only way to prevent mold from building up in your shower is to minimize moisture and keep your shower as clean as possible. With these 11 tips and tricks, you can begin to prevent mold in your shower for a safer and cleaner home.
The 11 Tips & Tricks on How to Prevent Mold in the Shower
1. Always Turn on the Bathroom Fan
Whenever you take a bath or a shower, make sure to turn on the bathroom fan if you have one. The bathroom fan will help to disperse any extra moisture and humidity in the air that contributes to mold buildup. Leave the bathroom fan on even after you get out of the shower to make sure no extra moisture lingers.
2. Open Windows
If you have windows in the bathroom, it’s a good idea to open them after you shower as well. Opening the shower will further aid in air circulation to fight any moisture that may be lingering in your bathroom.
3. Hang Wet Fabrics to Dry
Don’t allow wet fabrics to sit in your shower. Instead, hang them up so that they can dry properly. This includes loofas, sponges, and wash rags. Hang the wet fabric so that moisture is not trapped in the shower area.
4. Squeegee After You Shower
Invest in a squeegee and use it on your shower walls after every use. A squeegee will help to remove excess water from the tiles and surface areas of the shower. Especially if you have a glass shower, this is a great investment.
5. Use Daily Shower Spray
Daily shower sprays are designed to keep mold and mildew at a minimum. There are plenty of rinse-free formulas you can purchase or make yourself. Plus, it will keep your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.
6. Clean Your Curtain and Liner Regularly
Shower curtains and liners are often where mold and mildew grow first. To prevent this from occurring, make sure to clean your curtain and liner regularly. It’s a good idea to bleach the shower curtain liner once a week and wash the curtain once a month.
7. Switch Out Towels Regularly
Don’t use the same towels and wash rags continuously. Instead, switch out your towels and wash rags on a regular basis. Not only will this help to fight mold and mildew buildup, but it is more hygienic as well.
8. Wash Bath Mats Regularly
Many homeowners forget to clean their bathmats. However, think about how much moisture and germs buildup on your bathmats over time. Wash your bath mats regularly to keep germs, mildew, and mold at bay.
9. Use a Dehumidifier
If you don’t have a fan, definitely consider getting a dehumidifier for your bathroom. The dehumidifier will help to remove excess humidity from the air. Humidity contributes to mold, so the dehumidifier can help keep your mold problem under wraps.
10. Clean Your Bathroom Weekly
Regular bathroom cleaning is a must. With routine cleaning, you will get to kill off any mold that may be developing. Set a cleaning routine and stick to it. You ideally need to deep clean the bathroom at least once a week, although you can change this based on your personal preferences and schedule.
11. Replace Cracking Grout
Mold and mildew often build up in cracked grout and other hard-to-reach places. To prevent this from occurring, replace cracked grout whenever you notice it happening. This will make your bathroom look more put together, but it will fight mold too.
How Do You Clean Mold in the Shower?
If you have mold in your shower, it’s important to clean it quickly and effectively. There’s no point in wasting your time trying to scrub off the mold and mildew with just water and soap. Unfortunately, this method will not actually kill the mold.
Instead, invest in a commercial cleaner that is designed to clean mold and mildew. These cleaners will kill the mold spores so that they do not continue growing. If you don’t want to purchase a commercial cleaner, you can use undiluted white vinegar instead.
Regardless of which cleaner you select, begin working in one small area. Use a cloth or sponge to wipe off the majority of the mold, then scrub the cleaner into the spot to really get in all the little nooks and crannies. Rinse the area with hot water after.
If you see that there are any mold stains, you’ll want to use bleach on that area. The bleach will remove the stain and ensure that the mold is removed. If you use bleach, make sure that the vinegar or commercial cleaner is completely wiped off first. Mixing bleach with vinegar is toxic.
How Do You Prevent Mold Permanently?
Unfortunately, there’s no way that you can prevent mold permanently, especially not in a shower. Because showers are constantly exposed to moisture and water, fighting mold is an ongoing process.
If you use the tips above, however, you will be able to fight mold effectively. Because you are fighting the mold after every shower, you won’t have to worry about mold building up over time.
Conclusion
Preventing mold from developing in your shower is a task that every homeowner has to face. By using the 11 tips and tricks above, you should be able to keep mold at bay in your bathroom.
If mold still somehow gets inside your bathroom, use a heavy-duty cleaner to kill the spores head-on. White vinegar will work too. Just make sure not to mix bleach and vinegar together. Good luck!
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Featured Image Credit: Cegli, Shutterstock
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