Is it possible for mold to grow even if you’re thoroughly cleaning the bathroom? Yes! Here’s what you’re doing wrong.
Whether you have your own place or live in a rented home, a clean and organized space can have impressive effects on one’s health, mental and physical. If you like to keep things neat and clean, it’s only natural to also have certain cleaning habits.
But what would you say about the fact that your cleaning habits might make you and your family sick? Yes, as surprising as it may sound, no matter how much or what method people use to clean their homes, there’s something they just can’t seem to get rid of: mold.
Not only can mold affect your health, but it can also weaken walls and ceilings, as it can spread really fast.
“Mold is a lot easier to prevent than it is to remove, so I suggest taking all the necessary precautions to avoid dealing with this problem [before it starts],” advises Tim Wells, founder of Garage Transformed.
So, what can you do to make sure your house is mold-free? Read on to find out what mistakes you have been making that led to a mold problem and what to do instead, as recommended by cleaning experts.
Leaving things on the bathroom floor
Whether you’re in a hurry and accidentally drop the towel on the floor or you just got back from work and throw your office clothes in a heap on the floor, these things happen. But in the long term, these habits might lead to the development of unwanted fungi, like mold.
According to Beth McCallum, a writer for Oh So Spotless, the easiest way to prevent mold, when it comes to towels, cloths or even loofahs, is to hang them up so that they can dry out properly.
Dampness and moisture are perfect environments for mold to develop, even if your clothes have been left on the bathroom floor for just a little while. The warning also applies to bathroom products. Don’t leave your shampoo, shower gel and the like on the floor, unless you want mold to grow on the bottom or lid. Use shower caddies and save yourself the trouble of having to get rid of mold and replace your bathroom products.
Not cleaning your bathroom once a week
Cleaning experts recommend cleaning the house once a week, or at least focusing on certain “trouble” areas, such as the bathroom. Generally, the bathroom is one of the rooms with the highest number of germs and bacteria. It goes without saying that cleaning it regularly helps you prevent unpleasant situations, such as the growth of mold, which can have serious consequences on your health.
It’s important to give your bathroom a good cleaning once a week “to prevent mold from taking over”, as recommended by Phi Dang, the director of the professional home service Sidepost. Make no mistake, as soon as it finds the perfect, damp and dirty space to grow, mold will start to spread its dark particles in about 24 hours.
Not wiping after you shower
As you’ve probably caught the idea, mold likes moisture and humidity. So, if you shower and neglect to wipe your bath and shower area, in particular, expect unwanted consequences shortly. “After you shower, be sure to wipe down all the surfaces in your bathroom to prevent water from sitting and creating the perfect environment for mold to grow,” advises Dang.
Whether you use a classic bath towel or a shower squeegee (which also needs to be left to dry afterward, by the way), make sure you wipe your bathroom down, including the mirror and countertops.
Not verifying your fan
Proper ventilation is crucial when it comes to preventing mold. Opening a window can help, obviously, with airing a bathroom, but you might want to invest in a fan as well.
As explained by Nicky Bowers from Let Loose Ltd., the airflow created by a fan will help air circulate, eliminating the moist air. He recommends using the fan on all occasions but in particular when you use the washroom.
But if you want proper airing, you also need to make sure that the fan is working properly. This means you have to clean it regularly and verify it from time to time to ensure it’s still fit for purpose.
Disregarding leaks
“Leaky pipes, plumbing fixtures, and other water sources can create standing water in your bathroom which provides the perfect environment for mold growth,” warns Justin Carpenter, founder of Modern Maids.
The solution? Do a constant checkup of your bathroom pipes and accessories to make sure there aren’t any leaks of water damage. If you do find a problem, you need to deal with it as soon as possible. Postponing it will only create even more and costlier problems.
Not using mildew-resistant product
Opting for high-quality paint, primer, and tiles for your house, but particularly for your bathroom, is not only good for design but also for your health. To make sure mold doesn’t form in your bathroom, use mildew-resistant products such as mold-resistant paint, tiles, and grout, specifically designed to keep this ugly fungus at bay.
According to Viktor Holas, founder of Simply Swider, such products do not allow the mold pores to attach to any surface, by creating a protection barrier.
You might also like: Top Worst 8 Cleaning Habits That Do More Harm than Good
Trying to get rid of mold by yourself
It might seem like an easy fix, but trying to get rid of mold by yourself, without having it properly inspected or tested (yes, that’s right) can become even costlier than anticipated. That’s because instead of removing it, you’re just scratching the surface, while the pores remain attached, waiting for another chance to grow back and spread even more aggressively throughout your home.
On the other hand, with the proper expertise and equipment, you’ll have mold safely and efficiently removed from the bathroom, avoiding contamination of other rooms. A professional can also tell you what to do to make sure you don’t have to set sight on this pesky fungus ever again.
Takeaway
Mold is not something to be taken lightly. Apart from leading to costly repairs, it can have a serious impact on the occupants of the moldy house. It’s important to find the cause of mold growth and take the necessary steps to change the situation.
When it comes to the subject at hand, mold in the bathroom, avoiding the mistakes we have identified, like throwing clothes on the floor or not having proper ventilation, is very important. These apply to your bathroom, as it is prone to humidity and moisture, but it can also be valid for other rooms.
Once you rectify these mistakes, you’ll no longer have to worry about having an unpleasant or unhealthy environment.
