You'll find “Mold” in Wales – and anywhere else on Earth that opts for the US spelling of the word – but at Big Bathroom Shop we deal with “Mould” and “proper English” (sic), so let's look at how to deal with that bathroom nastiness in a little more detail.
Bathroom mould is a nasty and unsightly thing that should be dealt with as soon as its seen.
Not only is it ugly, but it can be harmful to your health, sometimes causing breathing difficulties and damaging your immune system. Thankfully, most mould can be easily removed with a simple cleaning solution. In this ultimate mould removing guide, we show you how to spot it, get rid of it and prevent it from coming back! Bathroom mould is a fungus that loves to grow in the damp and warm conditions of your bathroom. As one of the most common problems in any bathroom, it can grow on almost any surface, including –
Once there, bathroom mould can spread very quickly and even be present without any visible signs. Mould begins to grow due to excess moisture and poor ventilation – why else do you think most bathrooms have an extractor fan? In a hot and steamy bathroom, condensation can begin to build up over time. As the warm, moist air meets the cold surfaces in your bathroom, it will cling on much like it does on your windows in the winter. But it isn’t just a lack of ventilation that causes bathroom mould. Poorly insulated bathrooms, leaking pipework, and excess condensation – that is not removed following a bath or shower – can all contribute to ugly black mould taking hold. There are several ways to identify if you have a bathroom mould problem. If you can already see it, the issue is probably already quite advanced and will need addressing as soon as possible. It is important to know what you are looking for, so here are just some of the tell-tale signs that you may have a mould problem in your bathroom.
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The spores that make up mould are decomposing materials, so they can give off quite a pungent aroma. If you find that you have a persistently damp smell in your bathroom, even when the bathroom is clean and completely dry, it could be that you have a leak or some moisture accumulation somewhere. This may rapidly develop into a bigger mould issue and, if left unchecked, could ultimately mean an expensive repair bill is on the cards.
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Crumbling plasterwork, paint that blisters and cracked or loose tile work with gaps in the grout or caulk, could all mean that moisture has found its way into your walls. This means that mould is silently growing behind your tiles and can be very bad news if your walls look warped and tiles move with the slightest touch. If you have reached this level of mould damage, it is probably best to contact a trained professional to come and take a look at the problem – playing around with it could cause more damage than you think!
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As stated above, if you can see mould already, the problem is already at an advanced stage. To be sure you know what sort of mould you are dealing with, you can purchase home mould test kits that can help determine how dangerous a mould is to you and your family. Again though, if you're not sure, or if you have an existing condition that may be exacerbated by mould, steer clear and call in the professionals! Often, black mould can grow on tiles and if your tiles look a little muddy and feel slimy and damp, it may be that black mould has taken hold. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of really deep cleans, if you find that your tiles have this sort of a look, try using toothpaste and a toothbrush to get in-between the tiles. Just a little scrubbing should shift most of the debris, but be sure to wear gloves and a mask to be on the safe side and rinse down afterwards. There are several ways in which to remove mould from a bathroom, some more easy than others. The trick with them all is to ensure you kill the mould off. This is the best way to keep it at bay and be sure it won’t make an unwanted return. However, before you tackle any mould, it is important to identify the source and only remove it if is caused by condensation, as explained by the NHS website. So, if you’re certain condensation is the cause of your problem, let’s look at the best things to use and how to make your own mould killing solutions to get rid of that nasty stuff that’s spoiling your bathroom ambience. A simple way to start when getting rid of mould is with a chlorine bleach. There are plenty on the market and many of them are designed to specifically kill bathroom mould – such as Cillit Bang Black Mould Remover. You will have to be careful with this method, however, particularly if you have coloured tile grout or caulking, as the bleach can make both fade considerably. For this method, simply follow these instructions:
For a simple, non-toxic mould killer, white vinegar is a fabulous alternative to more harmful chemical cleaners. Grab yourself a spray bottle and pour some white vinegar in to use it. It does not need to be diluted – in fact, it is at it’s most effective when it is just pure vinegar being sprayed. Follow these steps to use vinegar as your solution to bathroom mould:
Top Tip – Vinegar doesn’t smell the best, so leave a window open or turn on your extractor fan to avoid your bathroom smelling like a chippy! Borax – or Sodium Borate – is found in all manner of domestic cleaning products. This white mineral powder can be bought from most supermarkets and hardware stores and is found in laundry detergents and personal care products and is sometimes used for balancing the PH levels of some toys. One thing it is definitely good for, is getting rid of black bathroom mould. Mix about 200 grams of Sodium Borate with about 4 litres of water and then pour the solution into a spray bottle. Spray this magical solution onto your mouldy tiles or grout work and you’ll notice a big difference. You usually won’t need to rinse off after – as Borax is great at keeping mould at bay – but if you suffer from skin allergies or are pregnant, it may be a good idea to rinse it just in case. Borax is sometimes highlighted as a “green” cleaning agent, but it can be quite toxic, so be sure to check if it could make an impact on you and your family before using it. Click here to add your own text
John trained in journalism before joining the Big Bathroom Shop team. His exceptional journalism skills (and modesty) allow him to meticulously research bathroom topics and bring you the very latest news and views on all things bath and shower related. He’s a dab hand at Scrabble and is currently undertaking a domestic plumbing course to be sure he actually does know what he’s talking about!
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