How to Prevent Mold and Mildew
Buildup in the Bathroom

You probably don’t realize how much your shower gets used. If you live by yourself, it’s at least once a day. That’s 30 times a month. For a family of four that showers once a day, you’re looking at 120 times a month. Even more, it takes a lot of time for your shower to dry after each use. Add in the heat in your bathroom and you end up with the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow. You might not notice it on a daily basis, but if you look closely at the corners on the ceiling and your shower curtain below, you’ll probably find clusters of dark spots and maybe even a funky smell. Mold and mildew don’t just wreak havoc on the interior of your bathroom, they can be hazardous to your health too. The good news is you can still maintain your regular shower schedule and take some preventative steps to battle back against the nastiness.

Clean Your Bathroom

Not many people will tell you they love cleaning their bathroom. Between the toilet, dirty sink and grimy drains, there’s not much that’s appetizing. But doing it on a regular basis is not only sanitary, it goes a long way in helping prevent mold and mildew buildup. Start by wiping the dust off all your surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth. Dust helps mold grow so keeping it out of your bathroom is a must. Next, clean your mirrors with glass cleaner and wipe them dry with a soft cloth. Now comes all the other surfaces. Apply all-purpose cleaner to your sinks, tub and toilet and follow the directions on the bottle before wiping them down. Lastly, don’t forget about your rugs and shower curtain. Put them in the washing machine and run a cycle with cold water. Air dry your curtain and tumble dry your rugs.

Ventilation

During and after your shower, keep your fan running. Doing so not only keeps your mirror free of steam so you can do your hair, it keeps the air moving and dries your bathroom quickly.

It’s also a good idea to keep your bathroom windows open and the door closed. While this might be a tough ask in the middle of winter, it allows fresh air to come into your bathroom and speed up the drying process.

If you have a dehumidifier, your bathroom is a great place to use it. Dehumidifiers remove a significant amount of moisture from the air and make it harder for mold and mildew to grow. Turn it on during your shower and leave it running until your bathroom is dry.

After you’re done showering, you probably close the curtain like most people. This traps moisture inside your tub for far too long and creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to take hold. If you do this and the simple steps to increase ventilation above, mold and mildew will have a much tougher time accumulating.

Don’t Let Water Accumulate

Water has a way of finding its way into spaces you can’t even imagine. When it reaches small cracks and crevices, it just sits there. That’s why you should take some time to make sure everything is watertight.

Start by making sure all the pipes and seals attached to your sinks and toilet are secure. If you find a leak, fix it right away.

If you have tile in your bathroom or tub, seal the grout on a yearly basis. Even if there aren’t any visible holes, you might not be able to spot tiny ones with the naked eye.

While it takes a little extra work, you shouldn’t keep loofahs, bath toys or shampoo bottles around the outside of your tub. They are perfect spots for mold and mildew to hide. When you’re done showering, wipe them dry and store them in a cabinet.

If you’re dead serious about preventing mold and mildew buildup, you might want to consider using a squeegee to wipe away all excess water right after you shower. This gets water off the walls right away and cuts down drying time significantly. Wiping down glass shower doors will also help prevent water spots as an added bonus!

If left untreated, mold and mildew can cause serious damage to your home and even your health. Even though cleaning the bathroom isn’t the most enjoyable task in the world, it’s necessary every so often. By taking even just a few small steps like wiping surfaces down and checking for leaks on a regular basis you’ll keep your bathroom looking it’s best and mold and mildew at bay.