Whether you're an owner or a renter, battling bathroom mold is a must if you want to keep the room clean, safe, and healthy. Every bathroom naturally accumulates moisture, but drying out the space can help prevent mold from appearing, or slow down mold growth if it's already there. Reducing the humidity level in your bathroom is the first and most important step to controlling mold, which can be accomplished by methods like using exhaust fans, fixing leaks, running dehumidifiers, or even simply opening your windows.
Keeping your bathroom mold-free is relatively easy if you are consistent in your cleaning. Follow these easy tips and tricks to minimize moisture and learn how to prevent mold in the bathroom.
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Get a Good Exhaust Fan
An exhaust fan is essential in a bathroom. The vents of an exhaust fan work by sucking the moisture out of the air and sending it outside. It's the first line of defense against moisture and mold.
There are many types of exhaust fans for a bathroom so it helps to know what size you need. The CFM (cubic feet per minute) count on your fan will tell you if it's good enough for the space. If it's too small, buy a more powerful one.
To calculate the ideal strength for your fan, multiply the square footage of the room by 1.1 for an 8-foot ceiling or 1.5 for a 9-foot ceiling.
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Run the Fan Properly
It's not enough to run the vent during your shower or bath—you should leave it on for at least 30 minutes after you're done.
This prevents leftover moisture from damaging the walls and ceiling and from growing mold. A good way to manage this is to put the fan on a timer—that way, you don't have to go back to the bathroom later to turn it off.
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Love Your Squeegee
Sure, it's a bit of an annoying task, especially when you're rushed in the morning, but bathroom squeegees exist for a reason. In fact, taking a few seconds to run the squeegee on your tub, shower walls, and shower door right after washing substantially reduces the moisture in the room. Additionally, if you see water dripping from inside your bathroom window, squeegee and dry it with a towel to discourage condensation. (Chronic condensation may mean you need more window insulation.)
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Fix All the Leaks
Bathroom mold doesn't just come from the water in your shower or bath. Leaks can also cause moisture to accumulate and mold to grow.
Whenever you see a leak or drip, don't leave it to fix later. Fix it right away if you can, or call a plumber to do it for you if you need to. Waiting will only make things worse, especially if mold takes hold and starts growing. It's a lot harder to get rid of mold than it is to prevent it.
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Wash Rugs, Towels, and Curtains Regularly
The bath mat, bathroom rug, towels, shower curtain, and liner are ideal mold growth spots, especially if you leave them unwashed for long periods of time.
One easy way to help fight mold in your bathroom is to wash your towels, bathroom rugs, and shower curtains regularly—at least once a week—and together. Clean towels, rugs, and curtains mean a cleaner, healthier bathroom. If you don't have a washable shower curtain liner, change it frequently.
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Dry Out Your Shower Items
Removing loofahs, sponges, and product bottles from the shower when not in use will keep mold away. When these items are kept in the shower after use, water accumulates under them as they dry and make them the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.
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Run the Air Conditioner or Dehumidifier
Running an air conditioner or dehumidifier during humid months will diminish mold growth. Humidity levels in your home should run between 30 and 50 percent throughout the day to inhibit mold. Humidity levels fluctuate during the day, but you can use an inexpensive hygrometer (also called a humidistat) to check your indoor humidity levels.
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Open Doors and Windows
Another way to reduce dampness and circulate air is to keep the shower door (or curtain), bathroom door, and window open after your shower. Air needs to keep moving freely to discourage the development of condensation and mold growth.
In addition to air circulation, keeping the doors and windows open lets in more natural light which is the mortal enemy of mold and mildew.
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Clean With Mold-Killing Products
Consider mold-killing bathroom cleaners to defend your home against mold and mildew growth. If you prefer, make your own cleaner with something you already have in your pantry: vinegar. It's a perfect all-purpose cleaner and ideal for killing any mold or mildew you may not even be able to see.
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Reseal Your Grout
If there's a lot of tile in your bathroom, consider resealing your grout every year or so to prevent moisture seepage into hairline cracks. Cracks create an entryway for moisture to seep into, resulting in the perfect environment for hidden mold growth, so it pays to maintain the grout.