Eliminate bathroom mould and mildew: Effective removal techniques

The bathroom is one of the rooms in the house with the most moisture, and with moisture comes mold. Not to mention an endless array of problems. Mould growth can be spotted - or smelt - fairly easily due to its musty odor. In addition to the challenges posed by moisture and mould, the winter season can further exacerbate these issues.

During winter, the cold weather outside and the warm air inside the house can create condensation on bathroom surfaces. This condensation, coupled with the already present moisture from showers and baths, provides an ideal environment for mold to thrive. The lack of proper ventilation in many bathrooms during winter can compound the problem, as the trapped moisture has limited means to escape.

Visible patches of mould spores are another clear sign that you need to open some windows, let some air in, and do some cleaning. 

Before starting the process of cleaning your bathroom, first, know the difference between mould and mildew.

Dangerous mould vs. mildew

According to The Spruce the most common type of mould found in homes is mildew. Mildew is a surface mould that grows in warm, damp places like your bathroom and on fabrics and books stored in damp basements. Mildew begins as a gray or white powdery colony. It will turn black or brown if not removed promptly and often looks like soil accumulation. To test if the surface is covered with mildew or just dirt, dab the stain with a cotton swab dipped in household chlorine bleach. If the stain lightens or disappears after two or three minutes, it's mildew. If not, it's probably just dirt.

If you detect a musty smell anywhere in your home, then you have a high concentration of mould. It can be coming from a hamper filled with damp towels, from a damp crawlspace under your home, or from carpets that have mould growing in the padding. If you smell that odor, it's definitely time to take action to get rid of the problem.

All mildew is mould, but not all moulds are mildew. Mildew can discolor and slowly harm surfaces but there are much more dangerous moulds that can damage the structure of your home. If you see a black or green mold that is fuzzy or slimy and the drywall or wood underneath is soft or crumbly, there is irreversible rot, and the mould and the damaged surfaces must be removed immediately.

Products that kill mould

Chlorine bleach: Sodium hypochlorite or regular household bleach works best to destroy mould and remove any discoloration. It is quite harsh and should be diluted before use.

Warning

When working with bleach, use caution to avoid the inhalation of dangerous fumes. Bleach should never be combined with ammonia.

- Hydrogen peroxide: Less harsh than chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide (3% to 10% solution) will kill mould and lighten stains. While it does have a bleaching effect, it works more slowly than chlorine bleach but has no fumes or residue.

- Distilled white vinegar: Vinegar is acidic and slowly breaks down the structure of mould and kills it. Vinegar is relatively gentle, but mold stains may remain and additional scrubbing with a household cleaner may be needed.

- Baking soda and borax: Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and borax each have a high pH that inhibits the growth and survival of mould. Both products are inexpensive, non-toxic, and easy to mix with water. Borax will work better than baking soda for removing any lingering stains, but it is not as effective as a stronger cleaning product.

- Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol may not be as strong as other ingredients to kill mould. But when it is diluted with water in equal parts, rubbing alcohol cleans surfaces without any damage and can help to inhibit the growth of mould and mildew on fabric, leather, and paper.

When using any of these products, do not rinse away the cleaning solution completely. Leaving a bit of the cleaner will help inhibit future mould growth.

How to Remove Mold From Tile and Grout

• Bathroom humidity and body soil on surfaces create the perfect environment for mould growth. There are plenty of commercial cleaners that you can buy, but chlorine bleach and water are just as effective and much less expensive. While cleaning your bathroom's tile and grout, check above to see if there's a need to remove mould on the bathroom ceiling, especially in the shower stall area.
• Simply mix one part bleach to 16 parts water (1 cup of bleach to 1 litre of water)
• With rags and a brush, apply a liberal amount of the mixture to the mould-affected areas. You will need to disinfect the rags and brush after the project to eliminate mould spores.
• Allow the solution to remain on the mouldy area for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing or treating the surface a second time.
• Rinse with water and wipe dry, keeping windows open until fully dry.

Scrub the grout with toothpaste 

Home-Dzine suggests choosing whitening toothpaste for a little extra polish. Again, here's your excuse to get a new electric toothbrush because this job would be much easier with your old one.

Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda into a paste 

When the bubbling stops, apply it to the grout. Let it sit for a while then scrub it off with an old toothbrush.

Once the tile is clean, it's time for a little preventative maintenance. Inspect your grout regularly and apply a commercial grout sealer once a year. 

Keeping grout well sealed makes sure it doesn't become a breeding ground for mould or mildew. To keep your grout looking new, always keep the grout dry and take care of small stains as soon as they happen.