Ventilation is one of the best ways to remove moisture from the bathroom and eradicate mould on bathroom surfaces. Always open the window and turn on the fan, and you can also leave the bathroom curtain and door open so moisture can dissipate through the house.
Here are the most common causes for mould in your bathroom: Lingering moisture caused by lack of ventilation. Leaky pipes, taps and toilets seeping into plasterboard and wood. Damp cellulose materials such as grout, plasterboard and fabric provide the ideal breeding ground for bathroom mould.
The experts all agreed that ventilation is the key to preventing mould from returning. Sarah said: “Mould is caused by a number of factors, but essentially, it's a mix of excessive moisture, cold temperatures and poor air circulation. So, rooms need to be heated and ventilated.
The CDC-informed consensus is that most people don't need to worry much about mold — it's pretty common, and the vast majority aren't “toxic.” Many are allergenic, but even then, you may not be affected at all, unless you're allergic.
Dissolve baking soda into water or water-and-vinegar solution, and spray onto surface. Let it sit, then scrub and wipe with a damp cloth. Baking soda is a natural disinfectant and very mild, so this solution will clean mold without leaving behind a scent.
Preventing Mold Growth with Vinegar
Store a spray bottle of vinegar in the bathroom and mist it over the shower stall after taking a shower, or add vinegar to your mopping solution to prevent mold growth on the floor.
Spray vinegar onto the moldy surface and leave it for an hour. Then wipe the area clean with water and allow the surface to dry. Any smell should clear within a few hours. While it's safe to use on most surfaces, vinegar is unlikely to be effective at cleaning mold off of soft surfaces.
While it is possible to use bleach to kill mold as well, experts agree that vinegar is a much better option. Unlike bleach, vinegar can effectively kill the mold at the root, which means it's less likely to return. Vinegar is also less toxic than bleach, making it a better choice for household use.
Yes, vinegar is a mild acid that kills 82% of mold species. It's often used as a natural and nontoxic alternative to cleaning chemicals when it comes to killing household mold.
Moulds produce allergens (substances that can cause an allergic reaction), irritants and, sometimes, toxic substances. Inhaling or touching mould spores may cause an allergic reaction, such as sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Moulds can also cause asthma attacks.
Poor Ventilation and Leaky Pipes
Mold spores find a perfect area to grow especially when you have leaky pipes. Moisture is one of the major conditions required by molds to grow and failure to cut off any sources of moisture or condensation may never solve the mold problem.
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Black mold is toxic, so it is usually safer to ask professionals to remove it, especially if people in the household have respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies.
Differences Between Mold and Mildew
Mold tends to have a higher profile and can even become fuzzy, while mildew is usually flat. Mold exhibits darker colors such as deep green and black; mildew may begin as white, then turn brown or gray.
Bleach. The most common method of removing mould from grout is through the use of regular domestic bleach.
Chlorine bleach is known to kill mold spores but also disinfect and remove soap residue buildup. Prepare a one-part bleach and four-part water solution in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the moldy grout and let it sit for about 30 minutes.
To remove the black stains that mold leaves on non-porous surfaces like grout, mix equal parts of bleach and water in a spray bottle and spray it over the stained area, allowing it to sit for several minutes. Return and spray the area again, and use a scrub brush to scrub out any remaining discoloration.
To clean mould and mildew and kill their spores you will need white distilled vinegar – the cheapest brand from the supermarket will do just fine. Mix 1 part of vinegar with 1 part water and pour into a spray bottle. Apply the solution onto the mouldy area and leave it to sit for one hour.
So when it comes to removing mold with vinegar, it's best to avoid leaving it overnight and stick with the 30 minutes to 1 hour sitting time.