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How to Remove Bathroom Mold

Bathroom mold is a common challenge for all of us. One simple reason is that this room's abundance of water and humidity makes it the perfect breeding ground for mold.

Mold's tiny seeds, called spores, are lurking in the air virtually everywhere, indoors and out. They're on the hunt for a fertile growing ground to set down roots.

And boy, are our bathrooms appealing thanks to their abundance of water and humidity - the perfect growing ground for mold.

You'll know if you have bathroom mold. You can smell its musty odor - kind of like wet dirt or old books.

More often, you can see it growing on floor tiles and grout in less than appealing shades ranging from white, gray and brown to black, yellow, orange or green.

If mold has set down roots in your home, it needs to go. Stat.

Not only is it unsightly and unclean, it's also a common allergen that causes runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing and more.

Here's what you'll need to remove the mold:

• rubber dishwashing gloves
• a measuring cup
• two buckets
• 2 sponges or rags
• water
• household bleach
  

1. Start by opening the window, if you have one. If you don't, grab a fan and position it so that it blows clean air from other rooms inside.
2. With your gloves on, mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water in one bucket. Swirl it around gently with your gloved hand, making sure none of the mold cleaning mix splashes out.
3. Fill the second bucket with clean water.
4. Using your sponge or rag, wipe the mold cleaning mix onto tile, grout or other moldy areas.
5. Let the solution sit on the surfaces for at least 15 minutes.
6. Rinse, using clean water.
7. Dry surfaces completely. Use towels, paper towels, or a fan.
8. Repeat as needed if you can still see moldy discoloration. If the mold is in a difficult to scrub place, grab an old toothbrush, dip it in the mold cleaning solution, and scrub. Then follow with steps 5 and 6.
9. Once the mold has been removed, mold inhibiting solutions, such as vinegar, can be used to regularly clean surfaces to prevent the mold's return.
   

Preventing Future Mold Growth

In addition to regularly cleaning surfaces with vinegar, one of the most effective ways to prevent future mold growth is reducing humidity to below 55 percent.

You don't have to become number-bound here; simply by turning on the fan during and 5 minutes after you've had a shower or bath you'll significantly lower the humidity.

You'll also want to leave the window or door open after bathing to remove the steam and dry out the air. Once a month, spray your tub or shower with undiluted vinegar to prevent mold. No rinsing required; simply let it dry on its own.

Finally, regular cleaning will prevent new mold growth.

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About the Author

Tara Aronson is a native Californian. Having grown up in San Diego, she studied journalism and Spanish to pursue a career in newspaper writing. Tara, whose three children - Chris, Lyndsay, and Payne - are the light of her life, now lives and writes in Los Angeles. She also regularly appears on television news programs throughout the U.S.