Damp and mould is a common problem in many UK homes, which may seem like a small cosmetic issue to start with, but if left untreated for too long it can lead to major health implications. One of the most common places for mould to grow in your home is the bathroom. This is because it provides the perfect environment for it to flourish, with condensation constantly being created by hot steam from the bath or shower hitting cooler surfaces such as tiles and windows. It also provides plenty of dark corners and porous materials for it to feed on and spread.
But don't worry too much if you've spotted mould in your bathroom, you're definitely not alone. Read our How To Guide below to learn about what might have caused it, how to remove it and how to prevent it from returning.
3 Types of Mould and What Might Be The Cause
BLACK MOULD - One of the most common types of mould you might already know about is black mould, or its scientific name is Stachybotrys chartarum. It is a dark-coloured fungi mostly caused by excess condensation due to poor ventilation and thrives on water-damaged environments commonly found in bathrooms such as walls, ceilings, grout & sealants. A bathroom also provides plenty of dark hidden areas behind toilets, under sinks and inside bath panels where black mould could be growing but you might not notice.
GREEN MOULD - Cladosporium is another very common type of mould found in bathrooms that appears as dark green, brown or black and forms as patches on damp surfaces such as painted walls, wallpaper, shower curtains and behind your toilet or sink. You'll find it has a velvety or powdery texture that's quite different from black mould. This type of mould can grow at lower moisture levels than many other moulds and easily spreads through airborne spores. Again this type of mould is caused by high humidity and poor ventilation meaning once it's been removed there are many efficient ways to prevent its return. This type of mould, among many others, feeds on common bathroom materials such as dust, soap scum, skin cells and fabric like shower curtains and towels, meaning bathrooms make the perfect breeding ground.
WHITE MOULD - Aspergillus is a white, grey, yellow or green mould that appears as fuzzy, powdery thick patches. It most commonly grows around shower tiles, grout and caulking, or on areas that stay damp such as bath mats, towels or shower curtains. Mostly caused by undetected water leaks, porous surfaces and again thriving in moist, warm, poorly ventilated environments. This type of mould can form persistent 'biofilms' that stick to surfaces like inside shower heads, faucets and drains, making it more resilient to cleaning and surviving much longer if not treated properly.
The list on types of mould is long, but the common causes for mould in bathrooms remain mostly similar, as well as how to remove mould once you've noticed its existence.
How To Remove Mould
While the general guideline on how to remove mould is mostly the same, the effectiveness and method can vary depending on the type of mould, the surface its grown on and if it forms a biofilm. Here's a couple of ways we recommend removing mould from your bathroom with household disinfectants you might already have in your home or can find cheap at most supermarkets.
- DRY AND VENTILATE - All mould needs moisture to grow, so opening windows and making good use of a extractor fan is the perfect place to start to reduce humidity and limiting moulds chance for surviving. This is especially important in colder winter months when a colder bathroom mixed with warm steam will create more condensation.
- PROTECT YOURSELF - It's important that you take precautions and wear protective gear like gloves, masks and even goggles when cleaning mould to avoid inhaling spores.
- CHOOSE THE DISINFECTANT - With a few options to choose from we can often be left unsure which method will work best. Here's just a few options to choose from.
- Mould Spray - A quick easy fix opposed to a DIY option, mould sprays are available in most supermarkets or online. They're usually as simple as spraying the affected surface directly, allowing it to sit for 10-15 minutes and then using a brush or sponge to scrub the mould away. It's essential to focus on corners, grout lines and textured surfaces for a effective clean and prevent its return. Wipe all dead mould away with a damp cloth and rinse then dry if necessary. All mould sprays should come with manufacturers instructions which we recommend you follow directly.
- Bleach - You'll probably find this in the cupboard under your sink and makes for an effective mould destroyer. This works well on non-porous surfaces such as tiles and glass, therefore a different approach should be taken if the mould is on wood or drywall. Mix 1 part bleach with 10 parts water in a spray bottle or bucket and never mix with ammonia or vinegar as this produces toxic gases. Spray or wipe the area thoroughly but try not to overdo it, let it sit for 10-15 minutes to work, gently scrub the mould away and then rinse and dry the area down when finished. Always safely dispose of used cloths or brushes and wear protection when cleaning with bleach.
- White vinegar - A safe and inexpensive method to remove mould making it a popular choice for many. Simply pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray directly onto the mouldy area, thoroughly saturating it to make it most effective. Let it soak for an hour or two without scrubbing or rinsing away, the vinegars acidity can kill about 82% of mould spores when left to saturate for a couple of hours. Scrub away the mould effected area with a brush, sponge or an old toothbrush works wonders for targeting those hard to reach corners and grout lines. Finally wipe clean with a damp cloth to remove any residue and dry the area completely to prevent moisture from returning.
How to prevent mould
Once you've successfully removed mould from your bathroom, it is just as important to make sure you reduce its chance of returning.
VENTILATION - As already mentioned above, its really important that you invest in a good ventilation system to use during and after baths or showers to keep condensation from forming in your bathroom. Seen as mould mostly grows in areas of damp, it seems a good idea to remove as much condensation as possible, giving the mould less chance of finding areas to grow. Our selection of ceiling or wall mounted extractor fans are designed for quiet operation and maintain air quality while remaining powerful and long-lasting.
WIPE DOWN DAMP AREAS- Wiping down fixtures after a hot steamy shower or bath might seem like too much effort when you just want to relax, but making this a regular routine can help save your bathroom and health in the future. As condensation drips down the walls it then settles into crevices like grout, sealant and behind taps or toilets. Make a habit of using simple tools like squeegees to drag down all the moisture from your shower screen or tiles and then dry off around your bathtub or shower tray.
KEEP SURFACES CLEAN - Regular cleaning of tiles, grout and other surfaces weekly is key to preventing mould from returning. Reducing clutter gives it less surface to spread onto and less dark corners to encourage growth. Pair this with regular washing and drying of textures such as towels, bath mats and shower curtains to keep everything mould free. Doing this means that you're always checking common problem areas closely and can target mould before it spreads further.
HEATING - Mould grows easier on cold, damp surfaces - therefore combined with the above preventions, keeping your heating on at temperatures around 18-22 degrees can reduce condensation due to narrowing the temperature gap between air and surfaces. However keep in mind that heating your bathroom without appropriate ventilation can make mould worse!
Is Mould In My Bathroom Dangerous?
Now you know the most common causes of mould in bathrooms, a few different types of mould, how to remove it and how to prevent it showing up or returning back - why is it such a big deal to remove it as soon as possible?
Exposure to mould can be potentially dangerous depending on the type of mould spores you're breathing in, sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate between the types of mould we face, therefore its much easier to tackle it no matter what to avoid unnecessary health implications. If you have mould in your home you're more likely to experience a few of the following common symptoms.
- Respiratory - coughing, wheezing & shortness of breath
- Eye irritation - Itchy eyes, redness or watery eyes
- Skin reactions - Itchy skin, rashes, hives & eczema flare-ups
- Throat & sinus - Sore or scratchy throat, sinus congestion or pressure & headaches linked to sinus inflammation
While babies, older adults, anyone with allergies or asthma and people with weaker immune systems are most at risk, everyone's individual immune systems vary massively, so we wouldn't recommend taking a risk by ignoring mould until it becomes a bigger & more visible issue.