5 Ways to Prevent Mold from Invading Your Bathroom

16 Dec 5 Ways to Prevent Mold from Invading Your Bathroom

Mold loves bathrooms! They provide the constant humidity and warmth that mold craves. Plus, there are lots of organic materials in bathrooms—from the wood of walls, doors, and window sills to the fibers of towels and bathroom rugs—that can keep mold “fed” and growing. At Pure Maintenance NE, we often get asked for advice on how to prevent mold from growing in bathrooms. Here’s a rundown of our top five tips for keeping your bathroom mold-free. 

How to Prevent Mold in the Bathroom

1: Eliminate Moisture

Water is one of the main elements that mold needs to live and thrive. It doesn’t need a ton of water—just a bit of condensation in the bottom corner of a shower or on a windowsill gives mold all the moisture it needs to grow. Our top tip for preventing mold in a bathroom is to eliminate moisture and humidity as much as possible. Open bathroom windows and doors after showering and run the fan (if you have one) to help dry out bathroom surfaces quickly. 

2: Cool It Down

Opening bathroom windows and doors after a shower not only helps remove moisture, it also cools down the temperature in the bathroom. Mold—especially toxic black mold—loves to be warm, so cooling down the bathroom can help keep mold at bay. For extra protection, try to not take overly-hot showers that create a lot of steam and can make the bathroom harder to cool off.

3: Keep Fabrics Clean and Dry

Many bathroom rugs and towels consist of natural fibers such as cotton. These organic materials provide “food” that helps mold grow. Frequently cleaning bath towels, mats, and rugs and ensuring they are thoroughly dry will keep them free from mold. If your bath towels or bath mats ever smell musty, it could be a sign of mold. If you notice a funky odor, get some laundry started immediately. 

4: Light It Up

We also get questions about how to prevent mold in a bathroom without a window. One of the best ways to do this is by adding light. Bright light—especially natural sunlight—is the enemy of mold. Ensuring you have a bright light in your bathroom helps make sure there are no dark spots for mold to hide. 

5: Consider Preventive Measures

Homeowners always want to know how to prevent mold from growing in their bathroom ceilings. In addition to following the tips we outlined above, we suggest taking a protective measure by using mold-resistant paint on bathroom ceilings, walls, and even cabinetry. There are many paint options to choose from, just remember not to apply new paint over any existing mold. If you have mold in your bathroom, you’ll need to get it removed by a certified mold remediation specialist before applying mold-resistant paint.

Bathroom Mold Removal in Plymouth, Massachusetts

The best way to prevent mold in the bathroom is to get professional mold remediation. While bathroom mold is sometimes visible on walls, ceilings, showers, and sinks, it can also be hiding behind the walls or inside the plumbing. For those hard-to-see areas, you need a qualified mold remediation specialist who can fully assess the situation and provide thorough mold removal to keep you and your family safe. If you suspect there is mold in your bathroom, call Pure Maintenance NE today at 401-205-3825 to schedule a free mold inspection. 

Photo courtesy Tim Gouw on Pexels