If you find yourself with a mouldy bathroom, this article will show you how to fix it. Mould is one of those problems that can be difficult to get rid of and usually requires professional help. However, if the mold is relatively new and not too much has grown on your walls or in your grout lines then there are things that you can do at home to kill the mould quickly and prevent it from coming back.
Mould thrive in moist environments so it is important to clean up all the mould that you can, as quickly as possible. You don't have to worry about ruining your paint job with vinegar - just be careful not to let any drip onto surfaces where you want them intact. Spray or pour undiluted white vinegar on the affected areas and leave it there for at least an hour or longer if needed. The idea is no scrubbing but rather allowing the acidity of the vinegar do its thing by sitting long enough for it dissolve anything growing on your wall without being too harsh on your walls itself. When you are ready, wipe away any remaining gunk (with a sponge) and rinse thoroughly (again, use care here).
If you have been having a lot of humidity in your bathroom lately then it is likely the culprit behind the mould growth. Reduce this moisture as much as possible to prevent future outbreaks and try keeping damp towels off of shower walls or tiles whenever possible. This will cut down on how often you need to clean things up which will be helpful.
If your bathroom is always moist or you have a bathtub that gets lots of use then it might be worth the money to install an exhaust fan which will not only help get rid of excess moisture but any mould spores too. When installing this type of fan, make sure to put it somewhere outside so shower steam doesn't just turn into a humid bathroom once again.
You have probably heard the old adage "moisture attracts mould" so it should come as no surprise that keeping your floors dry is a good idea. You can do this by using bath mats, cleaning up spills quickly and choosing flooring materials wisely (avoid tiles or vinyl if possible). If you keep on top of things like grout lines, you shouldn't have to worry about any mould growing in them.
Mould love to grow in cracks and crevices so take the time to seal these up where you find them. If there are any openings around windows, doors or light fixtures then cover these areas with spackle (or caulking) after cleaning thoroughly. Then paint this over when dry for a clear finish that will keep mould away while also looking nice.
If you have leaking pipes anywhere in your bathroom then it is only a matter of time before mould spots appear on the walls or even on items resting against them (like towels). A small drip from a faucet can be enough to cause this problem so get any leaks fixed right away and take care not to let musty odours linger in the air.
If you don't want to redo all of your walls (and even if you do) then simply cover the mouldy area with a thick layer of drywall compound and let it dry before sanding away. You can also use paint, spackle or caulking but make sure not to apply any over moisture as this might lead to mould growth. If you have a large area to cover then it might be worth cutting into multiple coats (drying between each one) until the mouldy areas are no longer.
If possible, try not to keep your bathroom door closed when showering or bathing as this will lead to moisture building up over time. Open the windows and turn on any fans that you have in your bathroom to help get things going. This will cut down on steam, odours and of course mould spores so keep it up whenever possible.
You have learned a lot about preventing mould growth in your bathroom. There are lots of easy ways to keep things clean and dry so be sure to implement these methods when you can. It will make for an easier time keeping up with cleaning from now on, especially if you put it all into practice.
