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Part 1 of 8 in the bathroom & mould series
- Run bathroom fans often
- Leave the shower curtain open enough to air dry
Shower mould is the anathema of even the most dedicated and enthusiastic housekeeper; it can feel all but impossible to totally remove mould stains, and the mould itself often resurfaces with alarming rapidity. Adding to the stress of having such an unsightly blemish in one’s bathroom, most of us are aware that mould carries real health risks, such as nasal and throat irritation, coughing and wheezing, eye irritation, and toxic reactions that can manifest as flu-like symptoms, skin infections, and even pneumonia.
Is Black Mould in The shower Dangerous?
Black mould, scientifically known as Stachybotrys chartarum is the most harmful of mould varieties. It may present itself in showers with a lack of or minimal ventilation, lack of proper shower maintenance, cleaning and or problems with plumbing and drainage.
You can expect to find black mould in the silicone seal of your shower and in the grout between the tiles. If you’re certain that you have a black mould infestation in your shower, this guide may not be of use to you. Call a mould remediation professional in your city to remove this health hazard professionally.
What products should you use for DIY Shower Mould Cleaning
Mould cleaning products that you might pick up from your local supermarket are proven to be ineffective against large quantities of black mould in your shower.
They contain minimal amounts of bleach, and as such won’t be useful for mould that is penetrating below surfaces like the silicone in your shower. Generally, the best solution for ridding your shower of black mould is a simple spray bottle and a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
Further, regular using a strong bleaching solution on your shower tiles and grout can cause lasting damage to the porous material.
To reiterate, if you’ve got a larger infestation, your best course of action would be to contact a professional. However, if there are small spreads of mould in your shower silicone or grout, prevention is generally more effective than cure. That means investing in humidifiers, fixing inadequate sources of ventilation, proper home maintenance and making sure not to have carpeted areas near wet areas.
How to Get Rid of Shower Mould
Fortunately, if you’re wondering how to get rid of stubborn shower mould, you’ve come to the right place: The five strategies below will have your bathroom gleaming and mould-free in no time:
Mould on surfaces
For mould on hard surfaces, combine 1/2 cup of 3-per cent hydrogen peroxide and 1 cup of warm water in a spray bottle, then spray the solution in and around your shower stall (make sure to include the floor). Let the mixture sit for a full hour so that it can soak in and kill the mould, then scrub the shower area vigorously with a stiff-bristled brush and piping hot water.
Stubborn mould
For very stubborn mould, try quaternary ammonium household cleaners. These don’t actually contain ammonia, contrary to what the name suggests; they are composed of specialised anti-bacterial salts which are very effective at killing mould-far more effective than bleach. Just be sure to follow all of the safety precautions on the label as these cleaners are quite potent.
Don’t neglect your shower curtain
Wash your shower curtain regularly. For a quick and effective clean, place your shower curtain in the washing machine along with an assortment of towels and cloths; these will both protect the curtain and act as “scrubbers” during the washing process. You should also add a 1/2 cup of bicarbonate soda to the water for a bit of extra abrasive action. After the shower curtain has been washed (using hot water and a cold rinse cycle), hang it out to dry. Allow it to dry completely before using it again.
Mould in grout
To clean grout, mix 7 cups of warm water with 1/2 cup of baking soda,1/3 cup of ammonia, and 1/4 cup of white vinegar blend thoroughly, then pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray the grout and let the mixture sit for at least five minutes before scrubbing with a hard-bristled brush. Repeat as necessary, rinsing away dirty water between applications.
Prevention
To prevent mould from recurring, run your bathroom fans frequently. You should also shake off your shower curtain after each shower or bath, and be sure not to close it so completely that it cannot air dry.
Again, we cannot stress this enough, if you have a large infestation of black mould in your shower, you need to contact mould remediation experts or a mould cleaning company immediately.
For more information on bathroom cleaning, read more of our blog today.
| What you notice | What to do |
|---|---|
| Mould on hard shower surfaces | 1/2 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide in 1 cup warm water; wait an hour, scrub |
| Very stubborn mould | Quaternary ammonium cleaner, following all label safety precautions |
| Mouldy shower curtain | Machine wash with towels and 1/2 cup bicarb, hot wash, cold rinse |
| Mould keeps coming back | Run bathroom fans; shake out the curtain and leave it open to dry |
| A large black mould infestation | Contact a mould remediation specialist and fix the moisture source |
When to call a professional
Surface mould on shower tiles and grout can be treated during a professional deep clean. Black mould that has spread widely, keeps coming back quickly or has got under the silicone needs a mould remediation specialist, along with a fix for the ventilation, plumbing or drainage problem behind it.
