How to Safely Clean Mold in Your Home
Mold is a common fungus that thrives in damp and humid environments. Home bathrooms are especially good environment for mold to spread. Thus, the importance for all homeowners to learn how to clean mold in showers safely.
Even if a little bit of mold develops in a shower, it will spread immediately and quickly. If you notice some mold developing in your shower, it is important to know how to clean mold in showers safely and quickly.
Here is a guide to help you know how to clean mold in showers effectively:
Different Types of Mold
There are many different types of mold that can develop in your bathroom and especially in your shower. They come in a variety of colors and some might be toxic while others may be non-toxic. Knowing which mold is in your shower can help you figure out the best and most effective way to remove it.
Pink Mold
Pink mold is not necessarily a toxic mold such as black mold. However, it does have some health risks associated to it when in close contact. It has been known to cause respiratory issues and urinary tract infections.
It is not actually a mold but an airborne organism that expands in damp environments like mold. Pink mold can be commonly found in bathtubs, showers, and grout. It can also be found in bathroom tiles and lining.
Green Mold
Green mold is both the easiest type of mold to see and toughest to identify. This is because there are different types of mold that are green in color. Green mold especially likes to grow on decomposed vegetables and spoiled foods, especially citrus fruits.
Green mold can develop with toxic black mold in environments that are continuously damp such as rooms that have been flooded or have a leak. Thus, showers are a prime environment for green mold to develop.
It is important to know how to clean mold in showers that might have green mold growing because this mold can lead to many health problems. Aspergillosis is a lung disease caused by breathing in large amounts of mold spores.
White Mold
White mold is a very common mold that can be found in drier environments as well such as carpet, dry wall, and wood. White mold in showers can often be difficult to identify because of its light color. White mold will also have a feathery or powdery texture.
Because many homeowners do not identify white mold as quickly as other molds, it can often be the source of health issues in homes. White mold can often be more dangerous than the more well-known black mold. It can cause allergies, respiratory infections, headaches, and nausea.
Red Mold
Red mold is most commonly found in bread but can also prosper in showers because of the humidity. It is also commonly found on shower curtains, tile, and grout. It can thrive alongside green and black mold.
Red mold has the same respiratory health issues that other different types of mold can cause. It is important to know how to clean this mold in showers safely.
Black Mold
Black mold is the most well-known household mold. While it is most commonly thought of as toxic, not all forms of black mold are toxic. You are most likely to find black mold in bathroom walls especially those that might be exposed to a water leak.
Black mold, whether the toxic variety or not, can be dangerous to your family’s health. It is important to know how to clean mold in showers safely and to effectively remove black mold in bathrooms.
What Causes Mold
In 2009, the World Health Organization conducted a study of the correlation between damp indoor environments and respiratory issues such as asthma. Dampness and humidity are the main causes of mold.
Humidity in the home is often found in areas such as bathrooms and showers. In order to prevent mold from developing in these environments, it is important to use a dehumidifier to help create a drier environment. It can also help to shower with an open window to help keep your bathroom well ventilated.
Leaks within your walls can also cause mold to develop in your home. Shower and bathroom walls are especially susceptible to water leaks. It is important to detect these leaks early on by checking for water stains and to know when your pipes might need to be replaced.
Cleaning And Preventing Mold
Informing yourself on how to clean mold in showers safely involves knowing the best techniques to remove mold and to prevent it. No matter what you use to remove and clean mold in showers, it is important to wear protection from being exposed to spores that can affect your health. Always wear protective gloves, face masks, and even goggles when cleaning mold.
The earlier you identify mold in your shower the easier it will be to remove it. Start off with gentle and natural cleaning agents before resorting to bleach. In a spray bottle mix together vinegar and baking soda and then apply liberally to the area. In larger surface areas of your shower you can simply wipe off the solution with a cloth or sponge. In smaller areas such as grout you may want to use a small brush such as toothbrush to scrub the area clean.
If you find that the mold is still developing after using this solution, using a stronger chemical based solution such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide might be more effective. These chemicals can also offer a stronger solution to prevent further mold growth. Another simple but effective way to prevent mold growth is to clean your shower weekly and air out the shower to prevent excess humidity.
Identifying different types of mold and knowing how to clean mold in showers can help you to eliminate potential health risks in your home. Mold may be a common household issue but it can easily be prevented with effective measures.
