Shower mold is a common problem in many homes. While mold can be present in any room of your house, it's more likely to grow in moist and humid areas, like the bathroom. Shower mold is unsightly, but it can also cause health problems for you and your family if left untreated.
Mould grows wherever dark, damp conditions go untouched. It doesn't take much moisture to encourage mould growth. The humidity and warmth in your shower are enough to make a nice home for black (or “toxic”) mould growth. You don't have to touch mould for it to affect your health.
Why does my bathroom get mold so fast? Bathrooms that have a lot of moisture and humidity can cause an environment that is perfect for mold to grow. Make sure to keep bathrooms clean and dry and repair any leaks. Open windows and doors.
Black mold is a fungus that grows in warm, damp areas. Its spores may mistakenly trigger an allergic reaction in your immune system. An allergic reaction to black mold may cause various symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, congestion and irritated eyes. However, it rarely makes people very sick.
Wipe Wet Surfaces Down Regularly
Mould grows on moisture-rich surfaces, which are plentiful in the bathroom. To prevent this, wear rubber gloves and wipe wet surfaces regularly. Don't forget to wipe down the bathtub, the bathroom door, and other surfaces to prevent spores from taking root.
Differences Between Mold and Mildew
Mold tends to have a higher profile and can even become fuzzy, while mildew is usually flat. Mold exhibits darker colors such as deep green and black; mildew may begin as white, then turn brown or gray.
Bleach is the most effective method for removing mold from shower grout. Method One: Make a solution of one-part bleach and four-parts water, and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area and scrub with a brush after 30 minutes. Rinse with water and repeat if necessary.
When searching for black mold, look for circular-shaped spots that are black, dark green or dark brown. Some black mold can also take on shades of orange or have flecks of white within it. Most of the time, black mold has a slightly furry appearance.
Whether you become an industrious shower cleaner-upper or not, Tierno says mold isn't likely to pose any major health risk to the average person. “Any fungus can be allergenic,” he says. “You can develop an allergy or exacerbate an allergy if you expose yourself long enough to a fungus.
Exposure at any time puts you at risk for respiratory ailments, headaches, skin irritation, and more. For these reasons, we recommend that you move to eliminate the mold in your bathroom as quickly as possible.
A quick summary: they all suggest that the shower needs a little daily TLC and a good cleaning once a week. After all, shower care is just as much about prevention as it is about upkeep.
mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem.
Although the shower is an escape for most people, having it too hot and on for too long can cause issues in your bathroom. The number one issue caused by long and hot showers is mold growth.
Check for a dark black or brown color, musty smell, a slimy or chalky texture, and water damage. Those are the signs of toxic black mold.
This ideal habitat is created every time you take a bath or shower, or simply wash your hands or face in warm water in the bathroom sink. Other microscopic organisms and dust in the air and on the surfaces in your bathroom then feed the mold, resulting in it spreading rather rapidly.
Mold generally looks slimy or fuzzy, tends to have a raised texture, and can come in a rainbow of colors, including deep green and black. Mildew is powdery, looks white or gray, always appears flat, and grows on surfaces.
Mold can also grow on showerheads, which can also cause health issues, such as lung irritation, coughing and wheezing.
If you find black mold on your property, there's no need to panic. But black mold presents more health risks to sensitive groups like those with respiratory conditions or immune conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), black mold spores can generate cold- or flu-like symptoms such as: Stuffy nose.
Pay attention to the color and consistency: We already talked about black mold above, though it's more accurate to say that Stachybotrys chartarum has a greenish-black hue. Toxic mold can also have a grayish, soot-like texture, or a slimy, wet surface. In some cases, you may even notice furry orange or brown spots.
What are the effects of black mold exposure? Black mold does not affect everyone in the same way, but those with an allergy or sensitivity to the spores may experience symptoms such as congestion, red eyes, respiratory problems, skin rashes and so on. In some cases, an infection may occur. Mold is a type of fungus.
Bleach. The most common method of removing mould from grout is through the use of regular domestic bleach. Ensuring you're wearing a mask to keep you from inhaling any toxic fumes, this method involves scrubbing bleach directly onto mouldy areas of your grouting using a stiff bristle brush or old toothbrush.
Mold needs to be entirely eradicated; otherwise, it will grow right back. This means that you have to clean far below the visible areas of growth with the right penetrating biocides. Simply wiping down your walls with some bleach or household cleaners might not be enough to get rid of a black mold problem permanently.
Black mold is toxic, so it is usually safer to ask professionals to remove it, especially if people in the household have respiratory conditions like asthma or allergies.
Mildew is typically a light color, most often gray, but white and yellow are also possible. It will appear fuzzy, fluffy, or powdery. On the other hand, mold tends to be dark green or black. It can look fuzzy, but you may also see it appear slimy, like mildew.