Removing mould in the bathroom: How it really works (+ checklist)

You suddenly discover green-black stains in the grout lines of your bathroom tiles that are not easy to remove? Then you have mould in the bathroom - and a steadfast problem.

Mould develops where high humidity collides with heat. Since it is a fungus, bathroom mould also produces spores and can be harmful to health in the long run. Therefore, mould should always be removed as soon as possible.

Mould is everywhere and is a completely normal part of the air. You cannot avoid them, but their concentration in the air is so low that they normally have no effect on health.

However, if the exposure increases in a confined space, it can become a health risk. Especially for older people, whose immune systems are weaker, this can be dangerous.

Continue reading the article if you want to know what you can do to remove mould in the bathroom and learn simple tips for preventing mould growth in the bathroom.

Why does mould develop in the bathroom?

Moulds like moisture. They grow mainly in warm and humid environments and distribute themselves in the room by forming mould spores.

Bathrooms and showers fulfil the optimal living conditions for mould and are therefore most frequently affected. When bathing or showering, condensation forms on the walls, ceilings and surfaces. The water cannot drain off properly and accumulates.

The resulting high humidity contributes to mould growth. Black discolouration of the joints and a musty smell indicate mould infestation.

This is how you can reduce the humidity in the bathroom »

Silicone joints offer mould spores a good reason to adhere, but shower curtains also quickly become victims of mould infestation.

The water vapour causes the moisture and heat in the bathroom to build up after showering and the mould attacks the joints, shower curtain and corners in the bathroom.

With a few simple tips and tricks, you can prevent mould growth and remove existing mould. Most of the remedies are easy to implement and inexpensive.

Tips: To prevent mould, ventilate your bathroom after showering or bathing. Misted windows and mirrors are indications of high humidity in the room, which contributes to mould growth.

How to avoid mould in the bathroom

You can prevent mould infestation in the bathroom by ensuring good air circulation. Accumulated heat and the formation of condensation on surfaces favour fungal infestation.

Closed shower cubicles or cubicles with shower curtains are particularly susceptible to mould infestation. Moisture and heat build up in the enclosed space, allowing mould to grow well in the bathroom.

How can you remove mould in the bathroom?

1. Dry the shower walls thoroughly with a towel or cloth after showering.
2. Leave the cubicle door or shower curtain open for a long time after showering so that the accumulated steam can escape.
3. Spread out stuck shower curtains so that they dry and mould cannot form in the folds.
4. Clean the cubicle walls and silicone joints regularly to prevent mould.
5. Install dehumidifiers to minimise moisture formation and thus mould growth.
6. Use fans if you have a bathroom without windows. By circulating the air, moisture is minimised and mould growth is prevented.

The innovative dehumidifier from Duschkraft efficiently reduces the humidity in the bathroom air, fogged mirrors and mould and is easy to find on the Internet.

The dehumidifiers can also be retrofitted or integrated directly into the bathroom during new construction.

They extract the steam produced during showering so that the rooms cannot become damp in the first place. Thus, it is a good preventive measure to avoid having trouble with mould in the bathroom.

How to remove mould in bathrooms?

Mould settles in different places in the bathroom. Often the tile joints, tiles or walls are affected. But the risk of mould growth is also high in the shower cubicle. Surfaces should therefore be allowed to dry well so that no mould stains develop.

To remove mould thoroughly, there are many different products, cleaners and household remedies.

The best cleaners and household remedies against mould are:

1. Chlorine cleaners: Cleaners containing chlorine are particularly aggressive and have an intense odour. Like mould itself, they can cause respiratory problems. However, chlorine cleaner kills even the smallest spores in the grout joints and helps you get rid of the annoying mould infestation within 15 minutes. If necessary, the grout joints can be cleaned with a grout brush.
2. Alcohol or methylated spirits: Alcohol (70%) is well suited as a remedy for silicone joints. As the silicone is soft, mould can grow through the material and cause damage. Therefore, if silicone joints are infested, it is important to act quickly. Alcohol is probably available in every home and can be used quickly to fight mould. Thus, the mould spores do not stand a chance.
3. Hydrogen peroxide: Also used as a home remedy for mould control. It reduces mould infestation and thus the chance that the mould can form spores.
4. Sodium bicarbonate: A popular home remedy for removing mould in the bathroom. To clean, it should be mixed with water to form a paste and applied to the surfaces with a toothbrush and then rinsed with water.
5. Vinegar: Vinegar is one of the household remedies that can be found in every home and is also good if you want to remove mould in the bathroom.

Tips: Use gloves and respirators when cleaning with chemical products to avoid irritating your skin and respiratory tract. Choir cleaner should never be combined with acidic products, as the reaction can produce toxic chlorine gas. First try to eliminate mould in the bathroom with the listed home remedies such as vinegar, alcohol or baking soda before resorting to chemical products.

Why is mould dangerous?

Mould is a risk to your health! Mould spreads in the air by forming spores. The mould spores not only infest joints, walls and shower curtains, but can also be hazardous to your health.

Respiratory problems, problems with concentration, asthma and headaches are among the problems caused by mould. Especially allergy sufferers, people with weakened immune systems and other health problems should minimise the health risk and take timely action and remove mould from the bathroom.

By taking preventive measures in everyday life such as regular ventilation, reducing humidity in the bathroom and shower by opening a window and removing dust, you can control the air and its quality in your rooms and prevent mould stains from forming.

What types of mould are there in the bathroom?

There are over 250,000 different types of mould, including yeast and penicillin, the least of which are usually harmful to humans. It is species that pose a health risk that become a problem.

In the bathroom, it is precisely mould that feels at home and poses a risk to our health. For this reason, mould in the bathroom should be removed as soon as it is noticed.

The following types of mould are often found in bathrooms:

Black mould (Aspergillus niger): Black mould is harmful to health. It attacks food, but is also often found in the bathroom, where conditions are good. Some of its subspecies can be the cause of respiratory problems and allergies, especially in people with certain pre-existing conditions. Black mould is very aggressive and also attacks glass, metal or stone. It loves moisture and spreads through fungal spores on tiles, walls and other places in the bathroom and quickly becomes a problem under perfect conditions.

Yellow mould (Aspergillus flavus): Yellow mould can also secrete harmful fungal toxins and thus poses a health risk. It has a dry, flaky appearance and is usually found on seeds such as peanuts or maize. In the bathroom, it is often mistaken for limescale or simply overlooked because of its light colour.

Green mould (Aspergillus fumigatus): Green mould most commonly spreads on food, but can also spread to the home. It can also produce toxins that are harmful to health. Green mould should also be removed quickly.

Tips: Check your home regularly for mould infestation and pay particular attention to damp places, such as the bathroom or other rooms, to see if mould has spread. It is best not to forget to check your shower curtain, because fungal spores can also settle there via the air and have an impact on your health.

Checklist: Remove mould and mould spores in the bathroom

• Ventilate regularly: Proper ventilation in the bathroom is one of the most important measures to prevent mould in the bathroom. Regardless of the temperature, mould finds ideal conditions in high humidity. The bathroom window should therefore be fully opened several times a day for at least 10 minutes.
• Tilt the window: Between periods of shock ventilation, the windows should remain tilted so that the humid air can escape. This way you minimise the high humidity in the shower and bathroom.
• Dehumidifier: If you don't have a window in the bathroom or can only air it out at irregular intervals, you can use a dehumidifier to prevent mould in the bathroom.
• Keep the shower open: After showering, keep the cubicle open so that the air can circulate.
• Keep the bathroom door closed: To prevent the moist air from spreading throughout the flat and supporting mould growth there, it is recommended to keep the bathroom door closed.
• Use a fan in a windowless bathroom: Place a fan in your bathroom if there is no window. This way you can drive the moisture out of the bathroom and prevent condensation on the tiles. This way you don't give mould a chance in the bathroom.
• Heating: The optimal temperature in the bathroom is between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius.
• Do not hang up wet laundry: Avoid hanging and drying wet laundry in the bathroom.
• Dry wet spots: Dry wet spots in the shower cubicle with a cloth or towel after showering so that the moisture does not remain in the bathroom longer than necessary.

If you follow these points, you will improve the climate in your home and prevent mould from forming and spreading in the bathroom. It is often possible to remove mould from the bathroom with a simple remedy.

Summary

Removing mould in the bathroom is possible, but time-consuming. In the best case, you can get ahead of the spores and prevent mould from growing in the first place. To prevent mould growth, you should keep the humidity in the bathroom low - this can be done by regularly airing and drying wet areas after showering and by installing a dehumidifier even while showering. This will prevent moisture from accumulating in the room. You not only protect your walls, tiles and grout from mouldy stains, but also your health.

Leave the shower cubicle open after showering so that the warm and moist air can escape.

If the yeast has already spread, you can use the above tips to remove mould in the bathroom. It is best to first use household remedies such as vinegar, alcohol or baking soda to avoid allergies caused by cleaning agents containing chlorine.

If the mould is persistent and difficult to remove, use more aggressive products. Be aware of your safety when doing so. Use gloves and respirators to avoid irritation of the skin and mucous membranes by toxic gases.

Due to the complexities of mould prevention and removal, we have developed the perfect dehumidifier for the bathroom - with the help of our DUSCHKRAFT Home, you won't have to worry about mould in the bathroom again!