Pesky, frustrating and not the kind of thing anyone wants to wake up to, bathroom mould is one of the most common problems condo and homeowners face.
The good news is, assuming it hasn’t gotten out of control, the mould is relatively easy to get rid of, and even easier to prevent – if you know what you’re doing.
Mould loves damp, dark, isolated places to thrive, and steamy bathrooms provide a perfect environment for mould growth. This is bad news for bathrooms with poor ventilation since a bathroom that stays damp is a breeding ground for bacteria and mould growth.
Mould is most commonly caused by lingering moisture due to a lack of ventilation, and in some instances be caused by leaky toilets, sinks, and plumbing pipes, or damp materials such as rugs, wallpaper, wood, grout, drywall and fabric.
If you see it – black scum clinging to shower curtains, grout, in cracks and corners, etc. – or smell it, you’ve got mould.
Scour your condo bathroom, focusing on “hidden” areas like under the sink, in the rails of shower doors, on bath fixtures and around exhaust fans.
The key to keeping mould at bay is to keep your bathroom dry. First and foremost, run your exhaust fan whenever you shower or bathe, and leave it on for at least 30 minutes at the end of your shower.
Try to keep your household humidity levels below 50 per cent. If you don’t have control of the thermostat, an air conditioner or dehumidifier in that room can help with this.
Use mildew resistant shower curtains or other fabrics in the bathroom, and wash or replace them frequently.
Try not to keep bottles and other products or loofahs and bath puffs in the shower, since they provide a great place for mould to grow.
Wash your bathroom rugs and hand towels frequently, and make sure they are dried well after use.
There are a few steps to take to get rid of existing mould growth in your bathroom.
Clean the bathroom top to bottom with mould-killing products, like bleach, vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Next, strip away and replace any caulking or sealant that has mould growth, ensuring to ventilate the area properly. For hard to reach places and to give the grout a good scrub, try using an old toothbrush dipped in your cleaning solution.
After everything is clean and shining, apply a sealer to the grout to help prevent mould from returning. If you aren’t able to remove all the mould, just replace that section. Use a flat screwdriver to scrape out the old grout and then apply a new grout mixture.
If you are uncertain or don’t feel comfortable, contact your condominium property management company, who can assist you in addressing your mould issues.