How to Get Rid of Black Mold in Your Shower

By
|

This post may contain affiliate links. When you buy through some links on this post, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Mold thrives in environments of moisture and heat. Your bathroom is a perfect target for these tiny microbes, considering water greatly enters this room. You have a toilet, sink, and bathtub that all use water. Some people even have a separate shower.

Because the water is so prevalent in this room, there is a high chance that you might get a mold problem in your shower.

Keep reading to know how to prevent mold in the shower.

Whenever you think of mold, you might think of the gross green and black splotches that get everywhere. However, mold can get into the tiniest crevices in your bathroom, even around your bathtub or shower. Mold can get in the grout and even in the caulk. Even the sink drain can become mold-infested. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to prevent this.

Many of these things can be done on a day-to-day basis. If you don’t want mold in your bathroom, there are a few ways to do it.

How to Spot Mold in the Bathroom

Whether in the shower, toilet, or sink, mold might lurk. Mold is a terrible thing to have in your home, considering it can cause a lot of different health concerns. Respiratory problems become more of an issue with mold around. People sensitive to mold might have a few more problems than normal.

Even in the shower, mold spores can easily enter someone’s lungs. If it’s black mold, it can cause anyone health problems.

Mold is usually very apparent whenever it comes to covering surfaces. It is generally composed of black or green circles that are slimy in texture. You should never touch it, though. The consistency can be seen without pressing your fingers onto it. If you ever notice mold in your shower, it will likely be along the grout between the tiles or the caulk around the bathtub or shower base.

In the shower, mold will not normally look like black circles along the tiles. Instead, they will appear as black lines along your grout. It can also get between the tub and the wall, so the lines will be apparent and look slightly runny. It might also look a bit like mud or stains.

If you aren’t sure, you can always buy a consumer kit. Order it, and take the samples according to the instructions. Send it to the laboratory, and they will tell you if you have mold.

Preventing Mold in the Shower

Since the bathtub and shower are where more moisture will run through, they will most likely see mold growth. Mold grows in moist, warm areas, so the shower is perfect. It’s not a good thing, of course.

There are a few ways to prevent mold in the bathroom, but it could take a lot of work. At the same time, you can passively prevent it as well.

Here are a few ways that you can prevent mold in the shower:

Good ventilation

Most bathrooms come equipped with a fan or ventilation system. There should be a fan system in the ceiling that you can turn on and off at will. However, you can easily get one from a home improvement store if there isn't one. You may need a carpenter or home improvement professional to assist with this. Considering a bathroom fan needs to be hooked up, it can be troublesome for some.

Cleaning often

Bathrooms are a place where we do a lot of cleaning. Our bodies can get pretty gross, so we wash all that gunk and impurities from our bodies in these rooms. While most of it goes down the drains, some can get on the walls and tiles. Because of this, it is a good idea to clean the bathroom often.

Mold needs a food source, which are often bacteria. If this stays in your bathroom, it will be easier for mold to grow. Cleaning your bathroom once or twice a month is a good rule.

Wash washrags and towels often

Leaving dirty garments on the floor or in hampers can cause many problems with mold. These materials usually absorb the moisture from our bodies. The remaining bacteria from our bodies are also scraped away into these towels and washrags.

If you leave them on the floor or in the hamper for a long period, they will form mold, which could transfer onto other surfaces.

Check plumbing for leaks

Leaky shower heads and faucets can lead to many problems with mold.  As we’ve said, mold grows from moisture. If there is a constant source of moisture, you can bet that there will be a bit of mold growing eventually. Call a plumber as soon as possible whenever there’s a leaky faucet or pipe.

You can have very small plumbing and fitting leaks within your walls that you aren't even aware of that could be destroying your shower and bathroom from behind walls.

The best investment you can make to check your home for potential leaks from plumbing, in grout, and tiles is a simple and low-cost moisture meter.

If it lights up at 15% or higher, you have a moisture problem that has likely already supported mold colony growth within your walls, grout, drywall, and other areas prone to mold growth.

Dry off the shower

While it does seem a bit extensive, drying your shower off after using it is a great way to prevent mold. After using the shower, use a towel or squeegee to wipe down the tiles and shower walls of the shower or bathtub. Any excess moisture will be removed, making mold practically impossible to grow there. If there is no moisture, there will be no mold growth. Be sure to keep on top of it.

Spray shower down with anti-mold liquids

Preventing mold is better than getting rid of it once you have it. One of the best preventative methods is to use anti-mold liquids. You can put vinegar or bleach in a spray bottle and spray it along the bathtub, walls, caulk, or grout.

If there is colored grout, you may want to stick with natural techniques—the mold-killing power of vinegar and baking soda instead. Bleach will ruin the color of the grout if you use it. If it is white grout, then you will be fine.

Use grout sealant

There are special substances that you can apply to your grout. Grout is a common area for mold to grow in. It is the small areas between the bathroom and kitchen tiles. It causes them to stick and fill the void between the tiles. However, because grout is porous, it is easy for moisture to get into it and cause mold to grow.

If you aren’t careful, mold can also spread beneath the tile. As soon as you see mold, it would be best to try removing it as quickly as possible. Grout sealant will keep these pores closed and keep water from getting beneath the tiles.

Conclusion

It can be pretty easy to prevent mold from surfaces, but you must remain observant regarding mold formation. Mold needs moisture to grow. The shower and bathtub are some of the easiest spots for mold to grow since there is so much moisture. Warmth and food sources are also needed. These are readily available in shower areas, so you should take preventative measures to keep the mold out of your bathroom.

There are multiple ways to do this. A good ventilation system is one of the best ways to eliminate it. You can find a system at a home improvement store if there isn't one in your bathroom. Ensure your clothes and towels are washed instead of left in your hamper. Dry your shower off when you can, and ensure your pipes aren’t leaking. Practicing these things will ensure that you have a mold-free bathtub and shower.

Recent Posts