For many people, the bathroom is not just a place to “do your business” but a place to get away from it all for a few minutes. It is a solitary kingdom, and the toilet is the throne.
However, there is a threat that looms over every bathroom. A threat that, if left unchecked, threatens the porcelain throne. That threat is mold.
Toilets are not exactly a topic that one associates with cleanliness. However, that lack of association has more to do with the business done with a toilet rather than any actual problem.
When a toilet develops mold, it can become a serious health risk, and if left unchecked, it can begin to cause damage to your home. Here is everything you need to know about how mold develops in a toilet, what the effects are, and, most importantly, how to prevent and get rid of mold growth.
What Causes Toilet Mold?
There are numerous causes of mold in particular areas in your home, but if there is any specific area that is most susceptible to mold growth, it would be the bathroom. This is because mold requires three factors to grow: nutrients, an organic food source, and moisture.
Those three things are in constant supply in your bathroom.
There are two places on your toilet where mold growth is most likely to occur: the bowl and the tank. The determinants of mold development in these areas are different.
Why Does Mold Grow in the Toilet Bowl
Two main causes of toilet bowl mold growth are lack of cleaning and use. The key preventative for mold growth in a toilet bowl is to clean it regularly. You will eventually have mold if you do not regularly clean your toilet bowl. Moisture, bacteria, and heat are all necessary for mold growth.
Another key part of the toilet cleaning process is flushing. When you flush, you continuously restart the chlorination process, which keeps the bowl relatively clean. This means that the opportunity for mold growth is frequently quelled.
If you were to leave your toilet alone for several days (especially without flushing), you would have created the perfect opportunity for mold to grow. This is because mold thrives in stagnant water. There is a misconception that your toilet lid can continue to mold growth because it creates darkness, but the idea that mold thrives in darkness is outdated and not true.
Why Does Mold Grow in the Toilet Tank?
Your toilet tank is a water reservoir, similar to your toilet bowl. Mold can develop when you have to turn the water off for a long time. As with your toilet bowl, mold can develop, particularly on the floater.
Because the tank is closed off and out of site from the rest of the toilet, it is easy to forget to check on it occasionally. This makes it more susceptible to mold growth go undetected. The water in the tank can develop mineral deposits that mold loves to feed on.
Can Urine Cause Mold In a Toilet?
Urine (and feces) can most certainly cause mold. It provides the sustenance and nutrients that mold needs to grow. Urine can also help spread mold if you have someone in your home who, to keep things polite, does not aim well. The mold will spread beyond the toilet if it goes uncleaned for long enough.
Other Places Toilet Mold Can Occur
- Under the toilet
- Toilet seat
- Under the toilet rim
- The base of the toilet
What Type of Mold Grows In Toilets?
- Black mold – There are different types of mold, but black mold is the most likely for you to encounter. It loves sticking to non-porous surfaces, making your toilet the ideal growing spot.
- Pink Mold – Pink mold is not a mold or mildew. It is a bacteria Serratia marcescens, and pink is only one of its colors. It can also appear as an orange or red color. It is a waterborne and airborne bacteria that functions similarly to mold and thrives in the same conditions.
- White Mold – White mold is the form that mold takes in its earliest form. It is typically harder to detect on a toilet because of its coloration. If you find white mold in your toilet or bathroom, you can eradicate it quickly.
- Green Mold – Hundreds of species could be green mold, but most of them fall under Penicillium, Cladosporium, or Aspergillus.
- Red Mold – Red mold is less likely to occur, and it is one of the lesser-known molds to exist.
Can Toilet Mold Make You Sick?
Toilet mold can make you sick. If you are near mold without a respirator, you risk getting sick. This is because mold travels by spreading out its spores into the air. This means that you could be potentially inhaling those spores. The spores get into your lungs and make you profoundly sick. If you get sick from mold exposure, you must see your doctor immediately. You will likely have to take anti-fungal medication as antibiotics will not work.
Is a Toilet Ring From Mold?
If you have an unsightly mold ring, it is almost assuredly caused by pink mold.
What Do You Need to Remove Mold
You need the proper gear and protective accessories to eliminate the mold in your bathroom. You will need:
- Rubber Gloves
- Protective eye-wear
- Cleaning agent of choice (you can use bleach or vinegar, but DO NOT MIX them)
- Toilet brush
- Eraser sponge
Ways to Remove Mold From the Toilet Bowl
There are different ways to clean your toilet bowl. Before you attempt to use any of them, you must flush the bowl out first and then turn the water off to your toilet. This will give you enough time to let the cleaning solution of your choice set up.
Steam Cleaning
This may be considered “extra” for many people, but if you have access to a steam cleaner, you should take advantage of it. A steam cleaner releases a hot, powerful stream of steam. It will loosen the steam tremendously and only further aid your cleaning solutions.
Vinegar & Baking Soda
Every kid, at one point or another, makes a volcano from vinegar and baking soda. However, if you can prevent the volcano factor, baking soda and vinegar make a perfect kitchen-sourced solution for mold issues. When you mix the two (at a smaller scale), the chemical reaction can kill the mold and help lift it off the toilet's surface or clean the drains in your home. This will make it significantly easier for you to wipe away.
Bleach
Since you are cleaning a toilet bowl with a non-porous surface, bleach is acceptable for cleaning away mold. Make sure not to get any on your skin. Use rubber gloves and even protective eyewear.
Chemical Products
There are numerous products specially formulated to handle mold growth in toilets. Find one that you feel best lines up with your needs.
Removing Mold From the Toilet Tank
Removing mold from a toilet tank is almost identical to removing it from a toilet bowl. You will have more difficulty maneuvering around the toilet tank to clean it properly. You always have the option of disassembling the toilet, but that would be a major inconvenience unless the mold growth is extensive.
How to Prevent Mold From Growing in the Toilet
Regular cleaning is the most immediate defense against mold growth in the toilet. This should be a standard practice in any capacity. Periodically cleaning your toilet will prevent the water from being stagnant.
Good ventilation is your second defense against mold growth. Mold has difficulty growing because your home's surfaces are drier, and the air is not stagnated. The overall ethos of mold prevention is to keep the targeted area clean. Regular cleanings with open, direct airflow will do wonders.
