A bathroom should be a hygienic place, but when you start seeing black slimy spots on the corners of it, you may start to get worried.
Black spots inside the bathroom not only mean that it is dirty but can also be the sign of mold. Due to the wet environment, black mold in shower is commonly found on tight corners, ceramic grouts, and door track. So how to remove black mold in shower? How to prevent future mold growth? What is professional mold remediation and is it necessary to do?
A. Types of Mold in Shower
Black mold is not the only type that can grow inside the bathroom. Other mold species can attack the bathroom interior. Some of them are dangerous, but some others are nothing to be too worry about.
However, a researcher from the University of Cincinnati, Tina Reponen said that any types of mold should be removed. Furthermore, a healthy home cannot have visible mold spores growing in it. All of us often can see bathroom mold: moldy shower, moldy shampoo bottles, moldy areas in bathroom, moldy shower walls and other.
Here are some of the most common types of mold in the shower and what to worry:
1. Pink Mold
Pink mold in the shower or red mold in the shower may indicate the growth of Serratia marcescens. It grows on soap residue so you would mostly find it on soap containers, shower and bathtub edges, and toiletries rack. Though it is not particularly toxic, the pink mold can cause a light skin rash when it contaminates the soap you use.
2. Green Mold
The green mold may come from the Penicillium or Aspergillus genus. Commonly, it is not toxic unless you have an allergy to it. A long-term exposure might also cause lung inflammation especially when the mold is inhaled or ingested.
3. Black Mold
If the hue of the mold ranges from dark green to black, it might be the Stachybotrys mold spores. It grows where there is excessive humidity and away from the sunlight.
This kind of mold releases mycotoxin that can be dangerous for the health. Some have reported that inhaled or ingested black mold can cause a range of health problems such as meningitis, lung infection, and even memory loss.
B. The Mycotoxin from Black Mold
The mycotoxin is the metabolite that is produced by the mold. It is a term used to explain different types of metabolite forms. A species of mold may produce dozens of different mycotoxins including aflatoxins, ochratoxins, citrinin, ergot, and patulin.
Those mycotoxins may cause many health problems from allergy, tumor, and cancer. Mycotoxin like patulin may exist in bottled fruit juice, though there are efforts to set the limit of patulin concentration in the fruit juice concentrate. A certain level may be harmless, but higher mycotoxin has been proven to disrupt the human organs.
C. How to remove black mold in shower
Cleaning the bathroom regularly would be the most effective way to keep the shower away from any types of mold. Still, in some circumstances, mold in shower is unavoidable due to the dampness and weather. Knowing how to get rid of black mold in the shower should be on your list to prevent further problem to happen.
1. Use Bleach
Bleach is the most common solution to remove black mold spores in shower. It is easy to find and inexpensive in case you need a lot of it. A mix of water and bleach should clean the ceramic tile and faucets in shower easily. However, bleach has a strong fume and might be harsh to the skin, so make sure you use enough protection like mask and gloves when cleaning the bathroom from the mold.
2. Vinegar and Baking Soda
While it is believed that bleach only cleans the surface of the ceramic and faucets, a mixture of vinegar and baking soda is said to be more effective to clean the grout from black mold. It can also be applied to other porous surfaces because it is easy to be absorbed. Vinegar and baking soda work by diluting the black mold in shower, killing and removing it in a one-time application. Baking soda is very good variant against mold growth.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a great agent to kill mold in the bathroom. To use it, pour the oil onto the affected area and wait for around 10 minutes. After it works on the surface, wipe it clean with a dry towel. This method is known to be effective, but the price of the tea tree oil might be expensive to some.
4. Concrobium
Concrobium is a commercial name for a mold cleaner that can be easily found in markets. It has a range of mold-removing products that can be applied to any area of the house.
The all-purpose one is the Concrobium spray which can also be used to get rid of black mold in the shower. To prevent the mold from growing back, you can buy the Concrobium aerosol spray and apply it weekly.
5. Hydrogen peroxide
You should try one of rhis variants to remove mold. Not only bathroom mold. Do not leave wet surfaces in bathroom, use scrub brush and old toothbrush while cleaning. Do not forget that mold can cause health risks. So it is better to prevent mold.
Read also: Types of Mold Removal Products and How to Use Them
D. The Bathroom Areas You Should Check
Whatever the size of your bathroom, black mold growth in shower is always lurking when they get the perfect medium, humidity, and temperature to grow.
While black spots on areas like ceiling, ceramic, and grouts are easily visible, you may want to check the least visible areas to make sure you don’t have any missing spots. Mold growth is caused by broken exhaust fan
1. Behind the Toilet
Behind the toilet is rather hard to reach and not very visible. You may want to crawl down and see if there is black mold growing. Even when you don’t see the signs, spraying mold cleaner onto the area is recommended.
2. Shower Doors or Curtains
Some of the areas that are hard to notice are the shower doors or curtains. Those areas are prone to black mold in shower because it is wet most of the time. You may have to check the shower door track and the lower part of the doors or curtains. Sometimes, you can see dark green spots which indicate new growth of black mold.
3. Under the Sink
If you have a counter inside the bathroom and under the sink, there is a high possibility that the mold grows there. The humidity and the darkness of the area would be a good place for the black mold in shower to grow.
4. Inside the Soap Dispenser
Some mold likes to grow on soap residue, so the soap dispenser and the toiletries rack should be suspected. If you find smelly spots on those places, make sure you throw away unnecessary toiletries bottles and clean up the rack. Read about mold removal methods at our web.
Black mold in shower may also create a slimy surface on the area and would make your bathroom feels dirty and unhealthy. It is recommended that you keep a compact mold remover inside the bathroom so you can clean it regularly or as soon as you see the black mold signs. Mold removas is very important.
What kills black mould in shower?
A solution of bleach and water can be effective in killing black mold in the shower.
Can I remove black mold myself?
It is possible to remove black mold yourself, but it is important to take proper precautions to protect yourself and others from exposure to mold spores. This includes wearing protective gear such as gloves, goggles, and a mask, and ensuring that the affected area is well-ventilated.
Is the black mold in my shower toxic?
In general, the black mold commonly found in showers is not highly toxic, but it can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions in some people, especially those with weakened immune systems or respiratory conditions.
Why does black mold grow in my shower?
Black mold commonly grows in showers because they provide a moist, warm environment that is conducive to mold growth. When water is constantly present in the shower, such as from steam, leaks, or inadequate ventilation, it can create the ideal conditions for mold spores to thrive and spread.
Can I leave vinegar on mold overnight?
Yes, vinegar can be left on mold overnight. It can be effective in killing and removing mold, but may not be as strong as some other commercial products. It’s important to note that vinegar can also damage some surfaces and should be tested in a small inconspicuous area first. Proper ventilation and protective gear should also be used when cleaning mold with vinegar or any other cleaning product.
What happens if you don’t remove black mold?
If black mold is not removed, it can continue to grow and spread, potentially causing structural damage to the building and posing health risks to occupants. Prolonged exposure to mold spores can cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions, and other health issues, especially in people with weakened immune systems or pre-existing respiratory conditions.
What does harmless black mold look like?
Harmless black mold can look similar to other types of mold and may appear as black, gray, or dark greenish-black in color. It typically has a fuzzy or velvety texture and can grow in patches or spots.