How to Keep Your Bathroom Clean and Algae-Free
Bathrooms are warm, humid, and frequently damp, making them magnets for algae and mold growth. Growth is normally rapid and, if you don’t keep on top of it, the outbreaks could end up damaging your bathroom and putting the health of your family at risk.
With a little regular maintenance, taking care of algae and mold isn’t as hard as you might think. We’ll go through what you need to do if it starts to appear and the bathroom changes you can make to prevent growth in the first place.
Mold Growing in the Bathroom? Here Are the Common Causes
What causes mold to grow in bathrooms?
The answer can be summed up in one word—moisture. High humidity plus an organic material the mold can grow on provide the optimum conditions for mold to grow in. Typical examples of common causes of bathroom mold can include:
- Wet rugs
- Leaky toilets or faucets
- Lingering moisture caused by poor ventilation
Because a lot of fittings and fixtures are made from organic materials, mold can be found anywhere in your bathroom.
The Dangers of Algae and Mold
There are two main reasons you should be on the lookout for new growth:
- For the look. Mold will cause hideous patches in your bathroom that can result in all your interior design work going down the drain.
- For your health. Excessive intake of mold spores can lead to respiratory and allergic symptoms.
That’s why you must get rid of mold in your bathroom ASAP.
Even if you don’t care about a couple of algae specks here and there, if you don’t remove them, they’ll end up leaving a stain and become increasingly harder to remove. Eventually, this can end up damaging the walls and ceiling and lowering the value of your home as a whole.
Fungus and bacteria also have a significant effect on the health of you and your family. They can trigger asthma and other respiratory reactions, as well as turn into skin fungal conditions like tinea and warts. To put it simply: A healthy bathroom is a healthy family.
Treating Visible Patches
If it’s already appeared, you’ll need to move fast. Choose a high-strength cleaner that’s specially formulated for treating bathrooms but be careful of its effect on sensitive materials such as laminate countertops and flooring and always wear protective gloves. If in doubt, test it out on a non-visible part first.
Concerned about the harshness of commercial cleaning products? Some good home remedies to try are tea tree oil (one teaspoon diluted in a pint of water) and pure white vinegar. Just spray them on the surface and leave them to do their work!
How Do You Prevent Mold in the Bathroom?
The key to preventing mold and algae is to remove the damp and humid conditions in which they thrive. This includes:
Have the right ventilation – Proper ventilation is crucial to preventing mold from growing. However, if your bathroom is poorly ventilated, you can keep the door or windows open. Alternatively, you can also use a ventilation fan. If you are using the fan, don’t switch it off straight after a shower but instead leave it running for about half an hour.
Keep the little things dry – This includes loofahs, sponges, and bottles that you normally keep in the shower.
Hang up your towels and mats – The floor (and the towel) won’t be able to dry out properly if you leave them lying around.
Fix any leaking pipes and faucets – All those little drips will add up into one big pool of bacteria.
Use a squeegee – It’s probably the last thing you want to do after a relaxing shower, but a good squeegee will significantly reduce moisture. Take the time to do it just before you step out.
Clean regularly – It should go without saying, but a regular commitment to bathroom cleanliness makes a big difference. Aim to clean at least once a week—if you stick to a schedule, it’ll be quicker and easier every time.
Keep the Water Where It Belongs
Major sources of dampness in the bathroom are from leaks and spillages. Whether you’re in the bathtub or the shower, if you don’t have a proper enclosure, then water will find a way of going everywhere and leave mold and algae in its path.
Make sure you protect your bathroom and the health of your family with our high-quality, American-made bathroom shower kits. Speak to us at (888) 228-4925 or contact us online today for a free quote!