Keeping every room clean is an important job, and you do it with pride. It helps make the house your home. You take care to keep everything fresh, so tackling an occasional mold outbreak in the bathroom is just another chore.
That ordinary routine sets off alarms when you encounter a dark, slimy growth that makes you wonder:
Are you looking at black mold growing in the bathroom?
It’s not an ordinary fungus. It can quickly become a serious threat to your family’s health and your home’s infrastructure. We answer calls every day from homeowners in Chicago, IL and suburbs who need mold remediation services, so we understand how disturbing it is to find black mold in your bathroom.
Let’s get started.
Am I Dealing with Black Mold or Something Else?
Stachybotrys chartarum usually appears as slick, dark green or black splotches. It’s hard to mistake the fungus for mildew, but you know for sure it’s mold if it fails the cotton swab and bleach test.
The best way to be certain about any mold type is to have it tested by certified mold inspection professionals.
Why is There Mold Growing in My Bathroom?
Mold migrates through the air outside and indoors as microscopic spores. It only needs a small amount of moisture to take hold, so the bathroom is a natural breeding ground for all kinds of fungi.
No matter how well you clean the house, it’s almost impossible to prevent spores from making themselves at home.
Can Black Mold in the Shower Make You Sick?
Yes, it can. You’re right to be concerned about black mold in the shower. Health risks associated with exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum include increased severity of existing allergies and frequency of asthma attacks.
Time spent in a moldy shower can leave you with a scratchy throat, itchy eyes and a runny nose. Individuals with respiratory conditions or COPD are especially susceptible to the negative health effects of black mold mycotoxins.
How to Get Rid of Black Mold Growing in the Bathroom
Start the project by identifying the mold’s source of moisture. If you can’t fix the leaking pipe or dripping faucet, call in a plumber for repairs.
Meanwhile, put together the things you’ll need to safely clean up the mold. We detail the necessary precautions in our post on DIY black mold removal.
Different areas of the bathroom clean up best with different techniques. A bleach and water solution works on most surfaces, but it’s good to have specially formulated products on hand too.
These are your most common DIY mold cleanup jobs in the bathroom.
In the Toilet
- Flush and drain as much water from the bowl as possible.
- Spray the affected surface with bleach, let set, then flush again.
- Using a toilet brush, scrub with your bleach and water solution.
- Flush, and repeat the above steps until the black mold is eliminated.
Power Tip: Safely dispose of the toilet brush when you’re finished. This final step applies to all sponges, scrubbers or rags used to clean up bathroom mold.
In the Sink
- Thoroughly wet the mold by spraying with your bleach mixture.
- Scrub with a stiff brush, rinse well, and repeat until mold is gone.
- Pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain, and flush with hot water.
On the Shower Head
- Remove the shower head, and soak it in a bowl of your cleaning solution.
- Meanwhile, scrub the shower arm’s threaded attachment end.
- Use a stiff brush to clean the shower head, and let dry before replacing.
Power Tip: Soak the shower head in place by filling a plastic bag with the bleach mixture and attaching it to the fixture with rubber bands or heavy tape.
On the Grout in the Shower
- Attack moldy grout with your bleach mixture and a stiff toothbrush
- Let set for 30 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.
- Apply a paste of baking soda and water, and let set for 10 minutes.
- Scrub well with a bristle brush, and repeat steps until mold is removed.
In the Bathroom Wall
- Scrub black mold on tile bathroom walls with a bleach solution, and rinse with warm water.
- Spray moldy tile with white vinegar, let it set for 30 minutes, and finish with a good scrub.
- Clean painted walls with a mixture of 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of borax.
- Apply a baking soda and water paste to black mold on a bathroom wall, let set, and then scrub.
In the Bathroom Ceiling
- Pre-wash black mold on the bathroom ceiling with a mixture of warm water and mild detergent.
- Spray the moldy ceiling with an anti-fungal solution, and sponge it into corners as needed.
- Let the solution dry for half an hour before cleaning and rinsing with fresh water.
Power Tip: Always wear wrap-around goggles when you’re cleaning mold off a ceiling.
When Should I Call a Mold Remediation Company?
If your DIY project covers an area larger than 3 square feet or you’re dealing with porous surfaces, call in certified mold removal specialists. You should also make that call if anyone in the house has health issues.
Let trained technicians tackle big jobs like black mold under the bathroom floor. They handle dangerous projects like black mold in the bathroom ceiling, and they take care of small plumbing repairs too. Your good judgement is your best guide, but don’t take unnecessary chances.
How Do I Prevent Future Mold Growth in the Bathroom?
Mold is a natural part of our environment. You can’t eliminate it completely, but there are things you can do to prevent mold from growing in your bathroom.
- Keep Things Clean – Give the bathroom a good cleaning at least once a week. Include an anti-fungal product in your monthly deep cleaning routine.
- Keep Things Dry – Make a habit of wiping down shower doors or curtains after each use. Dry off fixtures and counter tops too. Move wet towels to the laundry room.
- Decrease Bathroom Humidity – Upgrade the exhaust fan in your bathroom with a more efficient model. Be sure to clean it at least several times a year.
- Use a Preventive Spray – A quick spray of vinegar after a shower or bath helps prevent mold growth on shower walls. Add a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil to keep the room smelling fresh.
Dealing with Mold Growing in Your Chicago Bathroom? We Can Help!
As the city’s most experienced black mold removal company, we know the fungus can take hold anywhere. When it happens in your bathroom, follow our guidelines, but always be careful.
If you decide the cleanup job is too big or risky, please don’t take any chances. We offer certified mold remediation services across Chicago and the suburbs, so give us a call.
You can always trust ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba to help you keep your home fresh, clean and healthy.
Give us a call for help with black mold removal: 773-647-1985