How To Get Rid Of Mould In The Bathroom

• What causes bathroom mould?
• What are the signs of mould?
• Is mould dangerous?
• How to prevent mould in your bathroom
• Get in touch 

Mould growth is very common in bathrooms as it thrives in its warm, damp environment. Prompt removal and rigorous prevention is essential to minimise the damage mould can cause, and keep yourself and others safe. 

At ICE Cleaning, we offer our mould remediation services nationwide. Our technicians have been accredited by Dewpoint Professional, and can remove all traces of the mould from your property, including from hard surfaces and the air. They can be on site in several hours in an emergency.

Keep reading to find out why mould grows in bathrooms and how get rid of it. 

What causes bathroom mould?

Mould grows in environments that contain excess moisture. It is usually caused by condensation, damp, humidity, leaks, and poor ventilation. 

Bathrooms tend to contain all these conditions, particularly when you're washing. The shower or bath produce lots of steam which can build up and cause condensation on windows, walls, and the ceiling, and water can also get splashed onto surfaces. The bathroom is normally inadequately ventilated, too, for example there may only be a small window or no extractor fan. 

The most common types of mould that grow in a bathroom include aspergillus niger (black mould), aspergillus flavus (yellow mould), and aspergillus fumigatus (green mould). All of these can produce mycotoxins, harmful toxic substances which cause serious health problems. 

What are the signs of mould?

Bathroom mould often goes unnoticed until it poses health and structural concerns. Spotting the signs of mould growing in a bathroom, therefore, is essential for early intervention.

The main sign is black or green specks on the ceiling, walls, shower curtain, tiles, sinks, toilets, and in the silicone sealant and grout. You may also notice an unusual musty odour which could suggest hidden mould growth behind tiles or beneath flooring materials.

If you are suffering from an allergic reaction, like a runny nose or a cough, this could indicate mould growing in your bathroom, too. You can find out more about the different signs of mould here. 

Is mould dangerous?

Mould poses a significant risk to health and safety if spores are inhaled or ingested. It releases allergens and irritants which can cause an allergic reaction, like sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, and skin rashes. Toxic mould, on the other hand, can lead to asthma, migraines, rashes, and depression, and could even be fatal.

Some groups are more vulnerable to mould exposure and can experience more severe reactions. This includes people with pre-existing respiratory and skin conditions, people with weakened immune systems, elderly people, and young people.

You must remove mould as soon as you spot it to keep yourself and others safe, and take steps to prevent it to protect people in the future. 

Why you should not attempt to remove bathroom mould yourself

Firstly, removing the mould yourself, whether with a DIY cleaning solution or off-the-shelf mould killer, can put your health at risk. It will bring you in close contact with the harmful mould and you could be very likely to inhale or ingest the spores without personal protective equipment (PPE), like a face mask.

While cleaning it yourself with bleach or baking soda may seem like a low-cost solution, it will not eliminate all the mould, either. Vinegar, for example, can only kill some types of mould on surfaces and will not kill spores in the air. 

If there is black mould in your bathroom, you will need a solution that can effectively treat the mould. Professional cleaners have the specialist knowledge and equipment required to thoroughly remove the mould, giving you peace of mind that it will all be gone. 

Bathroom mould can also grow and spread quickly, covering a range of surfaces. It might be an extensive cleaning job that could take a long time. Specialist cleaners can quickly take care of your entire mould problem, including any growth in difficult to reach areas, like mould on the bathroom ceiling. 

They could even diagnose the root cause of your mould problem, such as poor ventilation or a leaky pipe, to help you prevent mould in the future. 

How to prevent mould in your bathroom

Maintaining a dry, well-ventilated bathroom is essential for preventing mould. Regularly wipe down areas that get wet including tiles, grout, and sealant. 

Make sure you spread out the shower curtain or keep the shower door open to let out moist air and ensure the area dries effectively.

You should also install an extractor fan and open windows during and after showering to get rid of the steam and humid air. This will help reduce condensation. 

Shut the door when washing to stop steam and humid air from spreading to other parts of the property or it could lead to a mould problem elsewhere, as well. 

Address leaks and water damage promptly, and keep the bathroom warm, too, to stop water vapour condensing on the walls, ceiling, and windows. 

Get in touch

Our mould specialists follow an intensive 9-stage mould remediation process to ensure the area has been thoroughly cleaned. They can give you peace of mind that your home is safe again, and advise on how to prevent mould in the future.

To book our mould removal services, give our team a call on 0208 066 0360 or send them an email at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk.