Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Prepare a solution to remove mold
• Method 2 of 4: Use the Cleaning Solution Properly
• Method 3 of 4: How to prevent mold from forming in the bathroom
• Method 4 of 4: Security Measures
• Warnings

Mold often appears in bathrooms due to high humidity and excess water. Fortunately, you can get rid of it with simple remedies! Pour vinegar, borax, or bleach solution into a spray bottle and spray on moldy areas such as showers, tubs, sinks, tiles, cement, or putty. Then wipe off the mold with a rag or toothbrush. In the same way, you can remove mold from the ceiling and walls of the bathroom. When doing this, be sure to wear protective gloves and properly ventilate the bathroom.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Prepare a solution to remove mold

1. 1 Prepare a white vinegar solution. Safe and non-toxic, it is perfect for removing mold from a variety of surfaces. Pour vinegar directly into a spray bottle. You do not need to dilute it with water, as vinegar is most effective undiluted. There is no need to rinse off the vinegar after you apply it to the surface.
   • Although the vinegar smell is rather unpleasant, it usually disappears within 1 to 2 hours. You can open a window or turn on a fan to get rid of the smell faster.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Ilya Ornatov

   
   
   Cleaning guru and founder of NW Maids Ilya Ornatov is the founder and owner of the NW Maids cleaning company in Seattle, Washington. Founded NW Maids in 2014 with a focus on advance pricing, easy online booking and high quality cleaning.

   Ilya Ornatov
   Cleaning guru and founder of NW Maids

   Cleaning specialist Ilya Ornatov prefers to use vinegar: “Mold in the bathroom can be quickly removed with vinegar. Mix vinegar and water in a 2: 1 ratio and soak the infected area with the solution within 30 minutes ".

2. 2 Use borax solution as a natural remedy for mold. Borax is a natural insecticide and fungicide. Dissolve 1 cup (205 grams) borax in 4 liters of water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. After that, simply apply the solution to the problem surface. The borax does not need to be rinsed off as it will prevent further mold growth.
   • Borax can be purchased at a hardware store. It is a mineral in the form of a white powder.
   • Borax is toxic if swallowed, but unlike bleach, it does not emit toxic fumes.
3. 3 Use a bleach solution as a last resort. Bleach is effective at killing mold on smooth surfaces such as bathtubs, sinks and tiles, but it is toxic and should be handled with care. Prepare a solution of 1 part bleach and 10 parts water and pour it into a spray bottle. The bleach solution may not be rinsed off after use, unless pets or small children have touched the treated surfaces.
   • When handling bleach, be sure to wear gloves and ventilate the area well to avoid breathing harmful fumes.
   • Bleach can irritate eyes, lungs and skin.

Method 2 of 4: Use the Cleaning Solution Properly

1. 1 Apply the cleaning solution to the moldy area. Take a spray bottle filled with the solution and spray liberally over the entire surface so that it is covered with a continuous layer of solution. However, do not use too much solution, otherwise you will then have to clean the surface of the remaining liquid. The surface should be damp, but try to keep it free of puddles.
   • If you are working on tiled or cement floors, be careful not to slip.
2. 2 Wipe down smooth surfaces with a rag to remove mold. Fold the rag in four and wipe down the entire surface that you applied the cleaning solution to. The mold should be easy to wipe off and remain on the rag. If one side of the cloth becomes wet or heavily soiled, use the other side.
   • It is possible that during the cleaning process you will have to change rags, especially if you need to clean a large surface.
   • You can use a sponge instead of a rag.
   • This way you can clean smooth surfaces such as showers, bathtubs, sinks and tiles.
3. 3 Remove mold adhering to smooth surfaces with a stiff brush. If the mold cannot be wiped off with a rag, more serious measures are needed! Scrub the surface thoroughly until you remove the mold. Try to remove the mold as soon as it starts so you don't have to scrape it off.
   • Get a separate brush for cleaning the bathroom mold to keep spores from spreading throughout your home.
4. 4 Scrub the cement or putty with your toothbrush. Take an old toothbrush and use it to scrub the cement or putty joints to remove any mold. When doing this, rinse your toothbrush under running water to remove mold and prevent mold spores from spreading throughout the bathroom.
   • Get a separate toothbrush to remove mold from the bathroom to keep mold spores from spreading throughout your home.
   • If desired, you can use a larger brush, although the toothbrush is more convenient for working in narrow and confined spaces.
   • Special cement scrapers are available from your local hardware store.
5. 5 Wipe the treated surface with a clean cloth. Remove any remaining liquid from the cleaned surface to keep the bathroom dry and not slipping. Wipe the smooth surface and cement or putty joints with a dry cloth. In doing so, you will also remove mold that has come off the surface after you have rubbed it with a brush.
   • Change the rag if it gets very wet.
   • Pay special attention to small crevices and corners so that no liquid remains in them, which can cause the growth of new mold.
6. 6 Take off cement or puttyif you cannot remove the mold. If too much mold has accumulated, you may not be able to remove it. In this case, pry up the layer of cement or putty with a flat screwdriver and remove it. Apply new cement or putty and clean regularly to prevent mold.
   • A new layer of cement or putty can be sealed with a sealant to prevent mold growth.

Method 3 of 4: How to prevent mold from forming in the bathroom

1. 1 Turn on the fan in the bathroom when taking a bath or shower. The fan is very effective in reducing the humidity in the bathroom. Turn it on when you fill your bath or shower, and leave it on for at least five minutes after washing to get rid of the steam. If possible, try not to turn off the fan until the bathroom is clear of steam.
   • It is best to open the window and turn on the fan at the same time.
2. 2 Open the window after taking a bath or shower. Mold grows faster in high humidity and water conditions, such as after using a bath or shower. Open the window immediately after showering or bathing to get rid of any remaining water and steam. Leave the window open until the bathroom is dry.
   • Remember to open the window every time you shower or bathe to limit the growth of mold.
3. 3 Wipe off all damp surfaces. While regular cleaning and airing of the bathroom is quite effective, sometimes it is not enough to prevent mold growth. If you find mold reappearing in the same area, wipe it down with a rag whenever water appears.
   • Mold often appears on the sink and on the tiles in the shower stall.
   • Tiles and glass doors can be wiped clean with a rubber squeegee instead of a rag.

Method 4 of 4: Security Measures

1. 1 Use rubber gloves whenever dealing with mold. Do not touch mold with bare hands. If you use vinegar or boron to remove mold, regular household rubber gloves will work. However, you will need natural rubber or PVC gloves to handle bleach.
   • Take off your gloves as soon as you finish cleaning to avoid spreading mold spores throughout your home.
2. 2 Put on old clothes and wash them after removing the mold. It is better to use old clothes that are not afraid to get dirty or damaged with cleaning agents, and then wash them in hot water. Wash your clothes in hot water immediately after cleaning the bathroom to kill mold spores and prevent mold from spreading.
   • It is especially important to wear old clothing if you are using bleach, as it can discolor the fabric.
3. 3 Ventilate the bathroom while cleaning. Open all windows and turn on a fan, if you have one. This will help prevent the inhalation of mold spores and toxic fumes from cleaning products.
   • You can also put a portable fan in the bathroom.

Warnings

• If anyone in the household is allergic to mold or has a weakened immune system, it is better for them to be outside the house while you clean the bathroom of mold. In this case, it will not breathe in mold spores.
• Contact a specialist if you cannot get rid of mold on your own, it causes you health problems, or it affects an area of ​​more than one square meter.