If you have noticed black mold in your shower, it is crucial to your and your family’s safety that you remove the mold as soon as possible.
Keep reading this guide to learn more about black mold, the dangers of this type of mold, how to remove it from your shower, and how to prevent black mold growth in your shower in the future.
What is Black Mold?
Black mold is a variety of microfungus that grows on wet and water-damaged surfaces—which is why it is so common in showers.
While black mold—which is also called toxic mold—is commonly believed to be one of the most dangerous types of mold, most varieties of black mold are actually no more dangerous than any other type of mold. However, having black mold in your shower is still hazardous to your health. Any type of mold is dangerous to have in your living space—especially when it’s in an enclosed area like a shower that you spend time in every day.
Inhaling mold spores can cause and worsen a number of both minor and severe health problems. It can activate allergies, causing symptoms such as a sore throat, a runny nose and eyes, wheezing, and trouble breathing. Exposure to black mold can also worsen symptoms of existing asthma and can even cause asthma to develop in younger children.
Infants and children, seniors, and people with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems are most susceptible to the harmful effects of mold exposure, but anyone’s health can be negatively affected by regular mold exposure. That’s why it is very important to get rid of black mold in your shower as soon as you notice it in order to prevent any harm to your or your family’s health.
How to Get Rid of Black Mold in Your Shower
All you really need to get rid of black mold in your shower are the right cleaning supplies, a little bit of time, and a willingness to put in some hard work.
Always wear a mask and gloves when using harsh cleaning products and treating mold in your bathroom. Start by spraying a liberal amount of antifungal surface cleaner over the moldy spots in your shower. Wait 5 minutes, then use a scrub brush to scrub the moldy areas until the mold is gone.
How to clean the mold in the shower
If needed, an old toothbrush works great to remove mold from grout areas and other nooks and crannies in your shower. Just make sure to throw the toothbrush away after you use it to clean.
Next, mix equal parts bleach and water and spray it over the areas in your shower that used to have black mold. Wait up to 10 minutes to let the bleach mixture process before scrubbing it away. This step disinfects your shower, prevents future mold growth, and gets rid of the dark stains that are often left behind by black mold growth.
Make sure to rinse out your entire shower thoroughly after removing the mold and using bleach. If needed, repeat the above process over again until all of the black molds are gone from your shower.
How to Prevent Black Mold Growth in Your Shower
The best way to prevent black mold growth in your shower is to clean your shower at least once a week with bleach and plenty of elbow grease.
However, you can also use a shower spray in between cleanings to keep your shower fresh and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. You can purchase shower sprays at most pharmacies, grocery stores, and big-box retailers, but you can also make your own in a pinch.
Just mix together one part white vinegar—or one part rubbing alcohol for stone and marble showers—with three parts water in a spray bottle, shake it, and spritz your shower liberally every day. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you want the spray to make your shower smell nice as well.
Not only will using a shower spray in your shower help prevent mold growth, but it will also help keep your shower looking sparkling clean for longer. Find more helpful information by reading our blog.
