The average household gets quite a bit of use out of its bathrooms.
In addition to serving as places to answer the call of nature, bathrooms are spaces in which a wide range of grooming rituals take place.
Given how frequently our bathrooms are used and how much water usage is involved in all bathroom-related tasks, it’s hardly surprising that mold formation is such a common problem.
Not only can the appearance of mold mar the aesthetic appearance of your bathrooms, it can also place your family’s health at risk.
Luckily, preventing mold formation doesn’t have to be an arduous undertaking.
In the fight against mold, being mindful of the following behaviors – and taking steps to avoid them – will serve you well.
Not Providing Proper Ventilation
Proper ventilation is crucial in the fight against bathroom mold.
So, if your bathroom has a ventilation fan, you’d be wise to make good use of it.
Unfortunately, many of us shut off the fan as soon as our showers end.
While this may seem like an effective way to conserve energy, it can ultimately lead to the formation of mold.
For best results, it’s recommended that you leave your exhaust fan for at least half an hour after you’ve finished showering.
Additionally, make sure to stay on top of dust buildup in your fan, as this stands to reduce its effectiveness.
Lastly, if your bathroom exhaust fan is well past its prime, it may be time to think about upgrading to a newer, more efficient model.
Of course, not all homes have bathroom exhaust fans.
If yours is among them, there are a number of other ways for you to provide ventilation.
For example, leaving the bathroom door open – or partially open – during your showers can prevent steam from pooling up in one area.
Secondly, if there are any windows in your bathroom, consider opening them after each shower – but only if you live in a safe area and the weather is agreeable.
Allowing Shower Surfaces to Remain Wet
Even with proper ventilation, shower surfaces tend to retain a fair amount of moisture.
Over time, unchecked moisture can pave the way for the appearance of mold and mildew.
In addition to the aforementioned surfaces, shower accessories – such as product bottles, loofahs and bath sponges – retain quite a bit of moisture, as well.
Unfortunately, many of us rarely stop to consider this fact when finishing up our daily showers.
To help prevent mold from popping up, wipe down shower surfaces and bathing accessories at the conclusion of every shower.
While this may initially strike you as cumbersome, it shouldn’t take long for it to be seamlessly integrated into your regular routine.
In addition to regularly wiping down shower surfaces and accessories, you’ll need to give your entire bathroom a thorough scrubbing every 1-2 weeks – ideally with products that contain mold-fighting properties.
Leaving Drain Clogs Alone
None of us relish dealing with drain clogs. Depending on how severe a clog is, fixing it can be an arduous undertaking.
However, allowing drain clogs to linger can have a host of undesirable consequences – mold formation chief among them.
So, the next time a sink or shower drain is beset by clogging, it’s in your best interest to remedy the issue in an expedient manner.
The longer you fail to address a clog, the harder it will be to fix.
Since many households lack the tools and knowledge to tackle serious clogs, enlisting the aid of a seasoned pro may prove necessary.
Anyone looking for reliable local plumbers should open up their favorite search engine and look for “plumbers near me”.
When it comes to high-traffic household areas, few are busier than bathrooms.
Not only are these spaces essential for doing our business, they’re also where most people do the bulk of their grooming.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a bathroom grooming ritual that doesn’t involve water in some form or another.
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with water usage, certain water-based bathroom activities can set the stage for mold formation.
Anyone looking to take proactive measures against mold would do well to avoid the behaviors discussed above.