Isn't it ironic that the place where we wash ourselves is also the place where dirt forms most frequently? We almost don't even notice the dirt until it is so dark that it's almost impossible to remove.
Yes, it is in our bathroom that mold most often appears. It is because of a lack of air. It is almost always damp and therefore it becomes the perfect place for mold to form. It can form under your sink, behind your medicine cabinet, and even right under your plunger where it is almost always neglected since it is very difficult to clean.
Luckily mold is easiest to clean in the bathroom because most of our tools are at our disposal. When mold forms in other rooms of the house where there is no water readily available nor cleaning supplies nearby, the task could seem more daunting.
Most households have different types of floors in each bathroom. It is important for you to find out what your floor is made of before you start trying to clean the mold. Some floors are tiled with ceramic or porcelain. Others are made of marble or crystalline. Depending on what kind of floor you have, prepare the tools you need to clean the mold.
You will need:
Soap, detergent or disinfectant, a brush, a dry towel to wipe and another to dry, vinegar (do not use vinegar with marble floor and crystalline tiles) and baking soda.
You do not have to all of these tools together. Simply choose the ones you prefer. After you have everything you need, start cleaning that unwanted mold.
Before you begin cleaning the mold, make sure you wear rubber gloves and a mask. Begin by wetting the molded surface with water. A wet molded surface is not only easier to clean but will also prevent scattering of the fungi, hence making it airborne. It is preferable that you use a spray bottle to do this. If you use a spray, you can focus on solely wetting the molded area. The wet area will loosen the mold from the surface making your job easier.
You can either choose to scrub or wipe the mold. If I were you, I would scrub instead of wiping. When you are scrubbing, make sure to use some elbow grease. (I.e. Use your muscles and press hard) A disinfectant is a very effective tool in cleaning mold. Disinfecting the molded surface ensures that any mold residue is taken off. Disinfectant will also leave a nice scent in the bathroom.
After you've cleaned the mold, make sure you keep an eye out to make sure it doesn't come back. Sometimes mold disappears temporarily. If it does reappear, simply repeat the above steps until it's gone for good. To avoid mold in your bathroom, try to keep the bathroom dry. If water spills on the floor, dry it right away; do not let it sit for long periods of time. Also, when showering, always turn on the fan or open the windows. When you are finished showering, it is a good ideas to use a squeegee type tool to remove excess water from the shower walls.
Sabrina Rocca
Author: The Ultimate House Cleaning Checklist Book
For more great cleaning tips, visit http://www.housecleaningchecklist.ca. While you're there, sign up for your FREE speed cleaning course.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
