How To Control Mildew in Your Bathroom

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

A dehumidifier can be an effective solution to remove excess humidity

Steps To Reduce Mold and Mildew Formation

Every home in North Scottsdale, AZ, must contend with some degree of bathroom mildew. Steam and running water combined with poor ventilation can contribute to a chronic humidity problem, leading to mildew on the following:

• Tiles
  
• Walls
  
• Ceilings
  
• Grout
  
• Shower curtains
  
  

Mold remediation professionals recommend taking these steps to help control humidity and reduce mold and mildew formation:

Ventilate
Proper ventilation prevents water particles in steam from clinging to surfaces where they would otherwise remain. With no place to go, they can develop mildew. Keeping a bathroom door open to allow water-carrying steam to escape is adviseable. Still, the best solution is an exhaust fan that effectively draws steam out of the bathroom.

Clean Grout
Grout is porous and susceptible to water absorption. Water trapped in small grout-filled crevices is slow to evaporate, making the spaces susceptible to bathroom mildew. It is necessary to clean grout thoroughly before mildew settles and spreads, making it harder to remove.

Dehumidify
If your house is old and not equipped with an exhaust fan, a dehumidifier can be an effective solution to remove excess humidity. Position a unit outside the bathroom door and turn it on after running a hot shower.

Wipe Down Accessories
Mildew can accumulate on any surface, including items placed on shelves, sinks and bathtub ledges. If these objects are allowed to sit where water has pooled, mildew can form beneath them and spread. Wiping shampoo bottles and bath pillows and other accessories help keep them clean and mildew-free.

Wipe Down Walls
Wet shower walls and floors are unavoidable. People often turn off the water and wonder why mildew still accumulates. If water does not evaporate quickly enough, it remains on these hard surfaces, causing mildew or mold. A squeegee can quickly dry these surfaces that would otherwise remain wet.
Bathroom mildew and mold can be found in just about any home. If you need help controlling it, speak with a professional.