When it comes to cleaning every room in the home, the one household chore I despise is scrubbing bathroom mold.
Be it those stubborn black spots that seem to resurface in my silicone sealant, or getting rid of pink mold on my bathtub and shower drains, it just never seems to disappear for good.
Such invasive spores thrive in the humid, damp environments of lingering warm water and trapped steam, particularly when bathroom ventilation is lacking.
More importantly, if not properly dealt with, mold can lead to long-term structural damage and potential health concerns if the spores are allowed to spread. This is why knowing how to prevent mold remains your best defense for a germ-free home.
So, how often should you actually be cleaning your bathroom to banish black or pink mold from appearing? Luckily, I asked an expert for the correct way to prevent mold — and it turns out I’d been doing it all wrong.
How often should you deep clean your bathroom to prevent black or pink mold?
While most of us often deep-clean our bathrooms the minute we spot visible signs of mold, it turns out that we’ve not been cleaning our bathrooms often enough.
“By the time it’s visible, moisture and bacteria have already accumulated, so prevention is much easier than removal,” states Soma Pillay, Bathroom Specialist at Bathroom City.
“As a general rule, I recommend giving the bathroom a proper clean at least once a week, but this may increase depending on the individual homes. Those with pets or children may require more frequent maintenance to prevent dirt, bacteria, or mould from building up.”
"I recommend giving the bathroom a proper clean at least once a week, but this may increase depending on the individual homes."
Soma Pillay, Bathroom Specialist
So does the approach change for getting rid of pink mold? Essentially, this pinkish film is fueled by a bacterial accumulation of soap scum, body oils, and minerals found in stagnant water.
“Pink mold is typically bacterial growth, rather than actual mold itself. It generally appears as a pale pink or blood-red, slimy film and should be addressed immediately to prevent it from spreading to other sections of the bathroom.”
You can easily make a natural DIY cleaning solution to tackle pink mold. Simply mix half a cup of baking soda with a tablespoon of liquid dish soap or your favorite multi-surface cleaner in a bowl. Mix until you have a thin, runny paste, before scrubbing the affected areas with a small bristle brush.
Once you’ve scrubbed all traces of the mold away, rinse the residue away with warm water or use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the surface.
Why does mold keep coming back?
Another question we might ask is, why does mold keep coming back — despite our best efforts to scrub our bathrooms clean?
“Mold growth thrives in damp and moist conditions,” explains Pillay. “For this reason, I strongly advise homeowners to clean high-moisture parts of the bathroom, including shower screens, areas around the bath, and drains, and showers and baths should be wiped down and dried after each use, as this minimizes the risk of mould growing.”
Additionally, ensure your bathroom is properly ventilated by keeping windows and doors open or by utilizing an extractor fan when available. This daily habit helps release trapped humidity and introduces fresh air circulation, which is vital to prevent mold from thriving in your home.
“I also advise people to avoid leaving damp towels and bath mats in the bathroom. Not only can these further increase the risk of mould, but they can also cause musty smells to linger,” adds Pillay.
“Deep cleaning includes dusting extractor fan covers, cleaning shower heads, and ensuring the area around or behind bathroom furniture is clean. These regular habits can contribute to a much cleaner and more welcoming bathroom environment for homeowners and guests.”
For more top tips to banish mold once and for all, check out how to clean mold from bathroom caulk permanently — without using household bleach and 5 tell-tale signs that you need a dehumidifier right now.
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