How to Prevent Mold From Growing in Your Bathroom

2. Dry out your bathroom items. After a shower, wipe down your shower walls with a squeegee or a microfiber cloth to reduce water residue and soap scum buildup, says Jennifer Rodriguez, the chief hygiene officer of house cleaning service company Pro Housekeepers.

Make sure that your towel is dried completely and for your shower curtain, extend the curtain fully to air dry it after a shower. For your bath mat, you can hang it over the tub or a towel rail to allow it to dry, Rodriguez says.

As a personal tip, I’ve been able to reduce the bath mat mold issue ever since I replaced my old bath mat with a Sutera stone bath mat. I find the mat, which is made out of diatomaceous earth, to be water absorbent and quick to dry.

Other items to watch out for include your soap, which might be collecting water underneath. If you’re using a bar of soap, place it on a soap dish with drainage holes. Or you can use liquid soap in a bottle instead of bar soap to avoid the buildup of water under the bar, Micetich says. Though it’s worth noting that shower gels and body wash might be less environmentally friendly because they usually come in plastic packaging.

Besides soap, anything that’s sitting on the ledges within your shower or tub can be prone to mold. For sponges, washcloths, poufs, and similar items, it’s best to leave them in a location where they can get fully dry. That might mean hanging it or having a hook in the shower where you can place it, Micetich says. 

3. Clean, clean, clean. Regular cleaning will help ensure that your bathroom remains mold-free. In addition to doing a quick wipe of your walls after a shower, try weekly deep-cleans. You can use a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water or a non-abrasive bathroom cleaner such as Biokleen and Everspring, Rodriguez advises. Spray it on the walls, let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub using a soft brush or sponge and rinse with water. And if you’re tackling tougher stains, such as hard water stains or mildew, use a paste of baking soda and water instead and repeat the same process. 

You should also be regularly washing your bath linens such as towels and bath mats at least once a week, Micetich says. For your shower curtain, use a fabric shower liner that’s machine-washable, such as this N&Y Home Fabric Shower Curtain Liner made out of polyester, and wash it monthly, Rodriguez says.

4. Repair leaks. Fix any leaky faucets because it’ll create additional moisture in an already damp room, says Robert Gershman, a senior mold remediation contractor at mold removal company Dry Ease Mold Removal. And in general, make sure you fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.

You should also regularly check your tiles and grout for any chips. If there is a chip, water can leak through to the subfloor or drywall behind your shower, which can then lead to mold, so you would want to call a professional to have it repaired, Micetich says.

5. Use mold-resistant materials. When selecting your bath mat and shower curtain, consider buying ones that are mold-resistant, Rodriguez suggests. You can paint your bathroom with mold-resistant paint, which contains fungicides that kill off mildew spores before they can grow. Or you can add mold inhibitors, which are available at paint and home improvement stores, to your paints before you paint your room, according to the CDC.

6. Check your insulation. “Something that’s often overlooked, but can really help to reduce mold in the bathroom is insulation,” Micetich says. “When bathroom walls aren’t correctly insulated, humid air from inside the bathroom can get between the walls.” 

That humidity can create moisture buildup in the form of condensation, and over time, lead to mold, mildew, rot, wall discoloration, musty smells, and potential health problems. If you’re having recurring mold problems that just won’t go away, it’s good to have a professional come check or update your wall insulation.