There’s no doubt about it – mold is gross, and not something you want to find in your home.

However, there are certain parts of your house where mold is more likely to crop up. Like your bathroom.

Got a mold problem at home? We’re explaining why your bathroom continues to get mold, whether it’s a danger to your household, and how you can clean it up and improve your indoor air quality.

Why does my bathroom keep getting mold?

One word: Water. Since the bathroom is where you are taking a shower, washing your hands, and flushing the toilet, it is the part of the house that sees the most amount of water.

Mold begins with mildew, which forms when surfaces get wet and dirty and you don’t dry or clean them. Eventually, the mildew becomes mold.

Mold grows in a moist environment, meaning your bathroom is the perfect breeding ground for it. If members of your family are taking multiple hot showers every day, it will get steamy and humid in there and mildew and mold can potentially start to grow. Particularly if you’re keeping the bathroom door closed while you’re showering and trapping the indoor humidity.

Caulk that is beginning to fracture is also another frequent culprit. When this happens, warm, wet air from the shower can seep in through the cracks and mold can begin to fester.

A water leak or clogged drain could also create a place for mold to grow.

Is bathroom mold dangerous?

For the most part, indoor mold is merely an eyesore. But if you have allergies or asthma, or are sensitive to molds, it can be an irritant and lead to coughing, sore throats, and runny noses. People with compromised immune systems and those with chronic lung disease are also susceptible to infections in the lungs as a result of mold, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

You also have to watch out for black mold, commonly known as toxic mold, in particular. This type of mold produces mycotoxins, a toxic substance produced by a fungus. This type of mold exposure can lead to health problems for you and your family, including:

  • Respiratory issues, such as coughing and sneezing, but also more serious issues like pneumonia
  • Headaches
  • Immune system issues
  • Sinus problems
  • Allergic reactions

Black mold is easy to spot due to its dark, muddy appearance.

How do you get rid of mold in the bathroom?

There are a few things you can do to get rid of mold in your bathroom, including some DIY remedies.

Grab a spray bottle and mix one part hydrogen peroxide with one part water. Or fill the bottle with water and add a tablespoon of baking soda. Spray this onto the area with mold, and let it sit for five to 10 minutes. Scrub it with a sponge, then rinse. Then add white vinegar to the surface and let it dry.

You can also get products designed for commercial mold removal, including antifungal spray and bleach spray. Use the antifungal spray on the area with the mold, then scrub with a sponge. Follow the instructions on the bottle to determine how long you should leave the spray on before scrubbing it.

Afterwards, spray the area with bleach spray, and let it sit according to the instructions on the bottle before scrubbing it off. You can then cover the affected area with the vinegar.

Don’t forget to open windows and wear a mask and rubber gloves while using any commercial-grade cleaner.

If you have mold issues as a result of water damage, contact our sister brand, STOP Restoration. STOP provides residential and commercial customers with mold damage services, including free mold inspection.

READ MORE: First Steps to Recovering From Water Damage

And if you’ve got a plumbing problem that you suspect could be leading to mold growth, give your local Benjamin Franklin Plumbing a call at 1-877-BEN-1776 or contact us online.