How to Keep Your Bathroom Mildew Free

by Gillian Markson | More from this Blogger

16 Jun 2006 04:18 PM

If you live in a house that is particularly damp or shaded, then you likely have a common infestation of mildew. While mildew is relatively harmless during short-term exposure, it can be harmful to humans when it is breathed in large amounts. Mildew can also permanently damage your furniture and home accessories.

Mildew is not only a problem in and of itself, but it is also a symptom of another problem that you will need to look further into: moisture. When your space has too much moisture in the air, mildew tends to grow and multiple. That is why mildew is most often found in places such as bathrooms, basements, and under sinks.

The air in these locations becomes super-saturated with water, causing small particles of mildew to form. Once a small particle is formed, other mildew spores breed and grow, creating a situation that can get quickly out of hand.

Here are some tips to help you keep mildew from your bathroom:

1. Clean your bathroom with a daily mildew reducer. You can purchase a mildew reducer from any home cleaning store. Simply spray the cleanser daily after showering. The cleanser will help to create a layer of mildew resistant cleanser on your shower tiles and curtain. This layer of cleanser will make it virtually impossible for mildew to stick to your fixtures.

2. Clean your bathroom thoroughly once a month, at least. It is important that you commit to a regular cleaning schedule that includes scrubbing and deep cleaning of your floors and tiles. A regular cleansing schedule will help to reduce the presence of mildew on your tiles. This mildew needs to be cleaned before it can multiply or create a safe environment for future mildew spores to grow in.

3. Remove cardboard boxes from under the sink. Mildew tends to thrive in moist areas, such as under the sink. It also is retained in items such as cardboard boxes. Therefore, it is a good idea to remove cardboard boxes from the mildew-rich spot to ensure that you have the least likely chance of creating a mildew-friendly location in your home.

4. Invest in a good ventilation system. A ventilation system, such as an exhaust fan, is important for keeping mildew from your bathroom. The ventilation system essentially will pull all of the moisture from the air in your bathroom using powerful fans.

If you do not already have an exhaust fan in your bathroom, then you will need to invest in one. Make sure that you invest in a strong enough fan for your space - as all fans are not made to suit the right space. If you purchase a fan that is not strong enough for your bathroom, you run the risk of not thoroughly removing all moisture.

If you do not have an exhaust fan and do not want to make the sometimes costly investment, then make sure that you can open a window for long enough to rid your bathroom of moisture.

Regular cleaning and moisture reduction are the keys to maintaining a clean and mildew-free bathroom.

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