How to Get Rid of Mold in a Bathroom

Found some mold in your bathroom? You’re definitely not alone. Mold is a common issue, and particularly in bathrooms, which provide the perfect balance of heat, moisture, bacteria, dust, and (sorry) human skin to serve as a mold breeding ground. It can happen whether your house is new or old, and even the most diligent of bathroom deep cleaners might have a difficult time keeping it at bay. But while prevention is tough, you’re not totally out of luck—there are steps that you can take to get rid of mold in a bathroom, including both commercial products and DIY options.

Different types of bathroom mold

Before we talk treatment, let’s look at what you might be dealing with.

There are several different types of mold that tend to form in bathrooms:

    • Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as black mold)
    • Aspergillus
    • Talaromycosis (formerly referred to as Penicillium )
    • Cladosporium

    These molds vary in terms of both commonality and risk, with black mold being both the least common and the most dangerous—though no type of bathroom mold is considered to be rare.

    There are some traits that separate these various types of mold—especially when it comes to their color—but testing to see what kind you have can be expensive, and rather pointless too. Experts recommend that you always treat and get rid of mold in a bathroom (or anywhere else in your home) without waiting to find out what kind you’re dealing with. And fortunately, the same methods can usually be used regardless of mold variety.

    How to get rid of mold in a bathroom

    When it comes to getting rid of mold, you have a few options. Commercial treatments and natural, DIY solutions are often the first route that people go, followed by a professional treatment if those methods don’t get the job done.

    If you’re dealing with a large-scale mold problem, if you suffer from asthma or another respiratory problem that could make mold exposure extra dangerous to you, or if you’d just rather not handle the issue yourself, you could go right to the pros. According to HomeAdvisor, the cost for professional mold removal depends on the size of the area that needs to be treated, and can range from anywhere from $50 to upwards of $6,000, with an average cost of between $1,117 and $3,329.

    To keep your costs down, consider starting by trying to tackle your bathroom mold problem on your own. Here’s how to do it.

    Option 1: Use commercial mold removal products

    Store-bought cleaners can really come in handy when you’re looking to get rid of mold in a bathroom.

      • Antifungal spray
      • Distilled white vinegar
      • Bleach spray

      Ventilation is important. For your own safety, you may want to wear a mask and rubber gloves, run the bathroom fan, and/or open a window during this process.

      Start by applying a liberal coating of antifungal spray to the affected area. Make sure it’s a designated antifungal spray and not just a standard shower or bathroom spray, since the former has specific properties that are intended to address mold spores.

      Follow the directions on the bottle, which may require that you leave the spray on for a set period of time prior to removal. When it’s time to remove, use a toothbrush or sponge to scrub the mold away.

      Next you’ll want to clean the area with a bleach spray to remove lingering stains and help prevent future spores from proliferating. (If you don’t have a spray, you can make your own by combining one part bleach to ten parts water in a spray bottle.) Let the bleach sit for 5-10 minutes and then once again take a toothbrush or sponge and scrub the area.

      The last step is to apply distilled white vinegar to the area, which has additional antifungal properties. Fully ventilate your bathroom after you’re done, and be sure to dry up any lingering moisture.

      Option 2: Make a DIY solution

      If you’d rather avoid chemical cleaners, you may be able to get rid of bathroom mold with simple products that you (likely) already have around the house. This may be the way to go if you have young children or pets, or if you have sensitivity to chemical products—however do keep in mind that this option may not be quite as effective at sanitizing the area and keeping future mold growth at bay.

        • Baking soda or hydrogen peroxide
        • Distilled white vinegar

        In a spray bottle, make a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to one part water, or fill the spray bottle with water and add in one tablespoon of baking soda. Both hydrogen peroxide and baking soda are naturally antifungal, so whichever you have on hand should do the job.

        Spray the mixture onto the affected area and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then scrub with a toothbrush or sponge and rinse with clean water. Finish up by applying white vinegar to the area and allowing it to air dry.

        Dealing with mold under caulk

        A common (and frustrating) issue is when mold forms under caulking, such as in your shower or bathtub. This mold is just as visible but harder to reach, and unfortunately it may require that you remove the caulk to get to the mold and then re-caulk when you’re finished.

        If this is the case, use needle-nose pliers and a utility knife to cut and scrape away the caulk as needed, and then treat the mold using one or more of the methods noted above. When you’re done and the area is fully dry, use a caulking gun to apply a new, clean layer. (Making sure the area is fully dry is key, since if you trap moisture under the caulk you’re just going to end up with the same problem all over again.)

        Preventing mold from coming back

        It’s never fully possible to keep mold out of your bathroom, since mold spores are everywhere and any place where you have heat and moisture is liable to allow those spores to foster and grow.

        That being said, there are some things that you can and should do to mitigate mold problems and possibly even prevent them from occurring in the first place.

        1. Eliminate moisture. Don’t allow moisture to sit on any surface for too long. Use a towel and/or squeegee to remove any lingering water in your shower or bath after you’re done, and keep your exhaust fan running as needed to keep moisture out of the air.

        2. Keep your bathroom clean. The less dust and bacteria in your bathroom, the less food that mold has to grow on. Make a point of regularly cleaning the space, using commercial antibacterial and antifungal products or their non-toxic counterparts.

        3. Fix any leaks. A leaking faucet that is releasing one drop of water a minute will drip 1,440 times a day—which is almost certainly going to lead to mold build-up. You should be fixing leaks anyway as a way to keep your water bill down, but look at mold mitigation as one more reason to make this a priority.

        Frequently asked questions about bathroom mold

        It’s pretty likely that you’ll find yourself having to get rid of mold in a bathroom at some point as a homeowner or renter. And although it is certainly an unsightly and unpleasant problem to have to deal with, it’s not a sign that you’re not taking proper care of your living space. Here are some quick answers to some frequently asked questions that you might have about mold in your bathroom—including how to tell if it might be that dreaded black mold at play.

        Is mold in the bathroom dangerous?

        Most types of mold are relatively harmless on their own, but depending on the circumstances it is possible for mold to pose a danger to your health, especially if you have a mold allergy or respiratory problem. Signs that you are having a negative reaction to mold include headaches, dizziness, rashes, coughing, and a scratchy throat.

        How can you find out what kind of mold you have?

        You can buy a DIY kit to test what kind of mold you’re dealing with. While this isn’t always necessary, it could be a good way to go if removal techniques aren’t working, since that may suggest you need to be doing something more specific.

        What are some signs that it’s black mold?

        Black mold is dark greenish-black or fully black in color and usually emits a musty, stagnant smell. Anywhere that moisture can get trapped can be susceptible to black mold growth, including not just your shower, bath, and faucet but your floors, walls, and ceilings.

        Why does mold keep coming back?

        Even if you get rid of mold in a bathroom there’s no guarantee that you can prevent it from recurring. The best thing that you can do is to follow the advice in the previous section, and to treat mold completely when it does occur.