Last Updated on December 6, 2021 by The Tampa Maid

A house cleaning guide to removing shower mold

Mold is unsightly and when it gets in your shower it can be hard to get rid of when house cleaning. Aside from the fact that it makes your shower look gross, mold can cause health problems if left to grow. Before we get into how to get rid of mold in the shower, let’s talk about how it gets there.

Mold can be found everywhere. It’s part of our environment and can grow outdoors and indoors. Mold spread through tiny spores. They float around in the air and can get in your home through windows, doors, air conditioners, and heating vents. You won’t be able to see these spores until they start reproducing. When mold spores land on places that have a lot of moisture they will grow.

Why is mold growing in my shower even though I do house cleaning?Health concerns from shower mold

When a home contains mold, it can cause problems with allergies. When someone inhales the spores, especially if they are sensitive to mold, it can cause an allergic reaction. People sensitive to mold may have issues like sneezing, runny nose, burning eyes, or contact dermatitis if their skin comes in contact with mold. Some people have severe headaches from mold allergens.

In most cases, shower mold isn’t toxic. This is partly because newer homes do not use cellulose in their building materials. Cellulose can create an atmosphere where toxic mold can thrive. Most everyday mold though is not dangerous. However, some types of mold produce substances called mycotoxins which can be dangerous, and cause more serious health concerns. This is why it’s best to keep mold growth under control before it spreads.

How to get rid of mold in the shower when house cleaning.

If you have mold growing in your shower, don’t worry. It’s fairly easy to get rid of, although it may take a little house cleaning elbow grease. Here are some of the best ways to get rid of mold in the shower.

Spray your shower with vinegar

Vinegar is a natural antibacterial and can kill the majority of household mold. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted vinegar. Spray the shower wall, in between the tiles, and anywhere you see mold. Diluted vinegar is great for everyday cleaning, but if you have mold in your shower, undiluted vinegar works best. If the smell is bothersome, open a window or step out of the room while the vinegar does its work.

You don’t want to wipe the vinegar off immediately. Leave the vinegar to sit for at least about an hour so it has time to kill the mold. Come back to the shower area and scrub the shower with a brush to remove any visible mold. Once you get rid of the mold, rinse the shower and dry it with a towel.

Clean your shower with hydrogen peroxide

We use hydrogen peroxide for all kinds of things, but people don’t always think about using it for house cleaning. Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent disinfectant and cleaning agent. You can use it to clean your shower or even to get your toilet sparkling clean. We recommend using a 3% solution and spraying it on the visible mold without diluting it.
Leave the hydrogen peroxide to sit for about two hours. This is because hydrogen peroxide needs time to work. Once it sits for two hours, scrub the mold off with a bristle brush or sponge. Rinse the area thoroughly and dry it with a towel

Use borax to remove the mold

Borax is a household cleaner that can be used to clean many areas of your home. Borax is great for cleaning mold. Unlike bleach and other harsh chemicals, Borax doesn’t produce chemical gases or cause respiratory issues.

To use Borax, create a solution of Borax and water using a ratio of one cup of Borax to 10 cups of water. Spray the Borax on any area of the shower and let it sit for about an hour. Then come back and scrub the area with a bristle brush. Rinse the area completely and pat dry with a towel.

Alternatively, Borax makes a great abrasive cleaner. To clean the mold from your shower, sprinkle about a half cup of Borax around the areas that have mold. Use a little hot water and a scrub brush to scrub the mold from your shower. Once it’s clean, rinse the area and dry with a towel.

For heavy-duty mold, bleach it off

Bleach is a powerful house cleaning agent. It can effectively kill mold and other bacteria. However, it produces some strong fumes that can make you feel sick. If you clean the shower with bleach, make sure you open the windows and leave the room if you start having respiratory issues.

To use bleach to clean the shower, fill up a spray bottle with a solution of half bleach to half water. Grab a pair of rubber gloves and spray your shower down. Bleach doesn’t take as long to work as the other house cleaning methods, but you still want to leave it sitting for 15 or 20 minutes. This gives the bleach enough time to kill the mold. Use a scrub brush or sponge to clean the moldy areas. Once you’ve removed all the mold rinse the area and dry it with a towel.

Tips for preventing mold from growing in your shower

The biggest reason mold grows so quickly in the shower is because of heat and moisture. Keeping the shower dry and ventilated can make it harder for mold to grow.
● Increase the ventilation in the bathroom (by running a fan, opening the windows and door)
● Spray your shower with a vinegar and water solution every day
● Wipe the shower down with a towel after every use
● Clean your shower more frequently

We know that keeping up with the bathroom is a lot of work. If you find that mold is continually forming in your shower, you may need to clean it more often. This is where we can help. If you need help with routine cleaning of your bathroom, our house cleaning services may be just what you need. We provide residential house cleaning services in Tampa area. If you are looking for house cleaning companies near you, get in touch with us to schedule a cleaning.