How to Prevent Mold on Bathroom Walls

Mold on bathroom walls is a common problem, especially in small bathrooms, and no matter how clean a bathroom is, if the walls are coated with mold the bathroom looks dirty and unsanitary. The problem starts when moisture on the walls doesn’t dry quickly enough. Dark mold begins to form on walls, on grout, and around the sink and toilet. It’s an ongoing problem that will only get worse if it isn’t remedied. Mold can permanently discolor paint, wallpaper, and flooring, and it can cause health problems if not eradicated.

I didn’t have to worry about mold on bathroom walls until moving to my townhouse apartment. My previous bathroom was huge, but my current bathroom is small, and the walls become saturated with moisture while showering. After living in my new home for approximately four months, black mold formed on the walls above the shower and on some of the caulking around the bathtub, and I’ve had to work on ways to prevent it. The following explains how I’ve been able to prevent this moldy problem once and for all.

The Importance of a Bathroom Fan

I’m sure that mold began to appear on my bathroom walls because I wasn’t always using the exhaust fan while showering. I wasn’t used to using a fan, and it was never necessary when I had a larger lavatory. In my new home, I noticed when getting out of the shower the walls and mirrors seemed to be dripping with moisture, and I’m sure this is why the mold began to grow on the walls. I had to find ways to prevent it.

After cleaning the walls with a mixture of half bleach and half water, I’ve been using the exhaust fan every time I take a shower. I don’t want to have to clean the walls again, and the fan will help dry them before it has a chance to grow and spread. When using the fan the mirror isn’t fogged up, and the room isn’t covered in beads of moisture. I’m sure it helps tremendously to prevent the growth of mold.

What to Do if You Don’t Have an Exhaust Fan

Not all lavatories have exhaust fans or even a window, but it’s still possible to prevent the problem. If you don’t have an exhaust fan to keep the bathroom dry, keep a long handled bathroom squeegee in the shower to use directly above and around the shower area. Also, take the time to dry the walls with an absorbent towel. The few minutes it takes to step onto a stool and dry bathroom surfaces will save them from becoming covered in mold that will continue to grow if the problem isn’t remedied. Get rid of the moisture and you’ll save yourself a lot of work in the long run.

Mold-Inhibiting Paint

Did you know you can buy mold-inhibiting paint especially for bathrooms? I painted my bathroom with mold-inhibiting paint, and the problem hasn’t returned, but I still run the exhaust fan whenever I take a shower. Where there’s moisture mold can grow, so keep your bathroom dry, and along with paint products you can prevent unsightly mold for good.