Preventing mould in the bathroom
9 top tips
Once it has taken hold, mould can often be difficult to get rid of: Preventing mould in the bathroom is easier than removing it. Because mould fungus in the bathroom is not just a cosmetic problem. The spores can be harmful for health and even cause permanent damage to tiles and joints in the bathroom. Read our 9 top tips to effectively prevent mould in your bathroom!
How does mould develop in the bathroom?
The bathroom is a place for well-being and relaxation. But no other room in the home is at greater risk of mould infestation. Regular showering and bathing increases air humidity to far in excess of 70 per cent. Moisture condenses and runs down walls, accumulating in joints and corners.
Mould spores thrive particularly well in this environment and can proliferate rapidly. They attack damp fabrics in particular, or any gaps in silicone seals. If aggressive mould has started to eat away at joints, in the worst-case scenario, you might need to call in an expert for expensive removal.
How to prevent mould – 9 tips
A few simple everyday steps can often decide whether you prevent mould in the bathroom – or give it free rein. These 9 quick and easy tips will soon become part of your daily routine:
- Shower curtain: Mould thrives in creases on a damp shower curtain. Allow steam to escape from the shower and then spread the shower curtain out fully to remove any creases.
- Change textiles: Shower or bath towels should be changed at least once a week, and hand towels every two to three days. Avoid fabric decorations such as artificial flowers in the bathroom.
- Ventilation: Correct air exchange allows moisture to escape. So after showering or bathing: Open doors and windows! During the day, leave the window ajar to allow ventilation.
- Dry tiles: Wipe down tiles after bathing or showering and dry the shower tray, bathtub and joints. The less moisture, the harder it is for mould to take hold.
- Towels on the radiator: After use, place towels on the radiator to dry them. Put damp sports gear straight into the washing machine.
- Use a dehumidifier: Pretty little sachets or ceramic boxes filled with salt attract and capture moisture from the air.
- Use a hygrometer: A hygrometer shows when the optimum air humidity of 50 to 70 per cent is exceeded. If you have not already done so, ventilate the room immediately until the hygrometer returns to a correct reading.
- Heating: The perfect temperature in a bathroom is around 23 degrees. Ideally, you should always leave the heating on in the bathroom.
- Jointless bathroom: A jointless bathroom is a particularly effective way of preventing mould. Modern, smooth easy-care materials for showers and baths also minimise the area on which limescale and mould fungus can accumulate and are easier to clean.
No windows in your bathroom? Some important points to look out for!
Preventing mould in a bathroom without windows can often be a challenge – but it’s not impossible. Modern ventilation systems can provide adequate air exchange. If the bathroom has an external wall, one option is to install a fan with heat recovery. This saves heating costs and is very energy efficient. What’s more: By law, internal bathrooms must be fitted with an electric fan. If this doesn’t work, electric dehumidifiers can help – or a neighbouring room can be used for targeted ventilation.
How can you deal with mould in the bathroom?
Remove mould as quickly as possible before it has a chance to spread or penetrate deeply into joints. You don’t need a chemical mould remover such as a chlorine cleaner, for this – household products will do the job just as well. Use products such as baking powder and vinegar acid or citric acid to remove mould and then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Don’t forget to dry surfaces thoroughly and ventilate the room! Then follow our 9 tips to prevent any recurrence.