Unlike a beautiful garden or a cozy living room, the bathroom is not typically an area where anyone looks to spend an extended amount of time. This is particularly true when it comes to cleaning the bathroom. The dreaded, yet necessary task, is often one that falls to the end of the to-do list of chores.
While most of us probably look for ways to avoid the unpleasant task of cleaning the bathroom, there’s an important reason for regular bathroom maintenance, mold. In large amounts, mold can cause fungal infections, allergic reactions and can release poisonous mycotoxins into the air. In a wet environment such as the bathroom it’s nearly impossible to maintain a home that’s completely free from mold, but consistent cleaning of the area can help slow down growth.
Tips to Cut Down on Mold Growth in the Bathroom
- Use the bathroom fan – Mold thrives on moisture so any use of a fan will help dry the walls and surfaces of the bathroom. Make sure the room’s fan is equipped to handle the amount of air for the size of the room. To check, multiply the square feet of the room x 1.1 to find the right sized fan.
- Squeegee the shower walls – The walls of the shower and tub constitute the majority of moisture in the shower. A quick wipe across the walls and floor with a squeegee can go a long way in removing the standing moisture in the area.
- Clean grout and tiles – Each use of the shower creates deposits of grease, dirt, and oil and soap scum. Rock Doctor Tile & Grout safely removes these substances, restoring the color and appearance of the tile and grout. It’s safe for use on ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and granite tiles. In addition to weekly cleaning, once a year clean the grout with a mixture of detergent and water or bleach and water and reseal the area.
- Clean and dust weekly – The ubiquitous dust mite is ever-present throughout the home but its presence has more sinister effects in the bathroom. This is because dust serves as food for the mold. By regularly wiping down all of the surfaces in the room, you can reduce a potential feeding frenzy.
- Check for leaks and slow drains – Both can signify a potential build-up of moisture within the room, making it the perfect environment for mold growth. If you’re not handy, work with a plumber or handyman to identify any water-related problems so they can be rectified directly at the source.
Look for Rock Doctor Tile and Grout Cleaner at Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, then earn a $2 mail-in rebate with the purchase of each Rock Doctor item. Just scan the original receipt and email it to Rock Doctor at lauraj@apexprod.com. For more details about this rebate offer, click here.
This article was brought to you by Rock Doctor, which offers a line of specially-formulated stone cleaner, stone polish, and stone sealer products. Rock Doctor stone care products can be purchased through a number of fine retail stores, including Wal-Mart, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ace Hardware, Do it Best Hardware, Hy-Vee, and Wegmans.
