Bathroom mould can be stubborn and unsightly issue that affects many homes. Beyond making your bathroom look unkempt, mould can also pose health risks to your family and affect your overall sense of wellbeing.

The good news is that once you understand the causes of mould, and how you can treat and prevent it, you can restore your bathroom back to being a clean and healthy space.

What causes mould in bathrooms?

Mould thrives in any warm and moist environment which is the reason why it is commonly found in your bathroom. Microscopic mould spores are carried in the air, and when they find conditions where they can grow, they will spread quickly to cause large dark patches to appear on walls and ceilings. The main causes of mould in bathrooms are:

Excess humidity levels

Every time you take a shower or bath, steam is released into the air and this causes the humidity levels to rise. If the moisture in the air can’t escape quickly, it lingers on surfaces such as tiles, grout, and ceilings creating ideal conditions for mould spores to settle and grow.

Poor ventilation

A lack of air movement means the damp air hangs around longer than it should. Bathrooms without an extractor fan or regular airflow through a window are particularly susceptible to humidity and mould.

Condensation

The result of high humidity is condensation. When steam meets cold surfaces, such as walls, it condenses into water droplets. If this water seeps through into the underlying material, it will create persistent damp patches where mould can take hold, especially in hard-to-reach corners.

Infrequent cleaning

Mould spores are always present in the air, but regular cleaning disrupts their ability to establish colonies. Overlooked areas like grout lines or silicone seals are particularly vulnerable if not cleaned frequently.

The impact of mould on your health and wellbeing

Mould can take a toll on the health and wellbeing of you and your family.

Physically, inhaling mould spores can trigger allergic reactions, including sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. People with asthma or pre-existing respiratory conditions may notice worsening symptoms. In some individuals, skin irritation or persistent coughing can also occur.

Mentally, mould often causes stress and frustration. It can be embarrassing when guests notice black patches around your shower or ceiling. The constant effort of scrubbing only to see it return can feel like a never-ending battle. For households with young children, elderly family members or pets, the health implications can be especially worrying.

Cleaning mould effectively

If mould has already made an unwelcome appearance, tackling it quickly and safely is key. Here's a simple step-by-step approach.

To prepare for cleaning mould, you should make sure that you are well protected with rubber gloves, eye coverings, and a face mask to prevent mould spores being inhaled. You will need a spray bottle and some cloths for cleaning that you should throw away after use as well as a small scrubbing brush to get into hard to reach areas.

You can use a variety of different cleaning solutions to remove mould. Milder products such as white vinegar or baking soda can be effective if you don’t want to use a harsher product such as dilute bleach or a special fungicide spray.

When you have the equipment ready, make sure that your bathroom is well ventilated, and follow these steps to clean the mould off surfaces:

Spray the affected area with your cleaning product
Let the cleaner sit for at least 10–15 minutes to kill the mould
Scrub gently but thoroughly using your brush or sponge.
Rinse the area well with warm water
Wipe dry completely.

Dispose of any cleaning cloths after use to avoid spreading mould to other areas of your home.

How to prevent mould from coming back

Prevention is far easier than repeated scrubbing every time the mould comes back, so take steps to stop mould.

Ensure that your bathroom has an extractor fan that is suitable and working correctly. Models such as the EnviroVent Cyclone 8 feature a humidity sensor that detects the amount of water vapour in the air and adjusts its power level accordingly. The extractor fan will remove the humid air before condensation can form.

If you are finding that condensation from your bathroom is escaping into other rooms, whole house ventilation could be the answer. PIV systems such as EnviroVent ATMOS feature a central unit and draw air into your home from outdoors. This air displaces the humid, stale air from your home, and helps to reduce the risk of condensation and mould.

Find out more

Get help with condensation and mould from a local ventilation specialist. Enter your postcode below to find a local EnviroVent expert. We can visit your home to conduct a free survey that will identify the sources of condensation and mould before providing you with advice about the best solution for your needs.

One of our local experts will contact you to learn more about your problems, offer free expert advice and make recommendations for a solution.

During the free survey we will

How to Reduce Bathroom Mould