Mildew thrives in damp, warm environments. So, there’s no wonder that the bathroom is one of the best locations. Mildew spores like to grow on grout, which porous materials in between shower tiles seem to attract stains.
It isn’t only the black or gray discoloration look unsightly. However, mildew may also trigger allergies in those who are sensitive. Cleaning shower may be tedious, but using some inexpensive natural products can help make the whole process a bit less painful.
You might need to remove mildew from your shower over time. The food sources, humidity, and warmth in a shower are abundant for the growth of mold and mildew.
You may prevent mildew’s growth to a huge extent through following several rules and through elbow grease, you may get rid of it from the shower.
Steps to Follow When Removing Mildew from Shower
1. Scrub and Wash Shower Using a Bathroom Cleaner
To do this, you must wear gloves. Open your bathroom’s windows to ensure enough ventilation. Apply the bathroom cleaner on the shower’s walls. With the use of stiff bristled brush, consider scrubbing the shower thoroughly.
It will help you eliminate the accumulated soap scum, oil, and dirt on the shower walls. Select a cleaner that contains bleach. You may also create your own cleaning solution with bleach and water at 5:1 ratio. Bleach can be effective when eliminating mildew and some microorganisms.
2. Apply a Water and Baking Soda Solution
If mildew is very apparent, you should clean it using baking soda. Create a paste with water and baking soda. Apply this solution to the grout and tiles in your shower. Then, leave it for several hours. Using a brush, scrub the solution to the tiles and grout. If necessary, wash it off and apply it again.
3. Get Rid of the Hard Water Stains
Vinegar is a non-toxic and effective toxic cleaner, which can eliminate hard water stains effectively on shower walls. Fill the spray bottle with vinegars and spray that to the shower walls.
You may also dip paper towels with vinegar as well as lay them on the wall. If the towels or wall become dry, spray some amount of vinegar or you can soak the towels again. Then, place them back to the wall. After this, you should scrub the walls again and make sure that every hard water stain has disappeared.
4. Get Rid of the Mildew Stains
If you still notice some mildew stains in your shower, in the grout or tiles, you will have to use more amount of bleach to clean. Spray a bleach solution on the tiles or grout. Then, leave that for a while.
You can also soak paper towels with some bleach and lay them on the grout and tile. After some hours, scrub that and rinse using a lot of water. It is essential to protect yourself and some fabrics around the shower when you’re cleaning it using bleach.
Aside from irritating the skin, bleach may also discolor some of your garments.
5. Wash the Shower Curtains Regularly
To get rid of mildew from shower curtains, wash them in a solution of bleach and hot water. Prevent mildew growth in the future through cleaning showers weekly or on a regular basis.
You should also use your exhaust fan in your shower at all times. Do not leave the bathroom moist and dark since it’s an ideal growth environment for mold and mildew. Avoid leaving your wet clothes in your shower. Use plain water and squeegee to rinse off soap scum as well as dirt from the walls of your shower daily. It will help you prevent mildew growth to a huge extent.
Tips to Prevent Mildew in Shower
It isn’t surprising that your shower is susceptible to the scourge since mildew often thrives in moist environments. For you to prevent mildew, here are some of the things you should take for consideration:
- Evaluate the Situation
There are times that grout mold can be eliminated using elbow grease and bathroom cleaners. But, if these are not enough, replace the grout with latex-fortified version. Mold on the painted ceilings or walls can be a bit tough. If you’re living in a rental, it is recommended to bring it up with your landlord since it’s possible they will require to get rid of the wall parts for good.
- Keep Your Shower Clean
Spray tiles with store-bought cleaners on a regular basis, hang towels, and mop up the standing water as fast as possible.
The most essential aspect to keep your shower clean is avoiding the buildup of mildew, mold, and grime that inevitably come with your home’s wettest area. The simplest way to prevent it is through ensuring that your shower has lots of time to air out after use. Once you get out of your shower, wipe the flower as well as close the curtain so it may dry out completely.
Shower curtains are mildew’s prime targets. If you have a door in your shower, leave it open to air out the shower’s inside. Doing such things every day after you bathe is the simplest way to prevent the growth of mildew and mold.
Using and buying a shower spray is another simple way to ensure that you do not get mold growing on shower walls, door, and curtain. There are lots of brands you can choose from, which range from the all-natural citrus sprays to hardcore chemicals with some strong scent.
The thought is that the shower spray used when walls and curtains are wet to help stop mildew in their tracks.
Another way to ensure that your shower air out properly is through turning on the ventilation fan or leaving the windows open. Start the ventilation fan before running the water and leave that running until the steam has cleared out completely.
If you have windows in the shower and it is a fair weather month, open windows before showering and leave that open until your bathroom is dry again.
