You're in your bathroom and you happen to look up.
You think to yourself, "What's that on the ceiling?" And then you say to yourself, "Oh no...it's mold."
Don't freak out. Usually a cleaning solution of one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid,
1/2 cup of chlorine bleach, and one cup of warm water...all added to a spray bottle and given a little shake, will arm you with the perfect mixture to clean that mold.
Put on a pair of
cleaning gloves and protective eyewear (maybe a mask too...here's a use for those Covid facemasks you may have crumpled in a drawer), turn on the ventilation fan, spray the solution on the moldy area, wait a minute, and then wipe it off with a cleaning sponge (NOT the one you use for your dishes.)
More important, do what you can to prevent mold from forming/re-forming. Here are tips for mold prevention:
1. Open the bathroom windows before, during, and after your shower. Doing so will allow the hot steam from the shower to escape, rather than sit on your walls and ceilings resulting in the perfect breeding ground for mold.
I always crack the window before showering and leave it cracked open during my shower. After I'm showered and dressed, I open the window wide to allow that moisture to thoroughly escape.
If you don't want to forget to shut your window before leaving your home, place your car keys on your bathroom windowsill to remind you to shut it before you drive off.
I also crack the windows open in my dinette area, which is next to my kitchen, when I'm boiling water for pasta and such...to allow that moisture to escape.
2. Run the exhaust fans. If you have exhaust fans in your kitchen, bathroom, and/or laundry room, use them. They will help prevent mold.
In the bathroom, run your exhaust fan during and after your shower. I usually allow mine to continue running for at least 20 minutes after showering.
3. Use a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers help remove excess moisture from the
air. Portable ones are small. If you have a lot of moisture, you'll likely need to empty it once per day.
If you can't use a dehumidifier (my daughter cannot because they don't allow
these in her college dorm), then use a product like DampRid.
4. Don't leave wet items in the bathroom. Damp towels and damp bathrobes are breeding grounds for mold and mildew...yuck! So while some folks like to use and reuse their towels several times before washing and drying, you may be
doing more harm than good. If you are going to do this, launder bath towels, at maximum, every three days.
Also, after showering, spread your shower curtain wide so it dries properly, and
wash it once every month. Most can be tossed in the washing machine.
5. Dry wet areas. Do you know what mold can't grow without? Moisture! Dry the shower walls and shower
door after a shower. A squeegee can help you do this quicker. Never leave wet clothes inside a washing machine. Keep your kitchen and
bathroom sinks dry when they're not in use. You get the idea.
