Mildew thrives in moist environments, so it's of little surprise that it can become a nuisance to homes in the Bay Area (and most places near large bodies of water). But even if you live in the middle of the country, there's one part of your home that is highly susceptible to the scourge: the bathroom.
How To: Prevent Mildew in the Bathroom
In order to prevent mildew from cropping up, there are a few steps you can take to tackle the area.
First, assess the situation. Is there already a mildew problem? Mold in tile grout can sometimes be removed with bathroom cleaner and some elbow grease, but if not, replace it with a latex-fortified version. Mold on painted walls or ceilings is a bit more difficult. If you live in a rental we suggest bringing it up with your landlord, as it is possible they'll need to remove parts of the wall to get rid of it for good (and make sure to let the area dry out for at least a day or so before patching).
Once you've gotten rid of the existing mildew, work to prevent it from coming back. Two major ways to do so are with proper air circulation and light filtration. If you have a window keep it open (or at least cracked) as often as possible. Also keep the blinds up to let light into the room (a natural enemy of mold). If you don't have a window consider installing an exhaust fan to move the air around and dry things out a bit, and if you have low-energy light bulbs, try leaving them on for 10 to 15 minutes after showering. If you plan on repainting, ask for a mildewcide additive to be added to the paint before it is mixed. If you are buying paint that is made specifically for a bathroom or kitchen it might already be in there, so ask an expert to see if it's needed.
Lastly, try and keep the area clean. Hang towels, spray tiles with vinegar or store-bought cleaner regularly, and mop up any standing water as quickly as possible.
Any other suggestions? We'd love to hear 'em.
For more information, check out these articles from:
• The Natural Handyman
• The Hardware Aisle
• Essortment
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My place has this same problem bathroom - no window, just a vent. I try to leave the door open while showering (as long as no guests are in the house of course). Also, there was an automatic dehumidifier left here by someone - Hampton Bay is the brand - and just a few minutes of it in there really dries it out. It is noisy and rather large, about the size of a mini fridge - but it's on wheels and stows away in the closet. If you have a desperate situation I would definitely recommend it.
view mmepatty's profile
A roommate of mine kept a squeegee in the shower, and I've adopted the practice of squeegee-ing down the shower walls (and when I'm really not in a hurry, the shower curtain) after a shower. It doesn't dry off the rest of the bathroom, but it helps the shower dry more quickly!
view theresaclare's profile
I recommend Sherwin Williams Duration paint for the bathroom. Mold and mildew don't appear to grow on it, and it's low VOC too.
My master bathroom has no vent, and no windows that open. I thought it would be a mildew nightmare. I painted it with Duration and after 3 years of use, there is not a speck of mold/mildew on the walls. The tub is a different story... :) The Mr. Clean Magic Erasers remove the mold very easily from the tub/shower. After removing, I spray with a bleach solution. This has worked well in my poorly vented bathroom.
view ilovebutter's profile
In my vent-less bathroom, I have found that draping my outer cloth shower curtain over a shelf that sits just outside my shower, with the inner polyester liner hanging outside the tub, allows both to dry and has greatly reduced my mildew problem. Even the "mildew resistant" liners do mildew if they never dry.
I've been trying to squeegee often too.
Of course everyone has different setups, but if you can find a way to make sure your shower curtains dry, you'll find improvement.
view ValHalla's profile
After I squeegee, I spritz the shower with Method's Daily Shower. This not only stops mildew but makes regular cleaning a snap.
view hans111's profile
For a minor mildew problem, sponge a bit of bleach and water on the affected area before repainting.
I've also recently discovered the power of cross-ventilation. If you have windows that oppose, open them both for the most expedient airing. We open both our one bathroom window and a window about twenty-five feet away and down the hall to give our bathroom a major airing. The bathroom door needs to remain open, of course.
Question: Does the mildewcide additive smell of chemicals and/or change the paint color?
view wig3000's profile
I've heard good things about that automatic shower cleaner that Clorox makes. My friend has one and he says he shower is gleaming with nary a mildew spot.
view medusa12120's profile
mildew prevention : clean the shower every week with mildew remover. I've never seen mildew in my current shower or in any of the apartments I've lived before, and I live in a very humid place and the bathroom has little air circulation
view Loreta's profile
We live on the coast and have been battling mildew for years, then we bought a Whirlpool dehumidifier (EnergyStar rated) and roll it around the house when and where we need it. It has been amazing in controlling our mildew. After running it all night there's usually a gallon of water to dump out. Also recommend and eggshell or Benjamin Moore Matte on the walls in the living areas, don't use flat paint.
view hollandstudio's profile
Jay Leno would say "How lazy are we, that we would have this much mildew in our bathrooms" It's called clean your walls at least once in ten years!!!
view poptart's profile
I've found that the Clorox Plus High Efficiency (HE) bleach works particularly well on stubborn mold and mildew, such as when the mold/mildew forms in cracks in the seal around the tub and discolors it from underneath. It's an extra-thick formula bleach, so I paint it on heavily and let it soak in. It has cleaned up some particularly ugly patches around the tub seal, and so far has kept it from re-occurring.
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I Get this all the time. Best to clean it as you go along.
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