As the pending southern hemisphere winter knocks on our door, we are faced with many minor headaches across our properties; but none are more annoying than mold buildup in bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Last season was an exceptionally cold winter for us and the amount of heavy mold that I saw in bathrooms and laundry rooms was at monumental levels. Crazy, it doesn’t have to be! There are some simple tricks to prevent mold from taking over your bathroom and damaging paint (which could create bond issues for tenants) and, more importantly, health.
Mold removal should be part of any cleaning routine and should be controlled to reduce the likelihood of growth. After 10 years in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, one thing I have had a lot of experience with is mould; we used to have mold on everything, and I mean everything. If you’re old enough to remember VHS videotapes, even they will get moldy.
So what to do to control mold this coming winter? – If you have a fan in the bathroom, be sure to use it. Always turn on the bathroom fan while you shower, and be sure to leave it running long enough after you’re done to help moisture get out of the bathroom.
For those of you lucky enough to have the old IXL Tastic (heat, fan and light), make sure you have it on, the heater globes will help keep moisture buildup to a minimum while the fan will do the obvious job. .
If you only have one window, be sure to open it up a bit. I know the idea of this isn’t much fun in 2 degree weather, but it’s paramount to keep moisture buildup from vapor to a minimum; this, of course, also applies to laundries, especially when dryers are used. Another good idea while using a dryer is to make sure the door to the laundry room is open, it will not only allow ventilation but also help keep the house warmer.
Finally, if (and when, since you won’t always be able to keep mold at bay) you have a spray bottle of chlorine bleach, not the expensive stuff, just plain household bleach. It costs next to nothing and a few short, hard squirts on the affected area will usually kill mold in its tracks. No need to spray or scrub, just spray and leave, ideally when the area is dry, not just after you shower as it will be diluted and less effective.
These simple tricks will help you survive the mold attack that has become so prevalent during the long, cold winters.
It’s also worth noting that, as a renter, you will most likely be responsible for mold damage. Left unchecked and unchecked, mold can eat away at paint and even walls. So get any mold that is starting to show up now, and this will help keep unsightly growth at bay and can help your health too!