Bathrooms are integral parts of our houses, giving a private refuge for hygiene and relaxation. However, because of their high moisture content, they are also havens for different kinds of mold. Pink mold is one of the most common forms of mold and a regular and alarming invader. Maintaining a healthy living environment requires knowing what causes pink mold to form in bathroom showers and how to treat it efficiently.
Understanding Pink Mold
Pink-colored mold refers to a variety of slimy organisms that can grow in your home’s dark, moist crevices. Serratia marcescens, sometimes known as S. marcescens, is a common type of bacteria that resembles mold.
It usually appears on moist surfaces in the kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms, where it can feed on the phosphorus and fat in soap scum. It can range in color from pink to pinkish-orange or orange. Its favorite areas are shower tile grout and the water lines to the toilet and sink, although it also likes sinks and toilet bowls. It can also appear in the cupboards, on the walls, and on the floors, especially in moist bathrooms.
- pullulans, also known as Aureobasidium pullulans, is another typical pink mold. This fungus begins as a pale pink, white, or yellow color and matures into brown, black, and gray-edged brown. Similar to S. marcescens, it prefers bathrooms, although it grows more frequently on organic materials like paint made from linseed oil, moist wood window frames, and houseplants.
Fusarium, the third type of pink mold, is the least likely to develop in houses. When it happens, it typically starts on indoor plants before moving on to the carpet or wall covering.
What Causes Pink Mold in the Shower?
- Excessive Humidity and Moisture: Showers are naturally moist spaces because water and steam provide the humidity that pink mold needs to grow. Inadequate ventilation makes this problem worse since it keeps moisture on surfaces longer than it should.
- Soap Residue and Organic Matter: Pink mold thrives on soap scum and shampoo residues, which accumulate organic elements on shower surfaces. These leftovers include the nutrients that the bacteria require to grow and multiply.
- Warm Conditions: Usually, bathrooms are warm, especially right before and after a shower. The perfect habitat for pink mold to grow is produced by the warmth and moisture combined.
- Inadequate Cleaning Methods: Unsuitable cleaning techniques or infrequent cleaning sessions may leave behind residues that encourage the growth of pink mold. Bacteria can spread quickly if mold-prone areas, such as shower curtains and grout lines, are ignored.
- Standing Water: Long-term moisture accumulation on surfaces leads to the growth of mold. Standing water, which results from leaking faucets, clogged drains, and insufficient drying of the shower area, is an ideal environment for the growth of pink mold.
The Risks Pink Mold Has to Your Health
While the negative impacts of pink mold are not as extreme as that of black mold, it is not something which should be taken lightly if one observes it. Some of the health concerns associated with fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms are also found with pink mold, similar to bacteria. This is why mold and germs can be very dangerous to health, most noticeable in the elderly, young people and immuno-compromised persons.
The bacteria that produce pink mildew are associated with the following frequent health risks:
- Breathing issues
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Infection in lesions or wounds
- Poisoning with blood
- A case of pneumonia
- Bladder and urinary tract infections
As with any health risk, it’s imperative to address the issue right once to prevent it from getting worse.
Removing Pink Mold From the Shower
Getting our supplies and safety gear on is our first priority when it comes to mold removal. You’ll be relieved to hear that with a little elbow grease and non-toxic materials, we can eradicate mold. For do-it-yourself removal, you’ll need the following:
- Gloves made of rubber
- Face covering
- Eyewear
- Baking soda
- Dish soap in liquid form
- White vinegar that has been distilled
- Scrubbing brush made of nylon
- Spritz container
Once you have assembled your equipment for mold cleanup, proceed to the bathroom, open the windows if any are available and switch on the exhaust fan. Do not forget that every mold and bacteria require water to thrive, this is why it is essential to ensure that your bathroom has proper ventilation. The ventilation will lessen the vapors while you’re cleaning up the mold in addition to assisting with moisture reduction.
If a shower curtain has pink mold on it, you can either clean it in situ or remove it from the liner and wash it together. If you have shower doors, use this shower door cleaning guide:
- Rinse the moldy spots with your shower sprayer with the hottest water available
- Mix one part liquid dish soap with four parts baking soda to make a paste
- Scrub the moldy spots with your nylon scrub brush and baking soda paste
- Use your shower sprayer to rinse away the mold and baking soda residue
- In a spray bottle, combine one part white vinegar and one part water
- Give the shower area a thorough spray down and allow the solution to settle for ten minutes
- After using the nylon brush to scrub any stains that are visible, run hot water over the shower
After the washing cycle is complete, hang the shower curtain and liner somewhere to air dry before replacing them. To further remove the moisture after cleaning, turn on the exhaust fan and leave some windows open for a few hours. Once the pink mold in the shower has been removed, you may remove the remaining mold in your bathroom by using the same process. Use a damp microfiber cloth or another soft cloth in its place, though, rather than your shower spray.
Conclusion
While there is no immediate danger if you discover pink mold in your home, you should still take appropriate action. Mold exposure can cause skin and lung irritation, and it poses a greater risk to those who already have weaker immune systems or respiratory conditions.
If the mold hasn’t grown too big, hydrogen peroxide, borax, or bleach might be used to eradicate it right away. However, if there are significant mold issues, let a professional mold removal company like ServeKings handle the cleanup. Our experts have the skills and tools necessary to handle your mold issue successfully.
