Have you ever seen pink mold in your bathroom?
We all do our best to keep our bathrooms clean, but have you happened to notice some of your tiles turning pink? That is actually pink mold, and you may have something to tackle differently.
The reality is that even if you know how to clean efficiently and make sure not to neglect any part of your bathroom, this type of icky, pink-hued slime can still lurk in your bathroom despite your best efforts.
The good news is that it is not black mold, so you can rest assured on that front. However, whether it is pink, yellow, orange, or red in color, this mold is a type of fungus, and despite its slimy texture when you touch it, you need to tackle it directly!
In reality, a lot of people have to handle a lot of these problems, so there is no need to be embarrassed if you have found it behind a few shampoo bottles despite your best cleaning efforts.
The important part now is to know how you can get rid of it and how you can prevent it from coming back!
If you want to understand this common type of mold, what it is, and how you can remove and prevent it from returning, make sure you keep on reading!
Have you ever had to deal with it? If so, what did you do to get rid of it? Share your cleaning tips in the comments below!
What is pink mold?
While you may see it commonly referred to as pink mold, this slimy-like pink substance is not a type of mold. It has just been easier for people to call it mold, but in reality, it is different from the spore that causes mold and from other types of mold you may see around the bathroom and home.
The pink gun is actually a bacteria by the name of Serratia marcescens, and it is an airborne type of bacteria. This bacteria creates this type of slime mold that people call “pink mold,” despite it not being a mold and not always presenting as pink.
You may have seen it in its common pink hue, but the bacteria can actually end up being any color from pink to red and orange, sometimes even yellow, as it is dependent on the bathroom conditions: how much sunlight it can get, temperature, and, of course, humidity levels in the bathroom!
What caused it to appear in your shower?
There is no need to think that you are not cleaning your shower well, that you have done something wrong, or even that your cleaning products are faulty if you have encountered this slime in your bathroom before.
Serratia marcescens is actually quite a common occurrence in people’s bathrooms, and this is because it is the type of bacteria that loves moist and humid environments. This makes your bathroom, in particular, your shower, a prime spot for its appearance.
What’s more, this bacteria feeds on fats and minerals. Soap scum is generally full of mineral deposits, while shampoo residue that is left on the tiles is full of fats due to cleansing your hair, so your shower is basically an all-you-can-eat buffet for this slime mold.
The bacteria is most commonly found in grout lines, in caulk crevices, and, you probably guessed it, around your shower gel and shampoo bottles, where they can easily access their food.
Is it dangerous for your health?
The good news is that while it is a bacteria, it is not in the same category as toxic black mold. Pink mold (which is more like a colony of slime bacteria that resembles mold) is not a health concern for most healthy adults who have a pretty good immune system.
However, it is still unsightly, and most of us would want to get rid of it as soon as possible. Not to mention, if you do not deal with it when you first notice it, there is a high chance that this slime colony will continue to evolve, creating more spores and invading more and more of your bathroom.
The baseline, as with any bacteria or mold you may encounter, is that it is better to be safe than sorry, no matter if your immune system is compromised or not.
You see it, you deal with it, and you do not have to worry about any guests that may come over noticing it!
Keep on reading to discover how you can clean it and how you can prevent it from returning to your tiles!
Can you get rid of it?
Another good news you should be happy to hear is the fact that it is not hard to get rid of pink mold from your bathroom. All you will need is a good cleaner (like Zep grout cleaner or The Pink Stuff) and some elbow grease, and you can easily scrub the slime away!
However, if you prefer to use some more natural and homemade options, you do not have to look too hard to find some that are effective.
Some professional cleaners like to mix one part liquid dish soap with four parts baking soda and then use that to scrub away both pink mold and any scum left on the titles. This DIY shower scrub works well as an overall cleaner, and it will also save you some money since you will be using items you already have on hand!
No matter what type of cleaning paste you use, make sure you are wearing gloves before you start cleaning. Apply the paste to the shower and areas where you see pink mold, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Using a handy sponge (the Scrub Daddy is the best one), you can scrub away any dirty and pink mold.
Rinse the tiles thoroughly, and then dry the shower with a clean microfiber cloth! If you do not dry the tiles, the unsightly pink slime will have a better comeback than you can imagine!
5 tips to prevent it from coming back!
If you have dealt with the dreaded pink mold once, you know that it has a habit of coming back pretty fast. Yet, this does not mean that you have to give up your beloved hot baths and steamy showers!
Here are some of the best ways to limit your chances of having to deal with pink mold again and again!
1. Air out the bathroom!
The best way is to make sure you ventilate the bathroom, and you can easily use an exhaust fan for this! If you do not have one, opening the window will also work wonders, but you need to make sure you are not letting in insects with that option.
If you have a closed-off bathroom with no windows and do not have an exhaust fan, you can also use a normal battery desk fan to get the air circulating in your bathroom. No matter which one you use, let it run for about half an hour after every shower!
Experts in slime molds have shared that keeping the moisture and humidity levels of your bathroom as low as possible is the best way to battle pink mold. However, it can be tricky at times since bathrooms are very wet spots. So make sure you keep reading for our next solutions!
2. Pay attention to dry surfaces!
Yes, you need to make sure you clean all the small spots and nooks and crannies where soap scum and shampoo residue can hide. However, you also need to not forget about any dry surfaces.
You never know where these residues can collect, and in between deep cleaning your bathroom and scrubbing your grout, you can spare a few minutes to wipe away any surfaces around your shampoo and soap, including the counters and other dry spots!
3. Use the squeegee!
You may have seen this tip before, but maybe not in relation to pink mold. Yet, you should never skip using the squeegee on your walls or even on the glass doors of your shower if you have them. That way, you get rid of a lot of potential and keep things fairly clean.
Not to mention, you can also use a commercial leave-on shower spray and spritz it on the shower, and that way you can help prevent the buildup!
4. Antimicrobial items are the way to go!
Since pink mold is a bacteria, you need to minimize the chances of having too many microbes in your bathroom.
We suggest you invest in quick-dry shower curtain liners and bath mats, which also have antibacterial properties! That way, you can easily reduce the chance of bacterial growth and, thus, pink mold.
When it comes to bath mats, a diatomite stone bath mat may be the way to go when it comes to quick-dry options!
5. Get rid of clutter!
Last but definitely not least, you should make sure to declutter. Pink mold loves to grow around shampoo and shower gel bottles and directly behind them on the wall, so if you have a lot of clutter when it comes to them, you’re inviting the slime into your life!
Declutter your shower area, clean it well, and then get yourself a bathroom organizer where you only keep the products you use! Believe us, it’s a game-changer!
You may not be dealing with pink mold, but there are ways in which you can make sure your home is spotless and clean. Read all about the best shower cleaners used by professionals in our article here!
