How to remove black mold from shower curtains

Not only is black mold unsightly, but it can also pose a health risk to you and your family. This article will explain how to get rid of black mold on shower curtains and how to prevent it from coming back.

Contents

What causes black mold on shower curtains?

First of all, it is important to understand what causes mildew on shower curtains. Quite simply, it can grow anywhere there is excessive moisture. This moisture can take many forms including condensation, damp high or a leaking pipe somewhere in the house. Prevention is always the first step when dealing with this type of situation. It is important to find the cause before you can begin to remove it.

If you see mold on your shower curtain, you have a humidity problem. You can solve this problem by reducing the amount of humidity in your bathroom and shower. that the curtain is completely closed will allow excess water to run down the curtain and air dry.

Remember that this bacteria is a potentially dangerous substance. It can wreak havoc on someone with a weakened immune system or breathing problems. Wear the proper safety equipment when handling this dangerous substance. Make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area. You can wear safety glasses and a mask to protect your eyes and lungs.

Get rid of black mold in shower curtains

Removing the black stuff can be a tricky process. If they are porous areas, such as carpets and drywall, they may need to be discarded or removed. If you are trying to remove bacteria from a vinyl curtain, you can follow the steps below.

Clean with bleach

Decide whether you will try to remove it while the shower curtain is hanging or take it apart to clean it. If you are working with a vinyl or plastic shower curtain, you can clean it while it is still hanging .

Step 1: Make sure you are in a well ventilated area as you will be working with bleach.

Step 2: Open the curtain and, using a spray bottle containing four parts water and one part bleach, spray the area with the solution.

Step 3: Wipe it with a damp cloth or rag. The black mold should wipe off the smooth surface fairly easily. Again, make sure you are in a well-ventilated area. Use common sense when you're working with bleach because it can strip color from most surfaces. Read the label on the bottle if you're not sure which surfaces you're about to clean.

clean with vinegar

Some people don't like using bleach to clean plastic or vinyl shower curtains because of the toxic fumes. If you prefer, you can use white vinegar instead.

Step 1: Fill a spray bottle with one part vinegar and one part water.

Step 2: Spray the curtain as mentioned above.

Step 3: Give it a good scrub. You can leave the spray bottle with the solution in your shower.

As preventative maintenance, spray the curtain with the vinegar solution once a week and let it air dry. This will help keep it from coming back.

Clean with baking soda

If you still see black, pink, green or brown discoloration after following the above steps using an anti-mold solution, you can try using baking soda. Simply make a paste using equal parts of the baking soda and water. Using gloves, rub this paste on the remaining moldy areas to remove them. Scrub, clean and rinse. Repeat if necessary.

Keep in mind that to prevent the substantia nigra from coming back it is crucial to find the source of the humidity. Only by reducing the humidity can you control it. Otherwise it will keep coming back again and even.

How to remove black mold from a fabric or fabric curtain

If you are trying to remove black mold from a fabric or fabric curtain, the cleaning process will be a bit more difficult. These 2 solutions should work:

You can try removing the curtain and washing it with a mild detergent in the washing machine. You can also apply vinegar to the dark areas and scrub it with a brush before throwing it in the machine. Using bleach will likely ruin the colors, so consider using a color-safe laundry detergent if you choose to use bleach.

How to wash your moldy shower curtains

If you have fabric shower curtains, you can wash them in your washing machine with a few towels. Add a cup of detergent and 1/2 cup of borax or baking soda. A cup of white vinegar added to the cycle of rinsing will also help remove black mold. After washing, hang the curtain outside to dry in the sun.

Curtain liners

Moldy shower liners can also be washed in your washing machine following the instructions for fabric curtains - with one exception. Remove the liner before the final spin cycle. Then simply hang up to dry in the sun.

Another cleaning method for a moldy liner involves a little more work, but is quite effective. Take the liner out and lay it out on a flat surface like a driveway. Spray the liner thoroughly with a mildew remover solution such as a one part hydrogen peroxide and one part water. Equal parts vinegar and water will also work. If you can tolerate the use of bleach, a solution containing four parts water and one part bleach will also remove it. Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes, then scrub. Remember to treat the other side if necessary. Rinse well and allow the liner to dry in the sun.

Mildew Resistant Shower Curtains

Most heavy-duty liners are made of polyester, vinyl, or plastic, which are treated with chemicals. Although they seem to retard mold growth, they will not protect indefinitely. The reason for this is that soap scum and bacteria that will eventually coat the resist liner is what the mildew will actually feed on. So yes, resists work, but only until they get a little dirty. The trick is to clean them frequently and keep them dry. spray with a vinegar solution after each shower. Be sure to close curtains completely after use so they air dry.

Types of mold

Mold can be found in a wide range of colors including black, brown, green, blue, white, gray, pink, red and orange. Those likely to appear in your bathroom bath are usually black, pink, dark green or brown. Any black mold is probably stachybotrys, especially bad because of the mycotoxins it releases. The pink coloring is most likely acremonium, which is known to grow alongside stachybotrys .A green or brown color indicates the presence of Alternaria, the most common mold allergen.

This bacterium poses a health hazard, so it is best to throw away all items from which the substance cannot be completely removed. Remember that it grows quickly in humid conditions. If you don't want it returns, you will need to control high humidity conditions.

After removing the substance from the shower curtain, it is important to keep the curtain as dry as possible. One way to do this is after taking a shower; make sure the curtain is fully closed to allow water to escape. drain away from the curtain. If you leave the curtain drawn back, it could trap excess water and moisture, causing mildew to return.

Prevent mold growth

The best way to prevent mold is to keep mold-prone areas dry and free of excess moisture. You can use a dehumidifier to try and control the amount of moisture in the air. If you start to see it coming back , rub it and repeat the above process if necessary. Sometimes the easiest solution is to buy two shower curtains, a decorative curtain for the outside and a cheap disposable vinyl curtain for the inside. If you use this system, you can throw away and replace the disposable liner every month or as needed so mold doesn't have time to form on the liner. This inexpensive solution could save you time and money. money.