How to Remove Mold & Mildew In the Bathroom

What's the Difference Between Mold and Mildew?

Mildew is actually a type of mold. It typically grows in a flat pattern on surfaces like shower walls, grout, and window sills, and is easier to remove than other types of mold. Black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) is more serious and usually appears dark greenish-black. The issue with black mold is it can produce mycotoxins that may cause health issues, especially for people with asthma, allergies, or compromised immune systems.

Exposure to mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. People with asthma or mold allergies may have severe reactions. That's why it's important to remove mold promptly and address the moisture problem that's causing it. 

Why the Bathroom Gets Moldy and Mildewy

Bathrooms are ground zero for mold and mildew because they combine the two things these fungi need most: moisture and warmth. So every time you shower, bathe, and use the sink, you’re introducing humidity into the air. When that moisture doesn't have a way to escape—through proper ventilation or airflow—it settles on surfaces and seeps into porous materials. 

Add in the fact that bathrooms often stay warm and have plenty of organic material (soap scum, skin cells, dust) for mold to feed on, and you've got the perfect breeding ground. That's why even clean bathrooms can develop mold problems if the moisture issue isn't addressed.

In bathrooms, the most common areas where mold grows are:

• Shower and tub grout lines
• Caulk around the tub or shower
• Shower curtains and liners
• Under sink cabinets (especially if there's a leak)
• Bathroom ceilings (if ventilation is poor)
• Around windows and window sills
• Behind toilets

If you can see or smell mold, you have mold—even if it's just a few spots.

How to Remove Mold and Mildew

For surface mold on hard bathroom surfaces, you can clean it yourself. Scrub mold off hard surfaces with a non-toxic bathroom cleaner (avoid bleach as it only increases your toxin exposure) and water, and dry the area completely. If mold has gotten into porous materials like drywall or insulation, you may need professional help.

Here’s a Step-By-Step Guide for How to Remove Mold in the Bathroom: 

Step 1: Protect yourself. Wear gloves, goggles, and consider an N-95 respirator to avoid breathing in mold spores. Open windows and run the exhaust fan for ventilation.

Step 2: Apply cleaner. Spray Truly Free Home Bathroom Cleaner directly onto moldy areas. Our plant-powered formula relies on safe ingredients like citric acid and a sugar-derived surfactant to cut through grime and kill mold without harsh chemicals or toxic fumes.

Step 3: Let it sit. Allow the cleaner to sit for 5-10 minutes so it can break down the mold.

Step 4: Scrub thoroughly. Use a stiff brush to scrub grout lines, corners, and any textured surfaces where mold is hiding. For stubborn mold in grout, you may need to scrub several times.

Step 5: Rinse and dry. Rinse the area with water and wipe it dry completely. Mold can't grow without moisture, so drying surfaces thoroughly is critical.

Step 6: Check for hidden mold. Look under sink cabinets, behind the toilet, and around pipes for any signs of moisture or mold. If you find a water leak, fix it immediately.