Mold and mildew are not only unsightly, but can cause health problems, especially in allergy sufferers. In addition, when humidity levels are so high that mildew appears on the walls, it serves as a forewarning: eventually there will be structural damage to the house if mold and mildew are not brought under control. It is of course best to prevent mold in the first place.
Prevention
Controlling indoor humidity is key to preventing fungus growth inside the house. Humidity should be kept below 40 percent at all times, which can be achieved with the help of dehumidifiers in trouble spots, as well as strategically placed fans. Mildew behind pictures can be prevented by only hanging pictures on interior walls. If this seems too restrictive, placing small pieces of cork on the back of each picture frame allow air flow and prevent moisture buildup.
Tools
Preventing mold is all about keeping things dry. A spray bottle filled with white vinegar, cleaning rags, worn-out tooth brushes, a plastic scrub brush, and a plastic shower squeegee can be kept inside the shower. Immediately dry the shower stall while you are still in it, and you’ll never see those gray stains appear in your bathroom. With all the tiles still wet, any grime that might be present will be easily wiped off—no cleaner or elbow grease needed!
Mildew
White vinegar is perfect to eradicate surface mildew. Put some on a rag and simply wipe it off, or put full strength white vinegar into a spray bottle, spray on spot and let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off. If the spot is very persistent, put some white vinegar into a glass jar and add an inch-long section of copper wire. Let this sit for a couple of days, then remove the copper. Leaving the copper in for longer will make the vinegar too coppery and stain your walls. Clean the surface with the vinegar. Copper kills fungi and will also prevent it from coming back. Dry the wall, and do not rinse it.
Products
It is easy to clean the bathroom in a way that is inoffensive to eyes, lungs, and nervous system. For the shower, Seventh Generation has an effective shower cleaner where the main ingredient is hydrogen peroxide. Other effective products include Sound Earth’s The Velvet Hammer and Earth Friendly Shower Cleaner. In the absence of a prepared cleaner, you can treat stubborn dirt by also putting borax, which is made form natural minerals, on a scouring pad. In a pinch, you can make your own paste to scrub tiles and grout, combining one part salt, one part baking soda, and one part vinegar.
Warning
Please be careful not to turn your bathroom into the site of a chemistry experiment gone awry. Do not try to spiff up a home-made cleaner like vinegar and baking soda with a commercial cleaner. It is both unnecessary and dangerous. Also, of course, never mix ammonia and bleach. Be advised that commercial tile and grout cleaners usually contain a combination of glycol ethers and monoethanolamine (MEA). MEA has been associated, among other things, with asthma and liver damage, if it is inhaled as it easily can be. Other irritating ingredients in such cleaners may include either hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, both of which can cause burns on the skin and in the lungs and throat.
References
- 2. Green Housekeeping, Ellen Sandbeck, Scribner, 2006, New York, NY
- The Green Guide
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