7 Ways to Tame Mold-Causing Moisture in Your Bathroom
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/bathroom-extra-moisture-GettyImages-1443232208-9760a0834d6b4d9091252c54d2f3fe7e.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1)
A steam room feels luxurious, but a bathroom that’s steamy 24-7 doesn’t have quite the same effect. Bathrooms are, of course, prone to humidity since we use them to bathe and shower, but excess moisture can lead to some unwanted “decor,” like mold and mildew. You could take quicker, colder showers, but who wants to do that? There are plenty of other ways to keep your bathroom a serene, mold-free oasis. Read on!
Get Whatever Fan You Can
This one seems obvious, but it bears mentioning. An exhaust fan will remove stale, moist air from your bathroom and keep the whole place dryer. If you don’t have one, you can have a professional install a wall-mounted exhaust fan on one of the external walls of your bathroom.
If you have a ventilation fan, this works well too! Ventilation fans circulate the air and pull in air from outside. You can buy portable ones (yay!), so if you don’t have one currently, consider investing in a small one for your bathroom. It will help!
Leave Doors Open
We’re not saying you have to keep the bathroom door open while you shower, but cracking it even a little after you’re out can help let some of the steam out and improve ventilation. Do this for at least 30 minutes, and your walls will thank you. It’s also helpful if there’s a small gap between the bottom of your bathroom door and the floor. It seems like something you wouldn’t want, but this creates automatic ventilation even when the door is closed, so it’s a win. If you’re lucky enough to have a window in your bathroom, leave this open too!
Bring in House Plants
Some house plants thrive in humidity and simultaneously help remove moisture from the air. Talk about the perfect symbiotic relationship. They also happen to look pretty in a bathroom. Ferns, snake plants, and spider plants can all absorb moisture and do well in moderate to low light if your bathroom is windowless.
Dry Towels Outside of the Bathroom
Most of us hang our damp towels on a hook or on a towel bar, but you may want to rethink that. Wet towels can make the air damp, and that moist air can keep your towels from fully drying. It’s a cycle of musty destruction! If you really have your heart set on leaving them in the bathroom, increase ventilation with a fan or invest in a towel drying rack.
Wipe Down Surfaces
It isn’t groundbreaking, but yes, drying water off of your floor and countertops after a shower can help keep moisture from hanging around for too long. You don’t have to drag out a ton of cleaning supplies after your shower, but using a microfiber cloth for the exterior and a squeegee in the shower can work wonders.
Add Heat
Hot air can reduce condensation, so turn up the thermostat a bit higher in your bathroom to help with drips and drops. You can also try installing a heated towel rack, which helps in two ways: less humidity in the air and warm, dry towels. Heated flooring is also a great solution (and super luxurious feeling).
Choose Your Paint Wisely
There are now plenty of paint brands that make mold and mildew resistant paint, perfect for bathrooms. These paints are created to resist any water absorption and some of them even include fungicides in the formula to kill budding mold spores. If this specialized paint isn’t in the cards for you, opt for a high gloss or satin paint finish. These finishes are less likely to trap mold and are easier to wipe down.
Source link