Sometimes pink grout lines in the bathroom can look aesthetic, but if this is due to pink mold, hygiene is compromised. This is usually caused by non-toxic bacteria that develop in wet rooms, which creates the delicate color. These microorganisms are widespread and usually infest the bathtub or shower area. However, this can be easily avoided with some home remedies and cleaning tricks that you can find here.
What is pink mold and how do you get rid of it?
DieCleaning the bathroombrings with it all sorts of sights that are not pleasant, such as soap scum, limescale stains and moldy shower curtains. If this is colored pink, it is a waterborne bacteria called Serratia marcescens. The bacterial colony that grows and spreads in warm, moist environments may appear fuzzy or slimy. However, the color range is affected by certain room temperatures. This is an opportunistic bacteria that is usually spread to surfaces through poor hygiene after handling bodily fluids, such as urine, feces, or pus.
The presence of the bacteria is mainly for people withweakened immune system, babies, on open wounds and harmful to pets. While small colonies rarely cause serious illness, if the bacteria spread, they can lead to urinary tract and bladder infections, blood poisoning, endocarditis, pneumonia, meningitis and bone infections through open wounds. The good news is that Serratia marcescens is mostly harmless. Touching it while showering or cleaning does not cause any problems. However, the pink mold is unsightly and has no place in your bathroom. Fortunately, there are also plenty of cleaning methods that you can use to get rid of it for good.
Clean shower curtain
Because the bacteria can grow on plastic and fabric surfaces, it's a good idea to clean the shower curtain and liner even if you don't see pink bacterial growth on the surfaces. Fill a spray bottle with bleach and water in a 1:1 ratio, then spray any pink stains on your shower curtain and liner. If it is a colorful curtain, use a color-safe cleaner. Then let the cleaning solution sit for 10 minutes. After that, remove both the curtain and its rod and run a cyclein the washing machinethrough. Use your regular laundry detergent and another tablespoon of bleach, but again only if your curtain is white. Finally, hang the shower curtain to dry.
Remove pink mold from shower enclosures and glass doors
It is important to wear rubber gloves, safety glasses and a mask to protect yourself from contact with theto protect bacteria. If you have open wounds, you should also cover them. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with 1 tablespoon of dishwashing detergent or an all-purpose cleaner. The paste will become liquid. Depending on how much area you need to clean, you may want to do a double dose. Then, use a soft brush to apply the paste to the bacteria and scrub away the pink mold. Rinse the area and once the pink is gone you can disinfect it. Again, fill a spray bottle with bleach and water in a 1:1 ratio and spray the contaminated area. Leave the solution on for 10 minutes and then rinse. Dry with a towel or squeegee.
Clean tiles and grout
You can clean grout lines and any hard surfaces that tolerate bleach using the same method as shower walls and doors. To do this, prepare a paste with baking soda and scrub with a brush. You can then disinfect the areas with a bleach mixture. However, if you have natural stone tiles, you should also remember that you can use a mixture of bleach and water on them occasionally. Due to its high pH, bleach can damage natural stone over time. Therefore, seal your stone tiles regularly and keep them as clean and dry as possible so that you don't have to bleach them too often.
More tips against bacterial growth and pink mold
Encourage your children or family members to wash their hands, especially after using the bathroom. This way you can prevent Serratia marcescens from spreading to other surfaces. Because this bacteria requires moisture to thrive and spread, you should take the time to dry your shower area after each use. A window squeegee can do the job in just a few seconds, or you can use a towel for the job. Additionally, it is recommended to wash your shower curtain at least once a month. You should also smooth these out after showering so that they can dry more quickly.
Also remove the soap residue in the bathroom at least once a week. In fact, soap scum contains body oil, which feeds pink mold and causes bacterial growth. Wipe up spills and drips of liquid soap, shampoo and hair conditioner from walls, tiles, bathtubs and floors after each use. Reduce humidity in your home by using exhaust fans and dehumidifiers and repairing leaky plumbing. Unfortunately, you have to put in the effort when it comes to keeping your bathroom free of bacteria, but hygiene and health always come first.
