The Easy Shower Cleaning Trick That Prevents Mold and Grime

Your shower is where you get clean, so of course you want it to feel clean every time you step into it. But showers are optimal environments for mold, which thrives in warm, damp areas. High humidity from warm water creates moisture that lingers on shower surfaces. When this moisture combines with soap and shampoo residue, it creates the perfect conditions for mold growth. Luckily, there is a way to slow this process and keep your shower glistening for longer. Ahead, we're sharing the shower cleaning method experts swear by if you want to prevent mold and mildew growth.

The Best Way to Prevent Shower Mold

One of the best ways to prevent mold from growing in your shower is to dry any water on the glass, grout, and tiles after every use. "By not allowing water to sit in an unventilated warm space, you eliminate the risk of mold growing," says Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.

Drying your shower after every use gets rid of the damp environment mold needs to grow. "Similarly, soap scum, body oils, and shampoo residue can act as food for mold and mildew," says Alicia Sokolowski, president and co-CEO at AspenClean. "Therefore, wiping the surfaces is the best prevention."

How to Dry Your Shower the Right Way

To dry your shower effectively, you will need a squeegee and a microfiber cloth. "Doing this process takes less than two to three minutes, but it makes a huge difference in keeping your shower mold-free," says Sokolowski.

1. Use a squeegee: Run a squeegee down the walls, glass doors, and tiles. Proceed from top to bottom. This removes most of the water before it has a chance to settle into grout or corners.
2. Wipe with a microfiber cloth: Use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the handles, faucets, ledges, and corners where water tends to collect.
3. Focus on harder to reach areas: Pay extra attention to high-risk spots, such as grout lines, corners and edges, shower door tracks, and behind bottles and caddies.
4. Provide ventilation: Leave the door or curtain open.

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Materials and Areas That Benefit Most From Drying

Certain materials and areas of the shower build up with mold quicker than others, so it's especially important to pay attention to the following when cleaning.

• Grout and caulk: Both grout and caulk are porous and trap moisture easily, making them the top spots for mold growth. According to Sokolowski, regular drying keeps them intact longer.
• Natural stone: Natural materials like marble, limestone, travertine, and slate are highly porous materials that easily grow mold without adequate care. "Wiping these surfaces dry helps prevent etching, discoloration, and mildew," says Sokolowski.
• Glass shower doors: Drying shower doors prevents water spots, soap scum, and mineral buildup, which can cloud the glass.
• Meta fixtures: Drying metal fixtures, such as chrome, stainless steel, and brass, helps prevent hard water spots, tarnish, or corrosion from forming, Sokolowski notes.
• Acrylic and fiberglass: These materials are less porous than natural stone, but still need proper drying to prevent soap scum buildup and mold.

Additional Tips for Preventing Shower Mold

While drying you shower after every use is the most effective way to prevent mold and mildew, there are other steps you can take to prevent buildup for even longer.

• Ventilation: According to Mock, airflow is key to mold remediation. Using an exhaust fan for at least 20 minutes after you shower can reduce humidity in the air. If you don't have a fan, Sokolowski says to leave the door or window open.
• Regular cleaning: Deep clean your shower once a week to keep residue and mold from accumulating, making sure to clean your shower drain and shampoo and conditioner bottles.
• Use mold-resistant products: Mock recommends using mold-resistant grout and caulk as an extra precaution against mold and mildew.
• Replace your shower curtain and liner: Shower curtains and liners trap moisture and residue. Fabric liners can be machine-washed, but plastic ones may need replacing if they get moldy.
• Don't leave damp towels in the bathroom: Damp towels kept inside the bathroom increase overall humidity. If possible, Sokolowski recommends leaving them hanging outside to dry in natural sunshine.