How to Remove Shower Mold and Mildew for a Bathroom That Sparkles

When mold and mildew show up in your shower, you’ll want to get right to work. If not dealt with swiftly, the problem will only escalate—along with the potential for health risks and household damage.

"Mold and mildew can thrive in damp places with little airflow, so showers can easily be a hot spot," says cleaning pro Vanessa Amaro. "Whenever there’s a lot of moisture and humidity, it’s the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow." 

Here's how to eradicate mold and mildew in your shower before it develops from an unsightly nuisance to a larger problem.

What Causes Mold and Mildew in Showers

If your shower has poor ventilation, or if water tends to sit on the surface for a while, that’s an invitation for mold and mildew to take hold. “The shower environment, with its added moisture, provides an ideal breeding ground for these fungi to easily grow and spread if not managed regularly,” notes Kathy Cohoon, operations director at Two Maids. The bath products and body oils that your shower regularly sees make this site even more ideal.

How to Identify Shower Mold and Mildew

Mildew is the precursor to mold and looks flat, white, and powdery, usually appearing along grout lines or tile. “Shower curtains, especially if they remain damp after use, can be a strong source of mildew buildup,” notes Cohoon.

Mold, on the other hand, comes in varying colors such as green, black, and red, and looks like dots or spots on shower tiles, walls, and grout. Both emit a separate, yet distinct musty odor, and both should be dealt with ASAP. 

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How to Clean Your Shower to Remove Mold and Mildew

Noticing spots of mold and mildew? Choose a method below and follow their simple steps to safely clean and restore a fresh, sparkling bathroom.

Materials Needed:

• Baking soda
• Warm water
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Sponge or no-scratch scouring pad
• Small cleaning brush or an old toothbrush
• Microfiber cloth
• Rubber gloves
• Grout cleaner
• Bleach (optional)

Method 1: Vinegar Spray

1. Add white vinegar to a spray bottle and spray the shower and tub area liberally, focusing on grout lines, shower curtain liners, and any other areas commonly affected by mold and mildew.
2. Allow the vinegar to dry completely.
3. Spray the area once more with vinegar. Use a spare toothbrush or small cleaning brush to gently remove more stubborn spots.
4. Wipe the surfaces clean with a dry microfiber cloth.

Method 2: Baking Soda Spray

1. Combine a tablespoon of baking soda and some water in a spray bottle and shake.
2. Spray this solution onto moldy or mildewed shower walls, tiling, and/or other affected surfaces.
3. Scrub using a sponge or no-scratch scouring pad.
4. Rinse away with water.
5. Repeat as needed.

For Stubborn, Stuck-On Mold or Mildew

1. Combine baking soda with warm water to create a paste.
2. Spread the paste onto the moldy or mildewed area. Allow to sit for up to ten minutes.
3. Using a small cleaning brush or an old toothbrush, scrub the surface.
4. Rinse the area well with water.
5. Repeat as needed.
   

Alternate Method: Using a Bleach Solution

Cleaning professional Marla Mock prefers using bleach to clean mold and mildew from showers. “When it comes to removing mold and mildew from the shower surface, caulk and tile grout, it’s best to use a bleach solution strong enough to soak and kill the mold,” she says.

If you opt to use this method, be sure to use caution and follow proper disposal protocols. Always use cleaning gloves to protect your skin, and make sure to wear old clothes in case of spillage. Ensure proper ventilation by opening windows and running the bathroom fan during and after cleaning.

1. Use a microfiber cloth or scrubbing brush to clean loose dust and debris.
2. Create a bleach cleaning solution by combining one part bleach to 10 parts water. 
3. Apply the bleach mixture to affected areas of the shower with a spray bottle.
4. Gently scrub the area with a scrubbing brush, old toothbrush, or other type of soft-bristled cleaning brush until the mold and mildew build-up has been removed. 
5. Rinse thoroughly and dry the surface with a clean microfiber cloth. 
   

How to Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth in Showers

To keep your shower mildew and mold-free, follow Amaro’s expert-approved tips.

• Keep It Dry: After every shower, use a towel or squeegee to quickly wipe down the walls, glass, and floor to get rid of excess water, advises Amaro. “Even just a minute or two of drying helps moisture from lingering,” shares Amaro.
• Prioritize Ventilation: Turn on the bathroom fan during and after you shower, or open a window if there is one. Good airflow is key to keeping this high-moisture area dry and mold-free. After you finish showering, leave the shower door or curtain open, so air can circulate and help everything dry out faster.
• Keep Up With Your Cleaning Routine: Give your shower a quick clean at least once a week. When cleaning, be sure to remove all products from the shower so you can reach all corners and crannies. This keeps soap scum and body oils from building up, a leading cause of mold and mildew. ”Don’t forget to put wet towels in the wash instead of leaving them on the floor or in a hamper, as they harbor high rates of mold growth,” adds Cohoon.
• Disinfect Often: When you tidy up your shower, it’s important to disinfect regularly as well. Use a disinfecting cleaner to help prevent mold and mildew from taking hold, making future deep cleans easier to tackle.

When to Call a Professional Mold Remediator

Steve Leasure of Rainbow Restoration, a damage and mold restoration services company, reminds that professionals have the right tools and expertise to safely remove the mold and prevent it from spreading. In fact, to be abundantly cautious, Leasure recommends calling an expert when visible mold appears of any kind.

Do not hesitate to call in a pro in any of the following situations.

• If mold covers more than 10 square feet, comes from contaminated water, or is found in HVAC systems
• If anyone in your home is experiencing unexplained allergies, respiratory problems, or other health issues that might be related to mold.
• If a strong, musty odor persists, even after cleaning.
• If you have major water damage, there could be mold growing behind your walls—this needs immediate treatment.
• If mold keeps returning, there might be a bigger issue behind the walls or under the floors of the bathroom.