I felt sick at the grim mould that was in my shower – but a 65p Aldi bargain works as well to remove it as a £10 buy
MOULD can grow just about anywhere in your home, but it’s most common in places like your bathroom where the environment is often damp.
Because of this you might discover pesky mould in your shower on grout and silicone sealant.
One woman had this exact problem and couldn’t work out how to get rid of it for good without forking out a fortune.
She took to the popular Facebook group Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips to ask for advice, sharing snaps of the gross discovery in her bathroom.
”The shower looked like this when we moved in. It makes me feel so sick I’ve just shut the door and avoided it,” mum Danielle Lewis wrote in the post.
”I bath anyway so it barely gets used. But I really have to get a handle on it.
”How do I clean it? What do I use?”
According to the mother, she’d sprayed Mould & Mildew Blaster and had left it on for 24 hours – but seemingly, with no luck.
Desperate for any advice, she went on: ”Please help, it makes me feel so dirty just being in the same bathroom.”
Luckily for Danielle – and anyone else dealing with the same issue – the post was soon inundated with close to 300 comments, as fellow fans of Mrs Hinch raced to offer a helping hand.
But while many suggested using special cleaning products, there were also a few of those who swore by a more purse-friendly option – regular household bleach.
One wrote: ”I bleached mine… left over night then scrubbed with a brush!”
Someone else agreed, stating that ”bleach is best thing to use” when tackling mould.
A third chimed in, also raving about the affordable method: ”Bleach and tissue, soak kitchen roll in it and place all along the mold and leave over night!
”Or use the magic mold gel it’s amazing does the same job but costs more.”
Cleaning fans can snap up household bleach from most supermarkets, with Aldi offering the cleaning essential for a mere 65p – which is over 15x cheaper than Nayrmaer Mould Remover Gel on Amazon that will set you back £9.99.
Common Bathroom Habits That Increase Mould
Plumbworld, a leading expert in bathroom and kitchen products, has shared the daily habits that increase the chance of mould growing in homes.
Leaving wet towels and bathmats on floor
Wet towels and bathmats on the floors after a shower or bath can increase humidity levels which provides a perfect breeding ground for mould spores.
To prevent this, hang towels and bathmats in an area where they can dry quickly and to wash them regularly.
Not turning on the fan
An exhaust fan is critical in reducing moisture levels in the bathroom.
When taking a hot shower or bath, steam increases the room’s humidity level, creating an ideal setting for mould to flourish on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces.
An exhaust fan helps by moving the moist air outside, significantly reducing the risk of mould growth.
Experts suggest running the fan during the shower and for at least 20-30 minutes afterwards to lower humidity levels.
Ignoring small leaks
Even minor leaks from the sink, toilet, or shower can contribute to increased moisture levels in a bathroom, fostering an environment where mould can thrive.
Over time, these leaks can cause significant water damage, promoting mould growth in less visible areas such as inside walls or under flooring.
Fix leaks promptly to prevent mould and potential structural damage.
Keeping shower curtains or doors closed
Keeping the shower area closed after use traps moisture inside, delaying the drying process and creating a humid environment conducive to mould growth.
Mould can easily develop on shower curtains, doors, and in tile grout if they remain wet for too long.
To avoid this, leave the shower door or curtain open after use to improve air circulation and allow the area to dry more quickly.
Storing too many products
Shower caddies and corners filled with bottles and accessories may seem harmless, but they can obstruct airflow and trap moisture and creates hidden, moist niches where mould can grow unnoticed.
Keep shampoo and shower gel bottles to a minimum, and regularly clean and dry the areas underneath them to prevent mould growing.
‘Temporary fix’
However, one expert recently warned to steer clear of the popular hack – and revealed what to use instead.
Brett Knowles of BK Plumbing said: “This is only a temporary fix as it cleans the surface, but doesn’t kill the spores that cause mould.”
Steering clear of bleach is especially important if you’re trying to remove mould from silicone.
“It’s likely this will cause the sealant to peel away from the area you’re trying to clean,” he said.
“Eventually, this could lead to a leak through the area that’s peeling off. This will only cause further damage.”
While you could invest in a product designed to tackle this job, such as the Cillit Bang power cleaner black mould remover (750ml) priced at £4.75 at Sainsbury’s, there is a cheaper alternative.
“Vinegar is a natural method,” said Brett.
“It is effective at killing mould spores, as well as black mould. You will need two parts undiluted white vinegar and bicarbonate soda, and one part water.”
On Amazon, you can buy a five-litre bottle of white vinegar for around £6.
At Asda, you can pick up a 200g pack of bicarbonate of soda for 75p.