Last Updated on November 26, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford
In other circumstances, pink would have been a happy color but not if you saw your bathroom tiles or shower with pink mold.
While experts say that pink mold should not be a cause of panic, one cannot help but wonder why they made it inside your bathroom in the first place.
For this post, we will cover the most essential information that you should know about the pink mold in the shower. If by chance you have one now, you should check out some tips that you might try later so read on.
What is a pink mold?
Unlike the more famous green and black mold, you should know that pink mold is not molded at all.
The pink discoloration that you see in bathroom tiles or the shower comes from a biofilm brought about by a bacteria colony called Serratia marcescens. This bacteria is airborne and it thrives in moist and humid areas like the shower or the bathroom in general.
It feeds on the minerals and fats deposited in soaps, shampoo, and shampoo residues. Now, it is not something to panic about. However, people with open wounds and those who do not close their eyes when they rinse off shampoo might be vulnerable to the bacteria colony in the pink biofilm. Hence, it is still recommended to exterminate the pink mold in the shower.
How pink mold forms
Since the bacteria that form the pink mold could travel through the air, it only takes a matter of time before it could niche on the damp areas of your home feeding on fats, minerals (specifically phosphorus) found in soap and shampoo scum.
There is really no specific chronology as to how pink mold forms. What is only established is that the bacteria multiply fast when it has a steady food source.
You also have to understand that there are two other types of pink mold. One also loves moist and humidity but they are more found in organic materials like houseplants and window sills. This pink mold is called Aureobasidium pullulans.
How long does it take for pink mold to grow?
There is no definite timetable for this so the answer rests on how much minerals and fat residues they could get in the materials in the bathroom. Pink mold can multiply in a few days but they look light pink at first. In just a week, the mold will turn into salmon pink. If no intervention happens, they become orange and will become rusty tan.
All in all, it takes a few days to a few weeks for a pink mold to grow. This is the reason why you have to take care of it and see it exterminated as soon as you see discoloration in showerheads, bathroom tiles, and the tub.
Is pink mold dangerous? And how does it affect your health?
As have been said, pink mold may not be as dangerous as black mold but they could still pose certain health issues. Entering through the eyes or open wounds, pink mold could cause certain health complications. The elderly and those with compromised immune systems are more susceptible to the effects of pink mold.
The following illnesses could be contracted due to constant exposure to pink mold:
- Urinary tract and bladder infections
- Blood poisoning or septicemia
- Pneumonia
- Breathing difficulties
- Endocarditis
- Meningitis
- Bone infection
- Further infection of sores and open wounds
Does vinegar kill pink mold?
Yes, specifically white vinegar. This is one of the most dependable home remedies for all types of mold. Before spraying white vinegar in the infected area, do a patch test first. Through this, you will not cause discoloration to the tiles.
For this to become effective, you have to spray a light coating of white vinegar on the molded surface. Do not rinse it. Just leave it there until the vinegar dries on the surface. To permanently prevent regrowth, you have to do this procedure once a month. Using vinegar and warm water to rinse off the bathroom when you clean it will also help.
How to get rid of pink mold in shower
Many home remedies can be used to get rid of pink mold in the shower. Truth be told, it does not take much to take them off from any surface. If you are looking for a comprehensive set of steps to use, you may consider the following.
Scrub the mold down
Before doing this, make sure that you are properly protected. Use protective glasses and gloves during the scrubbing.
Prepare a cup of dishwashing liquid and combine it with a half-cup of baking soda. Add an ample amount of water until the mixture becomes gooey. Using this solution, scrub on the surface with the pink mold. Rinse thoroughly. You may also use bleach or vinegar in warm water instead of the dishwashing solution.
Drying the shower every after use
A few minutes in the bathroom would not hurt if it means keeping the pink mold away. To prevent regrowth, you should use a dry towel to dry the showerhead. Turning on the exhaust for 20 minutes after your shower will also help.
Buy washable shower curtains
Good shower sanitation is a commendable step and shower curtains are not exempted. Running the shower curtain in a warm cycle once a month will also help in preventing pink mold regrowth.
Clean up the soap and shampoo
Cleaning up means that you have to pour water on to them to rinse off mineral residues and dry them before leaving the shower. Putting them in a container with drain holes can also help.
Repair shower leaks
Looking out for shower and faucet leaks are a very important steps since they improve moisture and encourage pink mold growth. Perhaps, this is even one of the reasons why you have pink mold in the shower in the first place.
Remove pink mold from other surfaces
Pink mold does not only niche in bathrooms because anywhere damp, humid, and moist will do. As such, you can find pink mold in laundry areas, cabinets, and even rugs. The good news is that removing pink mold from other surfaces follows the same remedies that we have previously mentioned in one of the sections here.
You will need to scrub off the mold from the surface using a detergent and baking soda solution, bleach, vinegar, or warm washing. Drying off these surfaces will also help in removing pink mold and in preventing regrowth.
Conclusion
Pink mold may not be dubbed as dangerous at first but they sure can be a cause of worry if it causes illnesses and health complications.
To prevent this from ever happening, you have to make sure that you know the ways to eliminate pink mold in the shower or in the bathroom.
The preventive steps mentioned here will not take too much time. Just some basic tips that you can easily remember. You also have to understand that pink mold does not only buildup in bathrooms. They could be anywhere moist and humid. So all in all, proper home sanitation should be properly observed.