The Easy Shower Door Trick That Stops Mold Before It Starts

Mold is a potentially dangerous, yet common issue in homes. Not only can mold cause unsightly dark spots in your bathroom, but it can also exacerbate a variety of health conditions, such as allergies and asthma. Knowing how to identify mold in your home and get rid of it is an important first step to getting this problem under control, but preventive actions are also necessary so you don't have to deal with mold in the future. Needless to say, regular shower cleanings can go a long way in preventing mold growth. Improving ventilation in your shower can also help, and keeping the door open between uses is one surefire way to make the space less susceptible to mold growth.

Bathrooms — and especially showers — are among the most vulnerable to mold outbreaks. This is because mold tends to develop and thrive in areas that are wet, humid, and warm. Spots and musty smells are just some of the signs your shower has hidden mold, and you might notice these on your shower door. Since most showers are partially enclosed inside of a bathroom, they do not allow moisture and heat to escape easily on their own. Additionally, showers offer surprising food sources for mold, such as soap particles and dead skin cells that accumulate along their surface.

Whenever the shower is not being used, leaving the door open helps you air out the space. The improved circulation invites cooler, drier air into the shower to counteract the effects of moisture and humidity that mold needs to fluorish. Without moisture, mold cannot grow. Making this a habit may just help reduce the occurrence of mold growth in your shower. Not only is this important for your health, but it can make cleaning the bathroom much easier, too.

Opening a shower door when the space is unoccupied is a good first step for mold prevention, but it's important to implement other ways to improve air circulation as well. If your bathroom has an exhaust fan, run it every time you take a shower (including during the winter), as well as for several minutes afterward. Since turning the exhaust fan off is admittedly easy to forget, consider installing a timer switch that will automatically shut it off after a desired length of time. 

Another way to enhance air circulation is to crack open any available windows or exterior doors to your bathroom. Finally, keeping indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% may reduce the likelihood of mold from growing in places like your shower. Before purchasing a dehumidifier, learn which common mistakes to avoid when dehumidifying your home.