One Very Gross Thing That Can Happen if You Don’t Clean Your Bathroom

 Cleaning the bathroom is not a fun chore. In fact, it’s universally disliked. But it’s also one of the important tasks when it comes to keeping the home clean and free of disease and vermin. After all, it’s no secret that pests flock to dirt and mold, and your bathroom may be infested with mold mites without you realizing it.

What happens if you never clean your bathroom

Toilets are the nesting ground for all kinds of germs, bacteria, and microbes that can cause illness, from viruses to fungal infections. But that’s not all. Bathrooms are extremely prone to mold because of the moisture coming from the drains and shower steam. Regular cleaning can eliminate potential mold, and thereby prevent a horde of unpleasant effects, including contaminated air, foul odors, and mold mites.

What are mold mites?

“Mold mites are a general term for many species that have the ability to feed on fungi and grow large populations in a very short period,” says Ronald Ochoa, Ph.D., a research scientist for the USDA ,to Family Handyman.

These minute bugs consume all kinds of decaying materials, which is why they can adapt to many environments. These can include damp holes in a tree, wet cardboard in a garage, grout in a bathroom, or any other locations that need cleaning. Other attractive foods include bacteria, algae, manure, fungi, and animal carcasses.

“The mold mite is one of the most amazing species of mites on the planet,” Ochoa says. “NASA scientists have even collected mold mites from the Russian space station Mir, showing just how resilient and adaptive to the most hostile environments these mites truly are.”

What do they look like?

Mold mites are difficult to see with the naked eye because they are tiny — about a millimeter long — and nearly transparent. But don’t confuse them with dust mites. “One of the simplest ways to tell the difference is that mold mites have around six long setae (hairs) while dust mites have only a couple of long hairs on their bodies,” Ochoa says.

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Signs of mold mite infestation

Mold mites only live for nine to thirty days but they breed rapidly. Signs of infestation include:

• White or brown frosting on moldy surfaces
• Gray or brown “dust” near food products
• Large clusters of white dots that seem to move across different surfaces

Are they dangerous?

Not necessarily. At least not to humans. However, farm animals can get sick after eating infested feed. In general, animals and people should avoid them since they can trigger asthma or sinus issues. They may not bite or carry diseases but they indicate the presence of mold. Mold, on the other hand, can harm property as well as cause health problems.

How to get rid of mold and mold mites

The solution to mold mites is simple: get rid of their food source. In this case, cleanliness is the best defense, since insecticide may only help short-term.

“It can be challenging to rid your home of the creatures,” says Zach Schumm, insect diagnostician and director of the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, to Real Simple. “Primarily, you must eliminate molds, humidity, and moisture that are providing resources and creating favorable living conditions for the mites.” 

So in order to completely get rid of them, you’ll need to eliminate mold from all of the nooks and crannies around them. You may need a professional to clean or evaluate the situation depending on the severity of the problem.

How often should you clean your bathroom

“I recommend doing a quick bathroom clean every week, with a deep clean every month or so,” says Carolina Kazimierski, the co-owner and president of Sophia’s Cleaning Service, to the Spruce.

A weekly “quick” clean should generally include the floors, counters, sinks, and toilets. Clean the showers, bathtub, and mirrors every other week. The monthly deep clean should include tasks like scrubbing shower grout and washing out drains. Use this time to inspect for mold and water damage. If you are facing a mold issue or recovering from one, “deep clean” more frequently until it’s resolved.

Bathroom cleaning tips

As you reinvigorate your bathroom cleaning routine, here are some important notes to keep in mind.

• Don’t mix chemicals
• Wash the mirror starting from the top
• Use different cloths for each surface
• Wash and dry toilet brushes after every cleaning
• Clean inside the drain to prevent buildup and mold
• Wash bath mats frequently
• Make sure to clean the toilet handle, faucets, and light switches
• Dry surfaces in the bath and shower after use to prevent mildew
• Clean out the dust and lint from the exhaust fan
• Declutter to make cleaning easier