UPDATED~I'm being attacked by mold!Well my wall is, lol.

**Darlene** · 07-19-2005, 09:15 AM

It's been the worst summer humidity wise here and for the first time ever I have a mold problem on one wall in my bathroom next to the toilet. We do have an exhaust fan we use and there is a window in the very small room. Doesn't help that the toilet is in a little alcove with wall on 3 sides. I used bleach and it came back 2 days later. Any suggestions? Thanks

**SewCrafty** · 07-19-2005, 11:36 AM

I just found this Darlene. Cheap and worth a try.

*********************

Printed from www.care2.com

Banish Mold from Bathroom Grout - Formula
By Annie B. Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers Press, 1999).

Simple Solution

There has been a lot in the news recently about the respiratory health problems associated with mold. Since our bathrooms are often the dampest rooms in the house, they become a breeding ground for dangerous molds and mildew--and grouting between tiles is often the first place it starts.

Now you can zap that bathroom mold and mildew, safely and n/aturally. You only need one ingredient to do the job, and you probably have a bottle of it in your bathroom cabinet. It’s inexpensive, odorless, and it keep your grout looking beautifully bright! Find out the secret, and other great mold-banishing tips, right here:

Hydrogen peroxide is the way to go.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup 3-percent hydrogen peroxide solution (from your local pharmacy)
1 cup water

1. Combine water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray this on the moldy areas and do not rinse.

2. Hydrogen peroxide will lose its mold-busting power if exposed to air, so only make as much solution as you will be using at one time.

To reduce mold in your bathroom, you can also try these 3 easy steps:

1. Install an exhaust fan to remove mildew and mold-causing humidity from your bathroom. Be sure the fan has enough air movement to remove the moisture, and be sure to exhaust the fan all the way up through the roof or out the wall to the outside.

2. Mold dislikes light, so consider leaving a light on in areas that are prone to mold.

3. Change bathroom towels and rugs frequently to avoid moisture build-up.

Shop for Supplies
Better Basics for the Home
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0609803255/"]Amazon.com: Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living (9780609803257): Annie Berthold-Bond: Books[/ame]
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Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

**Darlene** · 07-19-2005, 11:40 AM

Thanks Dee!

**pkellyc** · 07-19-2005, 12:32 PM

I get mold on my bathroom celing. Tilex mold and mildew keeps it off longer than anything else I have ever used. It does smell awful though. We have a window but not a fan and the central air conditoning isnt enough to keep it off.

Dee I am going to try the hydrogen peroxide soultion it sounds good, no gagging involved.

**canadian gardener** · 07-19-2005, 01:04 PM

Bleach. Mild solution made up in an ice cream bucket, use rubber gloves, apply with a well wrung out rag (no bleach drips up the arms or it will ruin clothes)

whatever you do DON'T DON"T DON"T ever put bleach in a spray bottle and spray it or even "dribble" it on. Bleach destroys lung tissue.

edited to add here is the link to the clorox bleach site to figure out the porportions:
http://www.clorox.com/solutions_reg_bleach.html

**Kimberlina** · 07-19-2005, 01:45 PM

I think a salt-water wash will work too. I don't remember where I read that/how I know it, but I do. I think it is a band-air solution, though, like anything you put o the walls- it will work temporarily, and maybe by then, it won't be so darn humid out!

(The past two nights, my pillowcase feels like I just pulled it out of the washer- yuck!)

**canadian gardener** · 07-19-2005, 05:30 PM

tea tree oil will work on mildew (I've used it successfully) so maybe that would help a bit. Maybe a salt and tea tree oil paste?

**PrairieRose** · 07-20-2005, 10:47 AM

Darlene, do you have that bathroom painted in mold resistant paint? That helps as well. You have to rid it of mold to paint it if not.... . Kilz makes a good bathroom paint for that purpose.

**SewCrafty** · 07-20-2005, 12:48 PM

I forgot about that Lisa! Dar, I used that mold resistant type paint on the wooden window sills all around the house about 5 or so years ago. Haven't had it come back on one of them yet!

**thrifty gal** · 07-20-2005, 11:49 PM

I use Tilex, and I've also used vinegar.

**Darlene** · 07-23-2005, 10:44 AM

Well we found out why the mold is there.

There is a leak in the tub plumbing (wall between it & the toilet) and it's dripping at a good clip into the basement. I'm hoping this will be a quick fix and he's able to get at it without sawing a piece out of the wall, but if he has to, he has to. First plumber was coming from too far away (2 hrs away & don't know why he's listed in our phone book wanted $265 for the first hour + parts didn't ask what another hour would cost

) made about 8 other calls & one called me back so far this am. and is coming at noon. $40 service call and $75 an hour + parts. Man do they make the bucks or what? Please hope for a quick fix for me.

**Mom23boys** · 07-23-2005, 11:14 AM

I am glad you found out what was causing the mold Darlene and that it can be fixed. I hope the plumber works quickly.

Hopefully now all your mold will be gone.

**Kimberlina** · 07-23-2005, 11:41 AM

Hey, Darlene, my plumber is great and cheaper ($65 an hour.) I will PM you his contact info and you can do with it what you will. (Since you already have one coming, you may not be interested, but it might be good for future reference.) He lives right in the village. (This is the guy whose home/equipment/vehicles burned down in the village over the winter, so actually I don't know where he lives now, but it is still local.)

ETA there has been no "service call" charge for either of the times they have been out here, either.

**Kimberlina** · 07-23-2005, 01:53 PM

Well, did he get it fixed for you?

**Darlene** · 07-23-2005, 02:49 PM

No. First guy came and for $83 told me what was wrong and then told me he could fix it next week. Called the son of a guy we used to use but I thought his Dad retired & moved. Well he's still around & came over!

He moves a little slower since we saw him last but is fair, nice & knowledgable about lots of different repairs.(he remodeled our porch & put in our septic)
He couldn't fix it today but put a bi-pass valve in so we can turn water off to just the shower when not in use. He's coming sometime this next week to fix it. Yes there is going to be a big hole in my wall so they can get at it. This means my bathroom gets painted again soon.

My kids are going to have to take mega quick showers until it's fixed. I'm gonna wash my hair in the kitchen sink.

Thanks for the recomendation Kimberly

, I'm writing the name down for future plumbing fixes I hope not to have to make.