📅 Updated the article “How to remove pink mold effectively” last October 6, 2022. At the Location of the cleaning company TKT Clean
Many different types of mold and bacteria can be present in your home or workplace. Most are harmless, but some can make us very sick. In the long run, most molds can cause breathing problems and worsen allergy symptoms. So it is important to remove them when they appear.
Our cleaning expert has seen it all and has some top tips for getting rid of different types of mold. In this post, they share their secret to identifying and dealing with pink mold. Find out what pink mold is, what causes it, and how to get rid of it now!
1. What is pink mold bacteria?
Pink mold is actually a very common bacteria in the air. It is found all over the world and prefers only dark, damp places. In most homes, pink mold appears as slime and it may not be pink at all. The color of pink mold comes from the temperature of the room and can vary from orange to bright red.
Image: Pink mold under the microscope
The bacteria that cause pink mold is called Serratia marcescens. It was first identified in Italy in 1819. Today, pink mold is a common phenomenon. Easily found in bathrooms and other humid places. It is also responsible for 1.4% of hospital-acquired infections. Pink mold bacteria feed on fats such as those found in soap and shampoo scum.
2. Is pink mold dangerous?
In humans, pink mold is more of a nuisance than a danger, although it can cause some infections. The most common sites of pink mold infection are in the urinary tract, respiratory tract, eyes, and open wounds. This can lead to UTIs, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, and tear duct infections.
For most people, pink mold is relatively harmless, but it’s still important to get rid of it as soon as you spot it. Even people who are healthy and have strong immune systems can develop pink mold allergy symptoms.
Image: Pink mold causes allergies in humans
Consists of:
Sneezing
Have a runny nose
stuffy nose
Itching or rash
Dry, scaly skin
Eye irritation
Dry cough
Asthma worsens
Long-term exposure to any mold or bacteria is harmful to your health and can put you at greater risk of serious side effects.
3. How to get rid of pink mold in the bathroom
If you spot pink mold in your bathroom, don’t panic. You can destroy it with simple household cleaning products. The best product to use is bleach. Bleach can kill the pink mold bacteria, while also treating any other stains that cause it.
Image: Remove pink mold in the bathroom
Step 1: Determine the penetration level of the pink mold
Step 2: Use protective clothing such as rubber gloves, masks, and glasses
Step 3: Mix a solution from 1.5 cups of bleach with 3.5l of water
Step 4: Use a sponge or spray bottle to spray the solution evenly on the surface
Step 5: Leave the solution on that surface for 30 minutes
Step 6: Use a scrub brush to remove the mold
Step 7: Rinse the surface with clean water and dry it with a microfiber cloth
This solution will work on most common surfaces, like bathtubs, faucets and bathroom tiles.
To prevent pink mold from returning, make sure you maintain good hygiene habits at all times. Regularly remove soap scum and consider spraying white vinegar on the affected area every month or two. Vinegar works to prevent pink mold and helps protect your home from repeat infestations.
4. How to get rid of pink mold in the shower
Pink mold is very common in showers. This is the easiest place to detect an outbreak in your home. To remove mold, follow the steps above to remove mold with bleach.
Image: Shower before and after removing pink mold
If you don’t have bleach or don’t want to use bleach, you can also treat pink mold with white vinegar.
Step 1: Mix a solution of 50/50 warm water and white vinegar
Step 2: Use a sponge to apply to the moldy location
Step 3: Wait for 30 minutes
Step 4: Use a brush to clean the pink mold
Step 5: Rinse the area with water
Step 6: Slightly spray white vinegar into the shower and let it dry
Plus, TKT Clean gives you some pro tips to prevent pink mold in your shower.
Dry the shower after use with a rubber broom, avoiding standing water
Wash your shower curtain regularly (4-6 weeks)
Turn on the ventilator in your bathroom until the excess humidity is gone
Leave your bathroom door open when the room is not in use to allow air to circulate
Repair any leaks or drips as soon as you notice them
5. How to deal with pink mold in the toilet
Your bathtub and shower aren’t the only places where pink mold can appear. The good news is that you can easily treat pink mold in your toilet bowl.
Image: Remove pink mold on the toilet
Step 1: Add ¼ cup of bleach to the toilet and let it sit for 30 minutes
Step 2: Add ¼ cup of bleach to the tank and let it sit for 30 minutes
Step 3: Use a brush to clean the visible pink mold
Step 4: Flush the toilet several times to remove the last traces of bacteria
Step 5: Clean and treat with bleach-based disinfectant wipes
Pro Tip: Bleach is not an effective cleaner for most types of mold. But it is effective in treating pink mold. That’s because pink mold is actually bacteria, not really mold!
6. How to deal with pink mold in the dishwasher?
Chances are if you spot pink mold in your dishwasher, it hasn’t been used for a while. First, check the filter to remove any food debris that the mold might eat. Then fill a dishwasher-safe cup with white vinegar and place it upright on the top rack. Run a normal cycle with hot water and let the vinegar do the cleaning for you!
Image: Remove pink mold in the dishwasher
7. How to deal with pink mold on food
Although pink mold prefers humid environments like bathrooms, you can find it living on foods like bread and dairy products. If you find pink mold on any food, throw it out. It is not safe to eat, even if you cut off the moldy part.
Photo: Pink mold on a slice of bread
Sometimes mold attaches to food somewhere during production or transportation. But if you regularly find pink mold on your food, look for the underlying cause. This could be a leak where you store your food or your refrigerator isn’t maintaining a low enough temperature. Finding and addressing the underlying cause will help you get rid of the mold problem.
8. Find a professional cleaning service
If you have applied all the above tips that we give. But the pink mold condition of your home and office has not improved. You should contact professional cleaning service providers. It can be office cleaning, building cleaning or basic house cleaning. With experience and practical knowledge in the hygiene industry. Surely these units will have appropriate and safe cleaning methods and chemicals to remove pink mold.
Do not hesitate, contact us – the leading cleaning unit in Ho Chi Minh City. We have a well-trained staff. Can help you deal with the most difficult hygiene problems in the most effective way.
Last updated Article “Latest bank cleaning checklist 2024” on December 22, 2023. At TKT Clean Green Cleaning Company Cleanliness is essential in the daily operations of a bank. Knowing how to keep your desk and… Read more: Latest bank cleaning checklist 2024
