How to Clean Black Mold in the Toilet

It’s you’ve ever used a toilet that’s not been properly cleaned, then you likely have encountered toilet mold. Sometimes it isn’t that big of a deal, but other times it could look like a multicolored nightmare. Toilet mold is gross, but it is more common than you think. No matter how long it has been sitting there, it is really easy to remove and prevent.

How to Clean Black Mold in the Toilet

What is Toilet Mold?

Toilet mold, like any other mold, is a fungus that grows well in damp environments with poor airflow. There isn’t an explicit type of mold that grows in your toilet as there are so many different types and colors.

Is It Only One Color?

The most common color that you might see in toilet mold is black. It may not be black, but more of a dark grey or greenish color. The other common type is orange or pink, which tends to have a slime-like texture or appearance. This mold typically grows around the waterline.

What Causes it?

Many factors lead to toilet mold growing, but the most common is higher humidity and standing water. Because there is minimal airflow in bathrooms coupled with standing water, mold spores can easily settle and grow with little interruption. This is an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow.

Toilet Mold In the Bowl

The toilet bowl is essentially an all-you-can-eat buffet of bacteria and other nutrients that mold and mildew thrive on. Everything from the organic materials that are found in your bodily waste, to the minerals in hard water from flushing contribute to its growth and survival. If someone happens to be diabetic, this is great news for toilet mold. Sugar is one of mold’s favorite food sources. Because diabetic people cannot process sugar effectively, it is more or less excreted from their system through urine. This can lead to an uncontrollable growth of mold both in the toilet bowl and in the pipes and tank.

While your waste might contribute to mold growth, it isn’t the only thing that causes this unsightly stuff. There could be spores growing in the water supply, so any time you flush, you could end up replenishing the bowl with spores. Rusty pipes and cracks in the bowl can be problem areas that give mold more places to hide and multiply.

Toilet Mold In the Tank

If you have mold growing in your tank, the best bet is that this is a toilet that you don’t use often. Due to the standing water, warm temperature, and poor ventilation, this is like Spring Break for mold. They end up going wild and breeding when left unchecked.

If there is mold growth on the underside of the tank, then you likely have a leak. Not to worry, it isn’t anything too complicated. You simply need to replace a washer to prevent the water from dripping out.

There Is a Ring, But Is It Mold?

Depending on the color of the ring, it might not be mold. Black, grey, green, and orange are signs of mold. If it happens to be a reddish or brown color, then don’t worry too much. This is probably just stains from mineral deposits like calcium and magnesium. It isn’t too big of a deal, but if it doesn’t come off with scrubbing, then it is a permanent deposit that can only be removed if you replace your toilet.

Is Mold Dangerous?

This is a complicated question. Yes and no. If it comes up from time to time, then it’s not that big of a deal. You just have to clean it off and maybe use a toilet bowl cleaner more frequently.

If it comes back within a day or two, then there is a problem. There are likely other mold deposits elsewhere in your home that need to be addressed properly.

Toilet mold is relatively harmless if it grows a little bit at a time. But if left unchecked, it can cause some adverse health effects like sinus and respiratory issues.

How to Remove Toilet Mold

Thankfully, toilets are made out of smooth porcelain that helps prevent mold from sticking to them and growing. That being said, you should use a regular toilet brush and toilet bowl cleaner. If you use anything too abrasive like steel wool, you will end up scratching and damaging the surface. This will give the mold more room to grow and make it harder to remove. You should absolutely never use bleach! Bleach may kill it, but when it comes back, it will be stronger than before.

Because mold is a potential health hazard, you should be properly prepared when you are cleaning or removing it. It is highly recommended that you wear a face mask that covers your mouth and nose, eye protection, as well as gloves to keep it off and out of your body.

Cleaning the Toilet Bowl

One of the best and most effective ways to get rid of toilet mold is to dry out the bowl. You can do this by turning off the water flow from the valve that is typically located behind the toilet. After shutting it off completely, flush away the remaining water from the bowl. When there is no water left in the bottom, attack it toilet bowl cleaner and a scrubber to get as many spores and growth spots. When you are satisfied, turn the water supply and return to regular usage.

Another highly effective method is to steam clean it. If you have a handheld steam cleaner at home and a spray bottle, you can fill it with vinegar- it is super easy. First, start by spraying any suspect area with vinegar and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Using an angled nozzle attachment for the steam cleaner, go over every surface that you previously sprayed. Be sure to wipe off all the surfaces that you steam cleaned because moisture is a mold’s best friend. You can even do this to the inside of the bowl when you drain it.

If you happen to have an EC3 laundry additive, guess what? It is amazing for removing toilet mold. This stuff is already made to remove mold and mildew from laundry and laundry machines. Why shouldn’t it be able to handle your toilet as well?

Start by pouring half a cup of EC3 around the inside of the bowl and spraying a little bit under the rim. Close the lid and leave it alone for an hour before scrubbing it with a toilet scrubber. Be sure to agitate the water inside and use it to help scrub and get into the trouble areas. When you’re done, close the lid and let it stand for a few minutes again before flushing. This should take care of it, but if you have stubborn mold, then repeat this as needed. Note that you probably shouldn’t use the toilet for a few hours after you complete this.

If you want to get a satisfying and easy clean using household staples, then break out the vinegar and baking soda. Pour a cup of vinegar into the water, then follow with a sprinkle of baking soda around the inside of the bowl before pouring some into the vinegar/water mix. Let the fizz rise and do all the work for you over the next hour or so. When it settles, you should be able to easily remove the mold using a toilet scrubber. Be sure to scrub all the way up and under the rim to get to hard-to-reach mold as well. When you are finished, be sure to flush it all down!

Cleaning the Tank

Mold in the toilet bowl can be relatively easy to remove, but because the tank has even less airflow and ventilation, it can be home to more aggressive and harder to remove mold. You can start with adding good old vinegar to the tank and letting it sit for up to two hours and flush.

If you happen to see mold, then you have to turn off the water supply and then use a scrub brush to work on some of the more resistant mold spots and spores. Turn on the water supply again and add another cup of vinegar into the water. After an hour, flush the toilet, and voila! No more mold.

After-Care

As an additional preventative measure, it is recommended that you wipe the whole toilet down with either EC3 or vinegar just to make sure that there won’t be any more mold growing.

More Power

If you want to get down and dirty with toilet mold without actually getting down and dirty, then we have a heck of a gadget for you. The Homitt Electric Spin Scrubber scrubs harder, so you don’t have to!

Stop Mold From Growing In the Toilet

Since mold thrives in damp environments that have poor ventilation, then one of the best ways to prevent it is to ventilate and get air flowing. When you finish showering, open a window or leave the fan on for about thirty minutes to slow the growth. You could also invest in a dehumidifier if that is a better option for you.

Be sure to avoid letting water sit still in the bowl undisturbed for prolonged periods. After every use, make sure to flush away all the nutrients that mold loves to consume and are pertinent to its growth. You should also be sure to regularly clean the inside of the bowl with some kind of non-bleach product. If you have leaks, get them fixed sooner than later so it doesn’t become a gross and unhealthy problem in the future.

If your bathroom is due for remodeling, it is recommended to do some research into paint that can prevent mold growth. These paints are specially made to withstand high humidity levels.

Safety Measures For Cleaning Mold

Respirator

While it isn’t mandatory and may seem like overkill, a respiratory isn’t a terrible idea. The last thing you want is to breathe in mold spores that will agitate your sinuses or your respiratory system.

Gloves

Gloves are always a good idea when working with chemicals. Slap on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your skin from potentially harmful chemicals.

Safety Glasses

Safety glasses will keep chemical splashes out of your eyes as well as spores. Once again, it may seem over the top, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Ventilation

Mold and fumes can be harmful to your health so be mindful of that. If there are windows or fans, use them to promote good airflow.

Clothes

When you are performing a deep clean with chemicals and when mold or mildew are involved, it is obvious not to wear a suit and a tie. Wear less-important clothes that cover your body where it won’t be a big deal if they get ruined. Be sure to throw them out or wash them immediately after use.

Warning

Mold in small amounts isn’t a big deal but if there are large quantities, it could present a real health issue. Exposure to high levels of mold can cause or exacerbate respiratory and sinus issues, irritate your eyes and skin, as well as give you a sore throat or cough. If you have asthma, use extreme caution as it can trigger an asthma attack.

Toilet mold isn’t that big of a deal. Not only is it common, but it is very easy to get rid of. Be sure to remove old as soon as you spot it. It might not seem like a big deal at first, but given the adverse effects that it can have on people, it is best to take preventative measures. Whether you opt to use the heavy-duty cleaning supplies, or the regular toilet bowl cleaner and scrubber, it will leave your bathroom cleaner and keep you healthier.

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