Mould can be a persistent problem in bathrooms, especially during humid summer weather, but a simple daily task can help prevent it without harsh chemicals.
Two-minute task that pays off
Colm Lalor, a bathroom expert at Nuie, a UK-based bathroom brand, recommends using a squeegee on shower screens and damp tiles after each shower. This removes surface water before it evaporates back into the room, helping the area dry faster.
Lalor said: "Warm weather can give people a slightly false sense of security. The room feels hot, so you assume everything will dry quickly. On muggy days, that's not always the case." He added: "Humid air carries plenty of moisture, which means wet towels, shower screens and corners can stay damp for much longer than you might expect."
Affordable and effective
Squeegees are inexpensive and widely available. At Dunelm, they cost just 80p, and on Amazon they are priced at £3.49. Experts say the squeegee deserves its place as a household essential, performing "serious heavy lifting" when it comes to removing moisture and preventing mould growth.
Other bathroom tips
Properly hanging towels is also important. In warm conditions, damp towels can become unpleasant and begin to smell, creating perfect conditions for mould. Hang them up correctly rather than draping them in a pile, and allow bathmats to dry completely between uses. Shower curtains should be stretched out rather than bunched into a corner.
Opening a window helps as well. Once most of the steam has disappeared, leaving the bathroom door ajar can shift remaining humid air out. Where possible, opening another window elsewhere in the home can generate a cross-draught, providing moisture somewhere to escape rather than moving it into the hallway.
