When you open the lid of your toilet bowl, you may notice a black ring of mold around the edge. It can be an indicator of mold developing under the rim of your toilet. You might be wondering how safe it is to use the toilet while it is present. Mold on your toilet rim is not only an unsightly appearance, but it also has the potential to be a serious health hazard.
A common household concern, even for the most meticulous of folks, is mold growth on the rim of a toilet bowl. It is not necessary to have water damage in your home for this to happen. This is since there is always water in your toilet bowl, which makes it easy for mold to grow in. In addition, the toilet cover is often closed, preventing light from reaching the bowl.
Mold enjoys water, darker environments, and organic components. You and your family are responsible for providing the organic material. If you or a member of your family has diabetes, this is an intriguing point to consider.
The body of a diabetic has difficulty metabolizing glucose. So, even if the diabetes is under control, their urine will contain significantly more sugar than that of a healthy person. Mold loves the high glucose content of toilet water, which makes it an ideal food source.
Furthermore, toilets that are not used daily or that are not flushed as frequently as the rest of your home are more prone to developing a mold problem. Even if they are not used daily, they should be flushed regularly.
How to get rid of the mold in the toilet:
Mold found under the toilet’s rim is easy to clean. The toilet is made of porcelain, which is a non-porous material. Because the toilet bowl is non-porous, the mold can only exist on the top; it can’t grow roots into it. It is critical to take sufficient safety precautions before beginning any mold remediation job. Wear rubber gloves and an N-95 facemask if possible.
Flush the toilet first to ensure that you are cleaning it using fresh, clean water. Wipe the mold from under the rim with a mild bathroom cleaner, a toilet brush, and/or a towel. (When scrubbing your toilet, always use a soft cloth. If you use an abrasive material, the porcelain finish might be readily scratched. This would also include the cleaning products you use. (There will be no scouring powder!) Repeat the scrubbing process until no more mold is visible. Allow one cup of chlorine bleach to settle in the bowl for around 20 minutes. Scrub the toilet once more, and then flush it once more.
A word of caution: never try to clean inside the toilet tank with chlorine bleach. Bleach is caustic, and it could harm the piping components inside the tank. Use white vinegar instead of bleach to disinfect the toilet tank.
Steam is another way to get rid of mold under the rim of your toilet bowl. If you have one, a handheld steamer can be a very useful item. Begin by turning off the toilet’s water source. Remove as much water as possible by flushing the toilet. Use as much pressure as your steam cleaner will allow steaming the bowl and beneath the rim. When you are through, flush the toilet and, if necessary, repeat the steaming. When you are done, use a soft towel to wipe off the toilet surfaces.
How to keep the toilet rim mold-free?
The best method of prevention is to clean the toilet regularly. If you perform this every 7–10 days, the odds of mold growing in your toilets will be considerably reduced. Make efforts to reduce the humidity in your restrooms as well. This can be accomplished by checking for small leaks, utilizing an exhaust fan in the bathroom, or opening a window when the room is occupied.
Another thing you can do is give your bathroom the “Motel 6” treatment now and again by leaving the bathroom light on and the toilet lid up. Mold does not enjoy direct sunlight or bright light. Never try to “save” water by not flushing your toilets after you have used them. The “If it’s yellow” rhyme is nice, but you don’t want mold to get a foothold in your home.
If the mold in your toilet reappears after a day or two of cleaning it, it could be a sign of a broader mold problem. If this is the case, you should seek expert assistance.
Professional Help is Available
If you have concerns about a larger mold problem in your home, know that Bakken Mold Squad, 7012131140 / 7015002533, stands ready to help. We are experts when it comes to identifying and remediating mold problems. We always answer our phones 24 hours a day, meaning you will talk to a live person, not an answering machine. Know that we consider there to be no emergency too large or too small and our advice is always free. If you prefer, you can also contact us by email.