What Is Pink Mold in Your Home? Tips to Deal with Serratia Marcescens

A pinkish-slimy substance that occasionally appears in the damp areas of people’s homes is a source of concern for many. The most common places they find it are in pet water dishes, tile floors, shower and bathtub enclosure surfaces, and toilet bowls.

What do they consist of? Why is there pink mold in your house? How should I handle it? For the answers, continue reading. We will explain what “pink mold” is and how to stay away from it.

It’s not mold that is growing in your home - it’s bacteria. Serratia marcescens bacteria are usually the cause of this pink discoloration. The pigment known as prodigiosin, which they produce, causes stains on your shower walls, faucets, and bathroom curtains. It can appear in pink, orange, and red hues.

Even though this bacterium is common and usually doesn’t pose the same health risks as black mold , you should still take precautions to stop its growth in your bathroom. As long as it doesn’t enter the body, contact with Serratia marcescens during washing or cleaning is generally safe for healthy people (be careful not to touch the eyes or open cuts with contaminated hands).

However, Serratia marcescens may cause problems and infections if you have pets or if you or anyone else in your home has a weakened immune system. It is imperative to address bathroom bacteria as soon as you notice their accumulation because of this risk.

The bacteria Serratia marcescens, which has red or pink pigmentation, is the most frequent cause of this pink slime. Dust, soil, surface waters, and the excrement of humans and other animals are just a few of the locations where Serratia bacteria are common in our surroundings.

Any moist area where materials containing phosphorous or fatty substances accumulate will see the growth of the bacteria. Soap residues in bathrooms, human waste in toilets, and food and soap residues in pet water bowls are some of the sources of these substances.

Click to get more information about How to Remove Soap Scum from Any Surface.

After renovations or new construction, the pinkish film frequently surfaces. Some have mentioned that the pink mold happens during a season when they spend most of the day with their windows open.

Pink mold in the shower may not be harmful to most healthy people when it comes into short contact, but if it gets into the eyes or cuts, it can cause issues like bladder and urinary infections , especially in those with weakened immune systems. Cleaning this biofilm as soon as possible is advisable to be safe and stop bacterial growth.

The pigment of shower bacteria causes pink mold, which has a distinct pink-to-reddish hue that makes it easy to remove. You may effectively remove pink mold from a variety of surfaces, such as the shower, walls, floors, and curtains, and keep it from coming back by using common cleaning supplies and adhering to the instructions provided.

Maintaining a dry shower is a challenging task. Try turning on your bathroom fan while you take a shower if you have one to prevent too much humidity from building up. After using the shower, try to dry the damp areas with a towel or squeegee. You can also use your washer to quickly remove Serratia marcescens from your shower curtain. To prevent any unintentional damage, make sure to first check the label on the curtain.

Here are some tips to prevent pink mold from returning to your bathroom after you have already removed it:

Make sure your bathroom stays as dry as possible first and foremost. Using an exhaust fan both during and after a shower will help achieve this. If you have a fan, turn it on before you take a shower and leave it running for at least twenty minutes afterward.

Second, after every use, develop the habit of cleaning the shower’s walls and any curtains. By doing this, you’ll be able to get rid of excess moisture and humidity, which serve as bacteria’s breeding grounds.

Additionally, think about utilizing antimicrobial bathmats and shower curtain liners. Because of their unique design, these products are resistant to the stains and smells that bacteria can produce over time.

Finally, you must keep up a consistent cleaning schedule for your bathroom. Maintaining a clean bathroom will help keep mold from growing back and guarantee that the area is still healthy.

Spotting pink mold in your home should be a prompt red flag to take action. Exposure to the bacterium Serratia marcescens poses risks to household members, with children and seniors being particularly vulnerable. To safeguard your family’s health for the future, it’s crucial to address this concern without delay.