Our showers are high maintenance. Between the limescale, the bacteria and the mould, we’re constantly scrubbing it out to prevent discoloured grout and cloudy shower screens. But there’s another stain you should be aware of: pink mould.
Pink mould grows along the hems of your shower curtain and makes it look as though it’s been dipped in Angel Delight. That sounds nicer than it looks, which is essentially a bacteria-based stain that slowly climbs up your curtain. But how can you put a stop to this pink predicament?
I spoke to four experts to find out how you can restore your shower curtain and stop pink mould from coming back.
What is pink mould?
‘The pink buildup you find on your shower curtain, and often in the corners of the shower tray, isn’t mould at all! It’s actually a perfectly harmless bacteria,’ says Michael Bogoyavlenskiy, CEO of Cleaning Express.
‘Its scientific name is Serratia marcescens and it feeds on body oils and dead skin as well as mineral deposits in the water. The pink residue left behind is basically waste matter – when produced by bacteria, we call it a “film”. It’s the same principle behind the biofilm you’ll find in pets’ water bowls.’
So, you’re not dealing with mould here, despite the name. That at least means it’s not spreading via spores and it’s generally not dangerous to breathe it in. Although people with weakened immune systems or respiratory issues could be at risk.
Michael B continues: ‘You’ll typically find pink residue in the folds and at the bottom of your shower curtain because this is where deposits build up due to water runoff. The water collects in folds and then drips off the bottom, leaving behind the stuff that the bacteria likes to feed on. In a very general way, it’s the same process that forms stalactites in caves.’
How to remove pink mould
Whether you’re hand-washing your shower curtain or running it through the washing machine, soaking it in an oxygen-based stain remover, such as Vanish, for 1-2 hours beforehand can help to kill the bacteria. Just be sure to use a colour-safe option for coloured curtains. You could alternatively soak in a solution of equal parts distilled white vinegar and water.
‘Always check the liner’s care label first,’ advises Sofia Martinez, cleaning expert and owner at Sparkly Maid Austin. ‘Vinyl and plastic liners generally tolerate different methods of cleaning compared to fabric ones. For liners that can be machine-washed, I’d remove the liner, place it in the washing machine with one or two light-coloured towels, then wash and hang to dry. The towels add some gentle agitation to help rub away the biofilm (which can be surprisingly slippery and stubborn) and will absorb any pinkish hue in the process.’
Use a biological detergent for the best stain removal and select as hot a wash as the care label allows, but don’t go any hotter or you risk damaging the liner. A delicate cycle with a low spin is best to prevent damage. If you’ve skipped the soak, you can swap out the detergent for 200ml of distilled white vinegar instead.
Sofia continues: ‘For a liner that can’t go into the machine, I’d remove and hand-wash it, applying a bit of mild detergent and warm water with a non-abrasive brush or a soft cloth. In either case, focus on the lower portion of the liner (biofilm loves to start from the hem), crevices, seams, folds and areas that sit near the rings. After cleaning, hang the liner to dry fully before returning it to the shower.’
Shower curtains and liners are bulky, so you might want to hand-wash them directly in the bathtub for convenience.
Sophia adds: ‘Avoid scrubbing with abrasive materials like harsh sponges, stiff/scratchy brushes, steel wool, etc. Scratches in vinyl/plastic trap more dirt, making it harder to keep the liner clean over time. They can also ruin waterproofing, coatings and graphics. Avoid excessively hot water or putting plastic/vinyl items into the dryer, too. Heat can shrink fabrics and warp plastics. It can also ruin graphics and coatings.’
Removing pink mould is straightforward once the item has been soaked in a disinfectant, such as oxygen-based bleach or vinegar and should only take a few seconds of scrubbing.
However, if the stain is proving difficult to fully remove, replacing the curtain might be for the best, so says Michael Rubino, founder of HomeCleanse: ‘The best way to deal with microbial growth on a shower curtain is to throw the material away, clean the shower and replace the curtain with a new one. Microbial growth can leave behind particles on and within the material, and mould can develop root-like structures called hyphae that extend into porous surfaces. Simply removing the visible growth does not necessarily mean everything associated with it has been removed.’
How to clean the bathroom afterwards
It’s important that you sanitise your bathroom after removing the pink mould to kill any bacteria that remains.
‘I’d apply a disinfectant that’s safe for the material of the liner,’ Sophia advises. ‘Follow the directions for dilution (if required), application, ventilation, PPE, dwell/contact time and whether or not it needs to be rinsed away afterward. In some cases, you could use chlorine bleach, but only if both the disinfectant label and the fabric label say that’s okay.’
Always wear protective gloves, eyewear and a mask when cleaning with bleach. And never combine with other cleaning chemicals, including vinegar. Mixing bleach and vinegar together creates a lethal chlorine gas.
How to stop pink mould from coming back
‘Cleaning the shower curtain thoroughly once a month is a good rule of thumb to follow,’ recommends Michael R. ‘That said, if the bathroom is used frequently or remains humid for long periods – the more often it’s cleaned, the better. This will help reduce the opportunity for microbial growth. The more moisture is present, the higher the chance for contamination to develop. Spraying the shower curtain with a botanical cleaner and wiping it down once a week between monthly washings is another option to help avoid any microbial growth.’
Keeping the bathroom dry and ventilated indirectly prevents pink mould because the moisture evaporates before bacteria can grow.
Sam Hickerson, founder of RestoreAdvisor.com, says: ‘For prevention, the key is keeping the curtain as dry as possible between uses. Spread it out fully after each shower instead of leaving it bunched up, run a bathroom fan or crack a window to cut down on humidity, and wipe down the curtain or liner weekly all help a lot.
‘As for replacement, fabric curtains should generally be washed every one to two weeks, and vinyl liners are usually worth replacing every six months to a year, sooner if the staining keeps coming back despite regular cleaning.’
And that’s all there is to it! Your shower curtain should no longer be ‘blushing’ with pink mould. Remember to wipe it out and dry it after each use to prevent future growth.
