Do you have “pink mold” in your bathroom? The cleaning expert issues key health warnings and the 65p tip to get rid of them

A cleaning expert has issued a dire warning about the pink mold in your bathroom – and claims it’s not mould.

Showers and bathtubs are among the most difficult places to keep clean, especially considering how humid they are on a daily basis.

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But no matter how focused you are on keeping your bathroom spotlessly clean, professional cleaning requires one thing in particular.

Cleanfluencer Kacie Stephens posted a video on Instagram explaining that there is a nasty type of mold that can easily lead to infections – and that you can easily spot it because it’s pink.

The reason it is so dangerous is because it is not actually mold, despite what many of us may assume.

Kacie, from Melbourne, Australia, explained in the caption: “Pink mold isn’t actually mold, it’s bacteria.

“A buildup of it in your shower can cause infections, so make sure you wash it off regularly.”

In the clip, the Australian could be seen scrubbing away the pink slime in the shower.

“FACTS,” she said, adding, “That pink mold? It’s not mold at all. It’s a bacteria called Serratia Marcescens.”

According to a 2013 article published in the National Library of Medicine, Serratia Marcescens is an “opportunistic, gram-negative, nosocomial pathogen” that belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae.

It was first discovered in 1819 by the Italian pharmacist Bartolomeo Bizio, when he identified it as the “cause of the bloody discoloration on cornmeal porridge.”

Many social media users were stunned to find out what the pink substance actually was, suspecting the discoloration was due to something else.

“I always thought it was soap scum,” one person said.

Another added: “I always thought it must be makeup buildup maybe!!!!”

Someone else remarked: “Eww, is that the pink crap that collects around sink drains?”

A fourth user wrote: “Thank you for sharing this information! I noticed this pink liquid in my dehumidifier, which completely confused me because it wasn’t coming from a water source.

“It was in the air. Still, I didn’t feel comfortable with it and tried rinsing my dehumidifier frequently after emptying it.”

Another user shared how to deal with it: “Serratia is an incredibly resilient bacteria and can grow in almost any moist environment.”

“It’s hard to get rid of completely, but a 10 percent bleach solution and as dry a shower as possible between uses will help.”

To make a 10 percent bleach solution, you can mix one part bleach with nine parts water. For example, you can mix 1/4 cup of bleach with two 1/4 cups of water.

Cleaning fans can buy bleach in most supermarkets, including Aldi, where it sells for just 65p.

Common bathroom habits that promote mold

Plumbworld, a leading bathroom and kitchen products expert, has shared the daily habits that increase the risk of mold growth in homes.

Leave wet towels and bathmats on the floor

Wet towels and bath mats on the floor after showering or bathing can increase humidity and provide a perfect breeding ground for mold spores.

To prevent this, hang towels and bathmats in a place where they can dry quickly and wash them regularly.

The fan does not turn on

An exhaust fan is crucial for reducing moisture levels in the bathroom.

When you take a hot shower or bath, the steam increases the humidity in the room, creating an ideal breeding ground for mold to thrive on walls, ceilings and other surfaces.

An exhaust fan helps to transport the moist air outside and thus significantly reduce the risk of mold formation.

Experts recommend running the fan during your shower and for at least 20 to 30 minutes afterward to reduce humidity.

Ignore small leaks

Even minor leaks in the sink, toilet, or shower can lead to increased moisture levels in the bathroom, creating an environment in which mold can thrive.

Over time, these leaks can cause significant water damage and encourage mold growth in less visible areas such as interior walls or under the floor.

Fix leaks promptly to prevent mold and possible structural damage.

Keep shower curtains or doors closed

Keeping the shower area closed after use traps moisture inside, delaying the drying process and creating a humid environment that encourages mold growth.

Mold can easily form on shower curtains, doors and in tile joints if they remain wet for too long.

To avoid this, leave the shower door or shower curtain open after use to improve air circulation and allow the area to dry faster.

Storing too many products

Shower cradles and corners filled with bottles and supplies may seem harmless, but they can restrict air circulation and trap moisture, creating hidden, damp pockets where mold can grow unnoticed.

Keep the amount of shampoo and shower gel bottles to a minimum and clean and dry the areas underneath regularly to prevent mold growth.