MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
Hey there, wondering if anyone would have a good idea here regarding the shower. We have a tub, and have done the shower curtain thing, and now have shower doors (2 doors in a frame that slide to close and let you in).
We found shower curtains terrible in they always got moldy where they touched, even when "closed" some parts tend to touch. We really didn't care well for it, trying to dry it and all that. So maybe if we tried harder ... but, drying shower curtains sounds a lot harder than drying shower doors. For the shower doors, we have a squeegee and then a dry cloth. But curtains are so flexible, that seems a challenge.
Anyone have curtains and live in a humid climate and make this work well? If so, a nice special curtain to tell me about? A clever way to keep it dry and non-moldy to tell me about?
With the shower doors, first few years, didn't work too hard to dry everything. We do now, but we see even where the sealant seals the frames to the top of the tub, mold has gotten under that sealant, really can't get that mold out without taking the frames out. Fine, we can have that done, clean it well or replace with a newer model that may be better, but question is ... will it be any better?
If we get similar type, sliding doors, and care for it better, really try to dry with squeegee and dry cloth all around after every shower, will that be good enough? Would love that to be true, but not sure. Kind of enjoy the shower doors, as compared to yucky funny smelling plastic curtains, but just wondering if it has a chance of staying not moldy.
The shower door frame also has this 2-3 inch piece in the middle, needed to keep the doors in place. But it seems a nice place for mold to get under that piece, and even under the doors. Took our doors out to look and that had happened big time. Knew it was a problem just because you cannot really dry that piece, the doors are in the way. We can take it out every month perhaps to clean it, if that will be good enough. Salesman says newer models are "self-cleaning", the seal is much closer I can see that myself, he says that the fit is so tight that water and mold can't get in. That part sounds just very hard to believe (mold and water can get pretty small).
I know there are shower doors that don't have frames for the doors to slide through. Just one fixed piece, and another piece that opens on a hinge. This eliminates a lot of the places for water to hide (no frame to hide in, no middle piece to hide in). We are considering, but believe our bathroom is simply too small for this type of door.
Again, we live in humid climate, with A/C and dehumidifier, house is typically 40-50 humidity, not too bad, but nothing like Arizona or New Mexico, for example.
Anyone who pays attention to mold and really having success with the shower, have anything to share?
Posts: 1927 | From se usa | Registered: Mar 2010
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Hey there! Happy New Year!
I know you said you have a dehumidifier for the house, but perhaps an additional one might be considered just for the bathroom. A portable one. I'd been looking at them recently and have one now that works amazingly well in a larger room.
Can't find it easily now, but while searching for you I saw this one. I am NOT recommending it personally because I haven't used it myself, but ratings are high and it looks interesting on Amazon. (see below) No cords, no wires and no emptying the bucket!
There are other ones too, but I don't know how large your bathroom is since you haven't invited me over for a shower yet.
Eva-Dry E-333 Renewable Wireless Mini Dehumidifer by Eva-Dry
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,453 customer reviews | 149 answered questions
List Price: $24.95
Price: $19.95 Free Shipping for Prime Members
You Save: $5.00 (20%)
Before you spend more $$ on doors, curtains, construction, etc, for $25 you can maybe try this? If not working well enough in bathroom, surely there are other spots, like a closet, that it could be used in?
This one might not be big enough capacity, but again, you can find others. I got a 50 pint unit and it is wonderful! Amazing how much extra moisture is in the air- just in a bedroom with open windows! When I close the windows and turn it on it fills to capacity within 2-3 hours.
Also, in Florida (maybe elsewhere) they sell an additive (chemicals) you add to paint to help prevent mold. Check to see if it is "outdoor use" only, I don't remember. They may even have a caulking that has some mold protection too?
I dumped nearly all doors because it just got too hard to slide them back and forth. My hands are weak, so curtains are what I use now. I toss curtains in washer every few weeks or buy really cheap liners and toss them- or recycle them for other uses.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- While I live alone, this is easier but I never close the bathroom door - and I never talk baths. Short, not too hot showers don't make so much steam and it just goes out the door.
My exhaust fan is useless but it's so loud I couldn't possibly use it, anyway, so the open door helps.
If you have family you might settle on some kind of plan to put a tie on the door that will allow it to stay open a little bit but still provide privacy -- if the layout of the bathroom works with that idea . . . and just know that when the door is set that way, consider the others' privacy.
A polyester shower curtain helps, too. Sounds like you have a vinyl one now ("yucky funny smelling plastic curtains," you say)
but they not only grow more mold / mildew it seems, vinyl off-gases petroleum chemicals all the time, and more when hot.
I became very depressed the last time I got a new vinyl shower curtain, although I let it air out on my deck for days. Weeks later, I suspected the new curtain. When I got rid of it, depression lifted in a day.
I can't think to process the rest of your post, sorry. Just add this in case it matters:
As for any caulking or re-grouting, often the whole thing has to be pulled out and done from the inside. And it has to be allowed to dry fully before use. learned that hard way. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- For a start, Google "Polyester shower curtain"
Oh, just do not AIM the shower head at the curtain from inside or some water might be pushed through. But as long as it's not actually beating on curtain, I've never had any kind of problem with this kind.
Every now and then you can gather it together and stick the bottom in a bowl of water with some citrus peel dish soap. I've never seen mold at all, though and do sometimes just splash some soap suds and rinse the bottom just to keep it that way.
These will dry in about a half hour.
you do not need any kind of vinyl liner for these - just make sure the fabric weave is tight. Some examples here:
·Materials: 100-percent polyester -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- While the structural matters are vital, also consider that rather than any kind of fuzzy bathmat, a cork bathmat will not harbor mold spores. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Mold help links. Some of these may have suggestions for your puzzle.
(She is NOT A LLMD, however, she understands the kind of toxicity issues faced by many with lyme. She did not have lyme but overcame very serious MCS. She spoke at the 2011 & 2012 annual ILADS conferences.)
The Environmental Health Center - Dallas, Texas -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- ASK THIS OLD HOUSE - check out their detail about exhaust fans. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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MichaelTampa
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 24868
posted
Thanks for all your thoughts here.
We actually do have a pretty good exhaust fan, upgraded it during mold remediation a few years ago. And we do keep the door open.
Looking more into the polyester style curtain ... never had one myself, parents never had one either. Perhaps I have run into them at a hotel here and there. While looking more at that, ran into this interesting idea to hang the curtain after use.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Bed Bath & Beyond has many.
Some searches for "fabric shower curtain" will get you there and then if you see one you like, just be sure it's not cotton but synthetic / polyester.
I've had this kind for many years. I have one for autumn / winter and trade it out for a light spring summer scene (I'm home far too much and need that change of scenery!). -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
I saw those curtins in motel and switcged to them and all is so easy now. The water doesnt seem.to go thru them and they dryvso fast and are easier on my hands
I have a big dehumidifyer just outsidevtge bath room and i dont wipe down shower walls etc(but many on mold sites say that is important
Ialso notice my walls atay wet awhie but no visable mold yet
Good luck
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Funny how you remember things after time to think!
I remember buying this for one of the showers a while back and it is still good to go.
"Maytex No More Mildew Super Heavy Weight Mildew Free Premium 10 Gauge Shower Liner or Curtain with Rust Proof Metal Grommets, Clear"
It has a "No More Mildew" guarantee. Costs under $12. Over 3,000 customer ratings with a 4 star result.
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
My mom has a fabric shower curtain in her bathroom, it drys super quick. Is really nice, you can throw it in the laundry periodically to wash if needed too.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- What I've found in all the time I spent on this:
Be careful there is not some kind of chemical added to fabric to make it mold resistant - or a spray over it.
Really, anytime you get an outer curtain and a liner, that's just inviting mold, though. One layer curtain dries better.
Grommets can harbor mold so best to go with the other style with just little cuts in where the round things that hold up the curtain go.
Polyester will not require any kind of chemical treatment. Sometimes, there will a light "teflon" coating and that would be best to avoid if possible - but if not, just air it out in the out of doors for a couple hours before bringing it in. It should not smell but Teflon is still not great to be around.
Still, just by the nature of polyester and a tight weave, no chemicals are required. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I use the daily shower spray on the doors and walls of my shower stall. Currently have Tilex.This helps it dry faster. Before doing this, I would have to get in there and wipe everything down with towels!
Also, I use a portable fan aimed at the shower to dry it faster. Helps to circulate the air in the bathroom better. Have strong suspicion that my exhaust fan makes loud noise but does not move air as it should.
I also suspect some mold issues due to leaking in my bathroom but don't want to hijack your thread. Basically try to keep my bathroom as dry as possible because I can't afford to do anything else.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Why use a shower door or curtains? Just point the nozzle in a way it won't spray out everywhere, that's what I do when taking showers in my work apt away from home. You get used to it, also can use a shower hose and nozzle spray that you control. No mess involved either way.
Posts: 532 | From Texas | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Here's a trick I use for eliminating mold on my shower curtain (& shower doors) - dryer sheets. It sounds odd but it works well. I've tried a variety of brands, and both used & fresh sheets with same great results. I also spray (after I shower) a solution of vinegar diluted with some water, and add a couple drops of lavender and Ravinsara essential oils. The later I use mainly for fragrance, but I also enjoy the emotional & physical benefits
Posts: 114 | From California | Registered: Jan 2016
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posted
Sorry, posted before completing... I meant I use the essential oils for fragrance, etc.,... not the vinegar! The vinegar prevents mold/bacteria buildup. I tend to stray away from store bought cleaners due to sensitivities. My husband and I having been living with Lyme + co-infections for years now so we've picked up a few house-keeping tips to simplify our lives.
Posts: 114 | From California | Registered: Jan 2016
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