Pink Mould: Is it Harmful and How Do You Get Rid of It? (2025)

When you’re seeing slimy pink stains round your bathe, sink, or rest room, you’re most likely coping with pink mould — and whereas it will not be as scary as black mould, it’s nonetheless an issue you shouldn’t ignore.

Sure forms of pink mould, like Serratia marcescens, are literally micro organism that thrive in moist, soap-scummy environments and might trigger infections, particularly in folks with bronchial asthma, weakened immune programs, or contact lens customers.

Eliminating pink mould isn’t only a matter of scrubbing with cleaning soap and water. You’ll have to take correct security precautions and use efficient cleaners like bleach, borax, or hydrogen peroxide. For bigger infestations — particularly these protecting greater than three sq. toes or discovered inside HVAC ducts — it’s finest to name in a licensed mould remediation professional.

On this information, we’ll clarify what pink mould is, the place it comes from, the well being dangers it poses, and learn how to clear it up for good.

What Is Pink Mould and Why Does It Kind?

Pink mould isn’t all the time mould. In most bogs, the wrongdoer is Serratia marcescens, a micro organism that appears like slimy pink or orange mould.

It thrives on moisture and feeds on the fats and phosphorus in cleaning soap scum — which makes showers, sinks, and bathroom bowls prime actual property.

You’ll sometimes spot it:

• Round bathe tile grout
• In rest room bowls or sink drains
• On rest room flooring, partitions, and even inside cupboards if the humidity is excessive sufficient

One other offender is Aureobasidium pullulans, a real mould that begins off pink, yellow, or white however darkens to brown or black over time.

It prefers natural supplies like damp window frames, plant soil, or linseed oil paints.

Fusarium is one other pink mould species, but it surely’s much less prone to present up indoors. When it does, it often begins on houseplants and might unfold to wallpaper or carpet if moisture is current.

The most typical kind, Serratia marcescens, is usually low-risk for wholesome folks however may cause:

• Pores and skin infections, significantly if it enters a minimize or abrasion
• Urinary or respiratory infections if inhaled or unfold by means of contaminated surfaces
• Eye infections, particularly in touch lens customers (by no means retailer lenses in a moldy rest room)

Aureobasidium pullulans may be extra harmful with long-term publicity. It typically hides in humidifiers and circulates all through your HVAC system. This may result in “humidifier lung,” a lung irritation that causes coughing, shortness of breath, and flu-like signs.

Fusarium is uncommon indoors, however when it seems, it could actually pose a critical danger if spores contaminate meals or enter the physique by means of wounds — particularly in folks with compromised immune programs.

Backside line: Whereas pink mould isn’t the worst type of mould, it nonetheless must be handled. Don’t watch for signs to look earlier than taking motion.

Getting Rid of Pink Mould

When you’re wholesome and the mould is proscribed to a small, easy-to-reach space — just like the nook of your bathe — you may sort out the cleanup your self. However for something greater than a 3-square-foot patch, or if the mould is inside your HVAC system or adopted a sewage backup, it’s time to name a licensed mould remediation professional.

When To Name a Skilled

Skip the DIY route and rent a professional if:

• You’ve bronchial asthma or one other respiratory situation.
• The mould covers greater than 3 sq. toes.
• It’s inside HVAC ducts or behind partitions.
• It appeared after a plumbing or sewage leak.

For mould in your ductwork, you’ll additionally want an HVAC technician to determine what’s inflicting the moisture buildup.

DIY Pink Mould Elimination (Step-by-Step)

If it’s a small patch and also you’re wholesome, right here’s learn how to deal with it safely:

1. Put on safety: Gloves, goggles, and an N95 respirator masks are a should. Mould publicity can irritate your lungs, pores and skin, and eyes — even when it’s not black mould.

2. Vacuum the world: Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to lure free mould spores earlier than you begin scrubbing.

3. Choose your cleaner:

• Bleach: Combine 1.5 cups of bleach with 1 gallon of water (a couple of 10:1 ratio).
• Borax: Use 1 cup per gallon of water.
• Vinegar or hydrogen peroxide: Use full-strength — no have to dilute. (Necessary: by no means combine cleaners, particularly bleach with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide — the fumes may be poisonous.)

4. Apply and scrub: Spray your cleaner straight onto the moldy floor, let it sit for at the least an hour, then scrub with a sponge or brush. Rinse with clear water and dry completely.

Mould Prevention Suggestions

To maintain pink mould from coming again:

Clear out humidifiers typically, particularly should you use them every day.

• Spray vinegar month-to-month on tile, grout, or different drawback areas.
• Use a toilet fan or open a window after showers.
• Wipe down moist surfaces like bathe partitions or counter tops usually.

Last Ideas

Pink mould won’t be probably the most harmful kind of mould, but it surely’s nonetheless one thing it’s best to cope with immediately — particularly if anybody in your family has bronchial asthma, allergic reactions, or a weakened immune system.

For small patches, you may often deal with removing your self with correct security gear and an efficient cleaner like bleach, borax, or vinegar. Simply keep in mind: cleaning soap and water gained’t minimize it. And if the mould retains coming again, covers a big space, or reveals up in your HVAC system, usher in knowledgeable to completely get rid of it and repair the foundation trigger.

Staying on high of moisture and common cleansing is one of the best ways to cease pink mould from coming again.