What causes mold to grow in the toilet?

Mold is a common issue in homes in the damp Pacific Northwest. It’s not uncommon for mold spores permeate the air in a house, but they won’t turn into the black mold colonies until they find a nice dark, moist location to grow. The inside of a toilet bowl makes a good home for mold, and the grayish-black ring appears around the upper rim of the bowl. So what can you do about it? Here are a few tips to help get rid of the mold and keep it from returning.

 Chlorine Method #1:

• Move your bathroom rugs and toilet lid cover away from the toilet bowl. Turn on the fan in the bathroom, open a window, or do both to provide proper ventilation for cleaning.
• Flush the toilet once to bring in a fresh supply of water. Pour 1 cup of bleach into the bowl and 1 cup of bleach into the tank.
• Stir the bleach around in the water with the toilet bowl brush. Be sure to get some up under the rim.
• Let the chlorine sit in the toilet for about an hour with the lid closed.
• Scrub the mold with a toilet brush or similar non-abrasive material taking care to move the chlorine around the bowl and brushing under the rim.
• Wait 15 minutes. This gives the bleach enough time to eliminate the black mold and mildew growth on the bowl.
• Flush the toilet and wipe the seat and rim with a 1:10 bleach-water solution.
• Scrub any remaining mold stains with a toilet brush or similar non-abrasive material.
• Add 1 cup of bleach to the tank and flush.
• For maintenance add 1 cup of bleach to the tank a few times a week or consider a bleach toilet tab.

Chlorine Method #2:

If you handy around the house you may want to try the method featured in the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLK7tymQhSc

Vinegar Method:

• Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl and 1 cup of vinegar in the tank with the water.
• Sprinkle baking soda around the inside of the bowl and into the water in the bowl. Be sure to get some up under the rim. (Prepare for fizzing!!)
• Let the vinegar/baking soda sit in the toilet for about an hour with the lid closed.
• Scrub the mold with a toilet brush or similar non-abrasive material taking care to move the vinegar water around the bowl and brushing under the rim.
• Let the toilet sit for about 15 minutes with the lid closed.
• Flush the toilet and wipe the seat and rim with a vinegar soaked cloth or sponge.
• Scrub any remaining mold stains with a toilet brush or similar non-abrasive material.
• Let the toilet sit with the lid closed for a few hours before using it again.
• Add 1 cup of vinegar to the toilet tank a few times a week to help prevent the mold from coming back.