How to Remove Pink Mold from Bathroom

What Is Pink Mold in the Bathroom?

Despite being called "pink mold," the pink or orange-red slime you see in your bathroom is usually not a true mold at all. It's most commonly a bacterium called Serratia marcescens — a waterborne bacteria that thrives in moist environments and feeds on soap residue, shampoo, and mineral deposits. It appears as pink, orange, or reddish-pink stains in showers, around drains, on grout, and on shower curtains. While less dangerous than black mold, it can cause infections in people with weakened immune systems and should be removed promptly.

Where Pink Mold Commonly Appears

• Shower floor and walls near the drain
• Grout lines in the shower
• Around the toilet waterline
• On shower curtains and liners
• Around sink drains
• On soap dishes and toothbrush holders

What You'll Need

• Disinfectant spray or bleach-based cleaner
• Grout brush or scrub brush
• Rubber gloves
• Microfiber cloths
• Baking soda (for scrubbing)

Method 1: Bleach-Based Cleaner (Most Effective)

1. Wear rubber gloves and ensure good ventilation.
2. Spray Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bleach Cleaner directly onto the pink stains.
3. Let sit for 10–15 minutes.
4. Scrub with a grout brush for grout lines, or a microfiber cloth for smooth surfaces.
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

Method 2: Disinfectant Spray (For Mild Cases)

For early-stage pink mold, spray Lysol Disinfectant Spray directly onto the affected area. Let sit for the contact time on the label, then scrub and rinse. Lysol kills Serratia marcescens effectively.

Method 3: Baking Soda Scrub (Natural Option)

Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply to pink stains, let sit 10 minutes, scrub with a brush, and rinse. Follow with a spray of white vinegar to kill remaining bacteria.

How to Prevent Pink Mold from Returning

Pink mold returns quickly if conditions aren't changed. The key prevention strategies:

• Reduce soap residue: Rinse shower walls thoroughly after each use to remove the soap film that feeds the bacteria.
• Dry surfaces: Use a squeegee on shower walls after every shower. Less moisture = less pink mold.
• Improve ventilation: Run the exhaust fan during and after every shower.
• Weekly disinfecting: Spray shower surfaces weekly with Lysol or a diluted bleach solution as a preventive measure.
• Replace shower curtain liner: Wash monthly and replace every 3–6 months.
• Use a dehumidifier: A dehumidifier reduces the ambient moisture that allows bacteria to thrive.

Recommended Products

• Scrubbing Bubbles Foaming Bleach Cleaner (2-Pack) — most effective for removing pink mold
• Lysol Disinfectant Spray (12-Pack) — kills Serratia marcescens bacteria
• Foxtrot Living Grout Brush — for scrubbing pink mold from grout lines
• Dehumidifier (95oz, 1000 sq ft) — reduce moisture to prevent recurrence
• It's Just Baking Soda (1.25 lb) — natural scrub for mild pink mold