Although bathrooms are designed to be bright and pleasant areas of privacy, problems can occur when ventilation is poor. Poor ventilation can cause a bad smell, but more importantly, it can be a source of mold, mildew and other issues brought on by an over-abundance of moisture and humidity. Fortunately, you can improve the ventilation in most bathrooms by taking advantage of their surroundings.
Open the Window
Bathrooms in many homes have windows, which can improve ventilation and prevent stale air and humidity from becoming a source of mold and mildew. If the window looks out onto a public walkway or yard, use blinds or a curtain to cover the area. Avoid curtains made from fabric since the organic material in the fabric can be affected by the moisture and heat passing through it. Instead, use vertical blinds or a vinyl curtain to maintain privacy. If using venetian blinds, open them at a downward angle that allows for ventilation but keeps onlookers from gaining an inside view.
Use the Vent Fan
Many bathrooms in apartment complexes do not feature a window. Still, many of these bathrooms are equipped with a ventilation fan designed to suck up hot air and humidity, allowing the ventilation system to exchange it for fresh, clean air. Some ventilation fans operate automatically when the light turns on in the bathroom while others have an exclusive switch. Like all ventilation systems, these vents should be occasionally cleaned to prevent blockage. These fans require duct work to be installed from the bathroom to the outside and can be an expensive upgrade to a bathroom.
Open the Door
Older apartments and houses may not have access to a vent or window. In these cases, leaving the door open, during and after showers, can help maintain a cool temperature while giving humidity adequate room to dissipate. This will also reduce odors, which are more pungent when contained in a small area.
Other Fans
Portable fans and, where possible, ceiling fans can also be used to circulate air, reducing humidity while also cooling air temperature. While ceiling fans are sealed units and connect to the home's power system, plug-in electrical fans should be located away from open water sources, such as the sink or shower.
Tags: ceiling fans, improve ventilation, mold mildew, source mold, source mold mildew