Pink Mold

Have you ever noticed some type of pink colored growth around your bathroom windows or shower? What about around your dishwasher seal?

If so, you could have pink mold growing around these areas.

This article is going to give you some information about pink mold, its risks, and how to properly remove it and prevent it from returning to your home.

What is pink mold?

Pink mold is not actually a “mold,” but a bacterial growth commonly found in damp areas of the home like the bathroom and kitchen. The two common types are Aureobasidium and Fusarium. These bacterial colonies can grow on many surfaces and locations which we will go into more depth later.

Other types of fungus that appear in pink color:

Just because it’s not technically a mold, does not mean you can just wipe it away and it’s gone. It acts very similar to a mold colony and will return if not remediated properly. It also poses many health risks that mimic various types of molds as well. These are just a few reasons why it’s classified as a mold.

What does pink mold look like?

Pink mold can take on different shapes, colors, and “textures” as well. It can be light pink, dry, and fuzzy looking. Conversely, it can also take on a very slimy texture, a deep pink color, and very damp looking to the naked eye.

Pink slime mold

The pink slime mold, also known as Fuligo septica or Lycogala epidendrum, is found all over the world. They are most commonly found in moist shady places like wet leaves and logs. Falling rains wash spores off of the log into the surrounding ground to start new slime molds. The temperature can affect how large they grow or how quickly they reproduce. Pink slime molds are generally not poisonous but they do secrete digestive enzymes that can cause inflammation if eaten.

What causes pink mold growth?

As with other types of molds, pink mold loves to colonize in damp, warm places. Also, keeping these areas in your home clean goes a long way to preventing molds of all species from growing.

Regular cleaning of showers, shower curtains, bathroom walls, windows, ledges, and floors will prevent mold from growing as you are removing one of the three conditions for mold to grow.

Mold needs a damp warm dark environment, as well as a food source. Take out one of the three conditions, heat, moisture, or foods, and mold will not spread or colonize.

Where can you find pink mold inside your home?

Pink mold likes all the places other molds like in order to grow. Bathrooms, kitchens, and basements are all ideal places for pink fungus to grow and spread.

Pink mold in bathrooms

Bathrooms are nice warm damp environments. Keeping them dryer by using proper ventilation when showering and removing standing water around showers and windows will help in preventing outbreaks. If you use a shower curtain, it will provide the proper conditions for pink mold growth as the soap scum and water left over from multiple showers will encourage growth. Keeping these items clean and dry after each shower will prevent mold growth from happening.

Pink mold in toilet

Around the toilet is another great place for pink mold to congregate. The toilet is naturally “dirty” and damp so mold will grow here quickly. It will gather under the toilet seat and under the toilet itself if there is water that gets underneath it somehow.

Pink mold in the kitchen (around sink and dishwasher)

In the kitchen, food that is left out uncovered, or around the sink and dishwashers are great places to grow mold because of the warm damp environments that are created. Food particles will get caught around the sink and dishwasher seals and mold will gather in these areas to feed on the leftover food.

To keep mold from growing in these areas, clean around the sink and the dishwasher regularly and it will prevent the mold from colonizing.

Mold growing on food is a regular occurrence. Food provides ample nutrients to grow mold and if it’s left out of the refrigerator it will be the correct temperature for proper growth to begin.

Pink mold in basements

The basement areas of your home are naturally damp because of the exposed concrete and lower temperatures. Mold will grow there because most times, basements do not go through the same cleaning procedures as the living spaces in your home. They are usually just cleaned when they become very soiled.

If your home has a sump system, ensure your pump is working correctly and is pumping water to the outside of your home. Also, keep the areas around the sump clean from residue and dust.

Pink mold in a humidifier

Mold can grow in your humidifier if it is not cleaned regularly. The issue with mold in a humidifier is that it can release spores into the air and cause respiratory problems if you breathe them in. Mold also has a pungent smell which will linger in the room even after you clean the affected area. If your humidifier is showing signs of mold then it should be dried out or replaced.

Pink mold on clothes

Laundry rooms and closets are also great places for pink mold to grow. The damp washer area, the heat created from the dryer, and the detergent, as well as the dirt from soiled clothing, will provide everything a mold needs to grow.

The rules are the same when it comes to preventing mold in these areas. Keep the laundry room clean from dirt, food and dust. Keep the washer and dryer clean and dry when not in use. These procedures will make sure you prevent mold from growing in the laundry room or on the clothing that you are getting ready to clean or have just finished cleaning.

If you see any pink or any other color growths happening in your home, contact Mold Busters so they can send a fully trained professional to your location in order to confirm that you have mold and then set up a remediation plan to remove it properly.

Do not try to remove or clean the mold yourself as you can inadvertently spread it to other places in your home.

Health risks of pink mold

Can pink mold make you sick? The simple answer is yes.

Although it is not technically a mold, it behaves very similar to mold and can cause a vast array of health issues.

The following are all symptoms that can be traced to pink colored mold exposure.

Respiratory issues (coughing, wheezing and respiratory tract infections)
Allergic reactions (coughing, sneezing, itchy watery eyes, ears, and sinus troubles)
Pneumonia and bronchitis
Bladder and urinary tract infections
Poisoning from eating tainted food
Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, and diarrhea)

The most common symptoms occur in young people, immunocompromised individuals, and the elderly. However, anyone can develop symptoms.

How to prevent pink mold from growing?

As mentioned earlier, preventing mold with pink color is very similar to preventing any type of mold from growing. Keeping trouble areas clean, dry, and free from food sources is essential in keeping mold from growing. After showering or bathing dry all surfaces and clean the shower curtain or glass with an after-shower spray. This works great in preventing mold from growing.

In the kitchen, keep all food in sealed containers and covered. Also regularly keep the seals around the dishwasher clean and once a month run a cleaning cycle with an approved dishwasher interior cleaner as that will go a long way in keeping pink mold from growing in the kitchen.

In the basement and laundry rooms, keep clutter, clothing and other items off the floor. Keeping the basement area clean is essential for preventing mold growth. Making sure the sump system is working properly and pumping to the exterior of the home is critical to keep moisture down in the basement as well.

If you have any doubts, contact a Mold Busters professional and they will give your home a full inspection and provide any recommendations that may be needed to correct for proper mold prevention.

How to get rid of pink mold?

As with any mold type, removing and cleaning areas that have been infected with mold is best left to the professionals at Mold Busters. If you do not have the proper equipment or knowledge, you could spread mold to other areas of your home and make the situation worse.

Contact Mold Busters to have a fully trained professional visit and properly assess and remediate the mold growth. Doing this will ensure your home is safe and free of mold that could make your family ill.

Frequently asked questions

Can mold be pink?

Well, technically no. There is no pink mold, but rather a bacterial infestation that has very similar characteristics and reactions to mold. Pink colored mold reacts the same as fungal mold, so it’s classified as a mold strain when it’s dealt with by an inspection and remediation firm.

Is pink mold dangerous?

The simple answer is yes. Pink mold can be very dangerous. It is more dangerous to the very young, the elderly, and to people who are immunocompromised but can make anyone sick. The symptoms range from a runny nose and sneezing to poisoning which could include vomiting and diarrhea. If you think you have pink colored mold, or any other mold growing inside your home, contact Mold Busters right away.

Does vinegar kill pink mold?

No. Since pink colored mold is not a fungi-based mold, vinegar is not effective in killing pink mold bacteria. It will indeed slow down the growth, but the mold will return as it is not killed only temporarily knocked down.

How to clean pink mold off surfaces?

The proper way to clean pink mold off surfaces is to contact a professional at Mold Busters. They will visit your property, create a plan and properly remediate the affected areas so that your mold issues are resolved correctly.

If you have pink mold, any type of mold growth, or other contaminants in your home, contact Mold Busters right away to get an inspection and remediation plan in place to ensure your home is safe and healthy.

How to prevent pink mold in humidifiers?

In order to prevent pink mold from growing in your humidifier, you should make sure you use distilled water or a demineralization cartridge. You should also make sure the unit is covered and filled with the recommended level of water.

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Published: December 17, 2021 Updated: May 27, 2022

Written by:
Steven Adams
AMRT, WRT, ASD
Mold Busters

Fact checked by:
Michael Golubev
CEO
Mold Busters