Mold in or around the toilet is a common problem that many have. Here's how to deal with it and if it could mean something more.

We can bet that cleaning toilets is probably everyone’s least favorite household chore. Especially when there’s mold involved. Unfortunately, due to the humidity in your bathroom, mold on your toilet base can happen.

Below, we’ve asked a few experts for their best tips on how to clean mold on your toilet base, so you can have a sanitary and clean place to do your business. 

Before Getting Started

Not only does mold on your toilet base look gross, but more importantly, it’s not great for your health, either. “Prolonged mold exposure can cause allergic reactions and breathing troubles in many people,” explains Ryan Knoll, founder of Tidy Casa, a home cleaning service. “Mold also spreads, so ignoring the issue is only going to make it worse.”

As mold grows, it releases microscopic particles called spores into the air. “Some species of mold also release microscopic toxins called mycotoxins that are toxic to the human body,” explains Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert, environmental wellness advocate, and founder of HomeCleanse. “The longer that mold is present, the more particles it will release into your air. These particles are small enough to be inhaled into the body, triggering an immune response and a lengthy list of potential chronic symptoms.”

In order to stop this exposure, the mold needs to be properly removed. “Not to mention, the more mold spores there are in your air, the higher the likelihood of issues developing elsewhere in the home,” explains Rubino. “Mold also decomposes organic matter, so if it gets onto your flooring, it will break that down.”

When it comes to the toilet base, the inside will always be prime real estate for mold because there’s a continuous source of moisture. “That’s where cleaning and air purification come into play,” explains Rubino. “The cleaner the air is, the fewer mold spores there will be to maximize on this location. Also, the cleaner the toilet base is, the fewer nutrient opportunities mold can use to grow, such as mineral buildup and other organic matter.”

If mold is present outside the base, it could be caused by a variety of issues. The first and simplest is to determine whether the humidity in the room is too high. According to Rubino, you want to keep it between 35% and 50% because mold can grow in humidity of 60% and above. “High humidity can also create condensation along the base,” he says. “If this moisture build-up doesn’t dry out within 24-48 hours, there’s an opportunity for microbial growth.”

Before cleaning the inside and outside of your toilet base, it’s always a great idea to test on a small area. Toilet bases are made of different materials, such as ceramic or porcelain, and each material reacts differently to certain solutions. “Strong chemicals, particularly on surfaces such as porcelain, are prone to corroding, discoloration, or some other unwanted reaction,” says Rubino. “You can avoid this problem by testing a small area out of sight. An even better alternative is to look at the manufacturer’s instructions for their recommendations, as all toilets are different.”

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