Martha Stewart's Best Tips And Tricks To Prevent Mildew In Your Bathroom

Whether collaborating with Snoop Dog on an Emmy-nominated TV show, publishing her own magazine, or designing cookware, Martha Stewart remains a major force in the lifestyle industry. As she noted in a 2018 essay, "I've been dubbed a 'late bloomer,' and I love the moniker" (via MarthaStewart.com). It wasn't until she reached her early forties, in 1982, that Stewart published her first book, "Entertaining." 

Though she had previously worked on Wall Street as a stockbroker, it was this book that launched her billion-dollar empire. In the four decades since, Stewart has gone on to publish nearly 100 books, all of which give expert advice on creating everything from "Pies and Tarts" to "Great American Wreaths" (via Goodreads).

Even during her five-month prison sentence — Stewart was charged with conspiracy, making false statements, and obstruction of justice in 2004, per Insider — she never stopped crafting. In 2021, the A-lister even posted a TikTok showing off a nativity scene she sculpted while behind bars. Over the course of her storied career, the business mogul has found numerous ways to turn her mistakes into profit. 

As she likes to say, "So the pie isn't perfect? Cut it into wedges" (via MarthaStewart.com). Given her decades of experience running a lifestyle brand, Stewart is certainly one of the best people to turn to when it comes to cleaning tips and tricks. If your bathroom is susceptible to mildew, for instance, the cleaning queen has some sage advice. 

Mold thrives in dark, humid areas, meaning bathrooms and basements are perfect breeding grounds. To prevent mildew, which can eventually develop into mold colonies according to Today, it's important to keep your bathroom surfaces dry and clean. MarthaStewart.com recommends concentrating on moisture-retaining materials. Rather than bunching up damp towels, for instance, hang them in areas where they'll dry quickly.

According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Stewart also advises squeegeeing your shower doors after each use and cleaning the toilet with vinegar in her 2018 guide, "The Martha Manuel." Mildew loves moisture, and wet surfaces will act as the perfect catalyst for little mold colonies, towns, and (eventually) bustling cities. As Stewart's website notes, improving air circulation in your bathroom can make it harder for mildew to grow. 

Open shelving, for instance, won't retain as much moisture as enclosed cabinets. Consider introducing a dehumidifier to your bathroom or using a fan the next time you enjoy a hot shower. As Humble Suds co-founder Jennifer Parnell suggested in an interview with MarthaStewart.com, "Ensure the humidity in your home is below 60 percent — it should ideally be between 30 and 50 percent, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)." 

Likewise, always dry off beaded water on bathroom walls and wipe down slippery floors too. With these tips, your bathroom will go from a breeding ground for fungus to a spa-like environment in no time.  

Once it develops, mold can take a serious toll on your health. That's why it's important to take the necessary precautions when scrubbing fungal build-up off bathroom surfaces. For starters, MarthaStewart.com recommends donning a pair of rubber gloves and an N95 mask to protect your lungs — thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us have a decent supply of PPE equipment to hand. Next, carefully create a bleach solution. 

Stewart suggests combining one-and-a-half tablespoons of sodium percarbonate with 16 ounces of hot water in an empty spray bottle. Keep in mind that cleaning products should always be handled with care. For instance, bleach reacts with ammonia to produce dangerous fumes, as Home Depot warns. Read up on these cleaning products that should never be mixed before you start combining chemicals at home, too.

Once your bleach solution is safely in the bottle, spray the mold extensively. Let the solution sit for about half an hour before scrubbing it with a sponge and, finally, rinsing thoroughly with water. Also, keep in mind that pressure can build up in the spray bottle if you don't let the air out every once in a while. Further, while you're cleaning, make sure to occasionally unscrew the top to let the mixture breathe.