Mould prevention tips: Expert warns a toilet paper habit everyone does can cause ‘hidden mould’

Storing things where you need them makes sense, but in the case of toilet paper rolls an expert has made a good case for finding another location.

For many, the bathroom is the ideal place to store extra rolls given that’s where the toilet often is.

However, the humidity and moisture often present in the space are bad news for something as porous as toilet paper.

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“Contrary to popular belief, the bathroom is actually one of the worst places for long-term storage for additional rolls of paper other than the one currently in use,” Sarah Day, storage expert at Pay Less for Storage told The Express.

“This is because damp and enclosed environments can quickly ruin tissue-based products, not only making them unusable but also contributing to hidden mould build-up.”

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That means by the time you get to the last roll in your stockpile you find the paper is damp and potentially even signs of mould on or around the roll.

Instead of storing toilet paper rolls in the bathroom, Day recommends using a hallway or linen cupboard. That way you can just keep the roll you need and a spare or two by the toilet rather than your entire supply.

The bathroom can be OK for toilet paper roll storage if it has good ventilation and the storage is off the floor as air circulation helps prevent mould from occurring.

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Toilet paper isn’t the only hidden spot mould can occur in the bathroom, soap and shampoo bottles can also be an issue.

Toiletries kept on the bathroom vanity and in the shower can cause and develop mould due to the water that pools under and on them.

”Wipe down bottles after use, store them on shelves or racks with proper drainage, and avoid leaving them directly on wet surfaces like the bath edge or shower tray,” Rikki Fothergill, design expert at Big Bathroom Shop told The Express.

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Shower curtains are another mould hotspot as they often don’t get the chance to dry out properly.

All you need to do to prevent mould on your shower curtain is to spread it out fully when you get out of the shower so it can dry more easily. Washing it in the machine weekly also helps, as does opening a window and/or leaving the bathroom fan on for a while after the shower.

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Bath mats are also on the list of potential mould contributors in the bathroom but one woman has come up with a clever way to prevent it.

Lauren shared her hack for drying bath mats between use in a TikTok video where she admitted her husband calls the trick “weird”.

The hack involves attaching a coat hanger with clips to one end of the bath mat so you can simply hang it up after you’ve stepped on it and then pop it back down the next time you use it.

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While many people were surprised by the hack they also thought it was a smart way to keep the bath mat dry and clean.

”Not weird, actually very useful. but I still hate it,” one said.

“It’s genius. Not aestetically pleasing, but genius,” another commented.

“Is it weird? Yes. But is it also the most brilliant idea I have ever seen and will I be adopting this going forward? Also yes,” a woman posted.

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