What is this White Stuff Growing in Toilet Bowl?

A dirty toilet is the most awful and ugly site in a bathroom. Everyone notices white film, black rings, and brown/black/red spots in the bowl. These spots and circles can be harmful and emit rotten odors.

Today, we will discuss the white stuff you see growing in the toilet bowl. This stuff appears like white threads hanging from toilet bowl. It often has a like hair-like growth in the toilet bowl.

This article will explain the following things

• What is the white stuff in the toilet bowl?
• Why does white mold grow in the toilet bowl?
• How to treat (remove) it from the toilet bowl?
• How to prevent the white stuff from growing in your toilet?

What is this White Stuff Growing in the Toilet Bowl?

The white hair-like stuff you notice in the toilet bowl is a fungus. It is commonly known as white mold. There are different types of fungus that cause white mold in the toilet. The appearance differs based on the type of mold in the toilet bowl.

The common types of fungus that cause white mold in the toilet are Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Fusarium. Penicillium causes white water mold in the toilet, Cladosporium is responsible for the white stuff, and Fusarium is the culprit behind white hair-like growth in the toilet bowl.

The white fungus is usually invisible initially unlike the black fungus. It demonstrates itself when it grows in size. Many times white fungus is overshadowed by black or colored fungi.

Why is White Stuff (Fungus) growing in Toilet Bowl?

Molds grow in dark and humid places. It also grows in places where filthy and stagnant water is present. White mold usually grows in swimming pools and hot tubs as water gets old or is not replaced.

You may also find white mold in attic walls, leather clothes, and basement walls.

You may be thinking why does white mold grow in a toilet bowl? It grows there because of dirty water. If the toilet is not flushed after every use or the washroom isn’t used for a long time. White mold also inhabits toilets that are not cleaned regularly.

Toilets that are not properly ventilated or don’t get sunlight also face mold problems.

Bathroom walls that stay wet for a long time can also act as a thriving ground for white mold. Molds often colonize other areas like the toilet tank and rim.

You can also read: How to treat mold on walls before painting?

Can urine cause mold in the toilet bowl?

Mold thrives in sugary environments, but there is no proven link between urine supporting mold growth.

There are various other factors responsible for mold growth as discussed above. If these factors are taken care of, and you notice frequent mold growth, consult a physician. Sugar in your urine may be causing mold to grow in the toilet bowl.

Here’s the link to the Reddit thread that discusses how many people have faced mold problem due to sugar in the urine.

You can read user’s first-hand account here on how they come to know that mold made them test for diabetes. A couple of users even diagnosed diabetics in their kids due to frequent mold occurrences in washrooms.

How to treat White Stuff (Mold) from the toilet bowl?

The good part about removing mold from the toilet bowl is that you can use abrasive cleaners. Using abrasive cleaner or ones with bleach must be avoided when cleaning toilet tanks.

You will need long plastic gloves, a face mask, and safety goggles to avoid mold spores coming in contact with you. You will also need some toilet cleaning rags and a toilet cleaning brush. Oxo’s good grip brush is a good choice for mold and general cleanup.

You can remove the white stuff from the toilet bowl in several ways. Household cleaning items will do the needful most times, but you can also use commercial cleaning tablets or mold removers to get the work done quickly.

Method #1: Using Bleach& Vinegar to Remove Mold from the Toilet Bowl

• Prepare the bathroom for action by turning on the fan and opening the windows for better ventilation.
• Remove any toilet covers and bathroom rugs.
• Flush the toilet or pour a bucket of water into the bowl to clear any gunk in the bowl.
• Pour one cup of bleach into the toilet tank and one cup of vinegar into the toilet tank.
• Use a toilet brush to mix the bleach with water in the bowl, and don’t forget to pour some bleach under the rim.
• Close the lid for an hour or two.
• Scrub the bowl with a cleaning brush or a rag while wearing gloves. Chlorine has a pungent odor, so don’t forget to wear a respirator and goggles.
• Flush the toilet.
• Wipe the seat and rim with a diluted (2 parts bleach and 10 parts water) solution. Wash them thoroughly with water to rinse any leftover bleach.
• You can also scrub the toilet tank to remove any mold in it. This ensures that moldy water doesn’t enter the toilet bowl.

Method # 2: Using Commercial Cleaner to Remove White Stuff from Toilet Bowl

You can use a commercial cleaner to remove white stuff growing in your toilet bowl. It may be a bit costly, but this is hassle-free. Moreover, keeping a toilet cleaning tablet in the tank keeps the toilet clean as it dispenses some cleaning chemicals every time you flush.

RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray and Clorox toilet bowl cleaning tablets are perfect for adding in the toilet tank.

Method # 3: Using Household Items to Remove White Stuff from Toilet Bowl

Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful mold killer. You will need gloves, a face mask, and safety goggles to work with it.

Borax effectively kills bacteria and mold spores. Borax is abrasive and must not be used in a toilet tank or on the toilet seat. It is safe for the toilet bowl. Borax is mixed in water to make a cleaning solution for mold.https://www.youtube.com/embed/NLK7tymQhSc

How to Prevent the White Stuff (White Mold) from Growing in your Toilet?

Mold grows in dark and humid places. It often grows in a toilet tank and is carried to the toilet bowl. Here are a few tips to help you keep mold away from toilet tanks.

• Flush after every use.
• Clean the toilet and bathroom once a week, even if it isn’t dirty. High-traffic washrooms must be cleaned twice a week.
• Use cleaning tablets in the toilet tank to keep mild away.
• Ensure you clean the toilet rim and seat to remove mold from hideouts.
• Maintain air circulation in the washroom; open windows. Turn on the exhaust while using the toilet or showering.
• You can also install a humidifier to check humidity levels in small, poorly ventilated bathrooms.
• Check for leaks in the bathroom’s plumbing system. It is very difficult to detect a leak in your toilet tank. But, color dyes make it easy for you. Pour 2-3 drops of colored dye into the tank and see if the water in the toilet bowl gets colored after a few hours without flushing.
• Add bleach to the toilet bowl if you plan on not using the bathroom for a long time.
• Try to keep your bathroom dry as much as possible. Use floor and hand wipers to remove water from the floor and walls.
• Spray a disinfectant in your bathroom after you are done cleaning the toilet tank and toilet bowl.
• Dispose of absorbent and porous stuff like mats and rugs if they become moldy.

Final Words

The white stuff growing in your toilet bowl is white mold. The white mold can turn into black or brown later on. There are various ways to remove white mold from the toilet bowl. You can select the one you think is the easiest to work with.