What is that Pink Stuff on my Shower Floor and Walls

 

What is that Pink Stuff on my Shower Floor and Walls

By Frederick M. Hueston, Stoneforensics.com

 

You walk into your shower and notice this pink discoloration growing between the grout on your tile floors and walls. You may also encounter this pink stain on your toilet where the water line is. What is this pink stuff? Most professionals assume it is a type of mold. There on the right track but there wrong. The pink stuff is caused from a bacterium called Serratia Marcescens. This bacterium is found in the environment and tends to grow on soap and shampoo films.

If you’re a healthy individual the bacteria is harmless, however people with comprises immune systems can experience aliments such as urinary tract and bladder infections. The bacteria can enter the body through the eyes and any open cuts or wounds. For this reason it is best to remove the bacteria with the following procedure:

 

Cleaning that Pink Stuff

 

Fortunately removing this pink bacterium is fairly easy.

To remove the pink film, take about a cup of baking soda and mix it into a paste by adding some liquid dish detergent. Apply this paste to the pink areas and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes or so. Next scrub the surface with a soft nylon scrub brush and rinse with plenty of water.  Repeat until all the pink is gone.

Prevention

Cleaning is not enough since there still may be bacteria. You will need to disinfect the shower. The best disinfectant is bleach. Mix about a ¼ cup of household bleach to a gallon of water. Spray this mixture and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Then rinse with plenty of water.

This Pink bacterium spreads in damp and wet areas so its important to dry the shower each time its used to remove any excess water.

If soap scum or shampoo starts to accumulate clean it with a nonacid shower cleaner and towel dry.

Remove any shower curtains and wash on a monthly basis.

Keep the bathroom air circulating to help keep in dry. Turning on the exhaust fan for 20 minutes after a shower will help.

Make sure to keep bathroom windows closed. This bacterium is air-borne and can enter from the outside air.