What is going on in my bathroom!?

Question

Okay so I just moved into this apartment about a month ago and I'm starting to notice these rust colored spatters by the toilet and shower and now theres some getting on the sink. I used to keep my cat in there before she could get along with my other one and that was the first time I saw it and so I thought it was blood spatters and I thought she was bleeding. She had no sign of any injury so I cleaned it up, confused. Now its back and neither cat has been in the bathroom. And it's getting all over now. Its all over the floor and all over the bathtub and all over the toilet and sink. It's really close to the wall though, I noticed. And we have to keep the door closed because the cats will get in there (my bathroom is no longer cat proof). So I'm confused...what is this?!?!?! Is is some kind of mold, does it have to do with the water and the humidity, and how do I clean it up? It just keeps coming back.

Oh and if it helps...we live in Arizona and we have an air conditioner. Maybe the climate has something to do with it?

does anyone know?

thank you!

Answer 1

Something definitely might be growing there. As you said, there is a history of mold there. And that's not right for you to live in conditions like that. I would raise h**l with my landlord because that isn't good. And yes, if it keeps coming back, that is a sign there is definitely something growing there.

It is possible that there is some water buildup. Maybe since you close your door so the cats can't get it, somehow it traps whatever might be causing that rust color. I believe yes it does have something to do with the water, since it seems to be around where water is, you say on the floor by the wall (where pipes are)  and around the toilet and bathtub and sink.

You need to definitely get that checked out. But you can also keep it at bay with some regular cleaner or maybe try some bleach water. In my experience, hydrogen peroxide can kill molds. buy some very cheap hydrogen peroxide and see what that does. Or use bleach. Don't let the mold take over your bathroom! It sounds like it's fighting to.

Good luck

Answer 2

It definitely sounds like some sort of mold.

I would contact your landlord asap and have them get someone out to check this.

Mold spores can be harmful.

:-)

Answer 3

Are you using wire wool in cleaning your bathroom? if so it may be rust spots from the wire wool fragments. Hope you find the answer

Answer 4

It sounds like theres a water leak, maybe in the wall that you cant detect. I wouldn't bother asking the landlord to fix it, he probably already knows. Get another place. I'm sure the landlord will release you from your lease, if you have one. You can always threaten him with a report to the board of health, they will shut down the whole building. Get you security deposit back if you had to pay one.

Answer 5

Essential oil of oregano, which can be obtained at any health food store, has fungicidal properties that work well as a household cleaning agent.  I found it useful in an apartment that had orange mold in the bathroom and black mold in the carpet (I thought it was motor oil at first).  Add about 10 to 13 drops of oil to a 32 oz spray bottle of water.  Add some cleaner to make the oil dispurse in the water (I like Fabuloso).  I also added about a teaspoon of TSP.  By the time I moved out (yes, I had to break my lease and it was costly), the apartment was CLEAN.  No mold was growing back.  Cleaning the mold from the carpet is another subject, but same result.

Answer 6

get a de-humidifier which will take moisture out of the air in your bathroom and starve the mold, in the mean time place a bowl of table salt in the room which will do the same job, open windows daily and make sure all  male users of the toilet have a good aim as the ammonia in urine drives the rust  wild from the fixtures and fittings on the toilet. is there an extractor fan in your bathroom?if not get on to the land lordp.   P.S. Hygeine , keep it clean

Answer 7

I think you have a mold, and would definitely call your landlord.

Bleach, might help.

Answer 8

It sounds like a moisture. I had the same problem, keep the window open as long as possible to ventilate the room. You may need to install a vent in the ceiling, you can get them with lights and heating lamps as well. This worked for me. Shower with the fan on too.