Search
Trusted South Florida Licensed Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical Experts Since 1983!
EMERGENCY HOTLINE 1-800-475-1504
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday 8am – 7pm

Why Is There Pink Slime In My Bathroom And Kitchen

home water treatment
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ever wonder what that pink colored residue is in the bathroom? We have the answers and a solution! The pink slime or residue is often referred to as Serratia marcescens. Serratia marcescens is an airborne bacterium or mold that grows on shower stalls, bathtubs, tiles, toilets, sinks, toothbrush holders, and can sometimes be seen on kitchen faucets.

Homes that are in new construction areas or are undergoing renovations can stir up dust and other airborne particles containing the bacteria. The bacteria can also come from simply opening doors and windows, which allow the particles into the home where they land on wet surfaces and water faucets and begin multiplying into the gooey pink slime you have seen in your bathroom or kitchen.

How To Get Rid Of That Persistent Pink Residue

The easiest way to get rid of the reddish-pink residue is to rinse the area, apply a disinfectant, scrub the area, rinse again, and keep the area dry. Another method is to treat the water coming in to your home with a water filtration system.

Clean, Disinfect & Dry

There are many disinfectant products on the market that you can use however using white vinegar and warm water, along with some dish soap will also work. Spray the area with the solution, wait for fifteen minutes, scrub the area with a soft bristle brush and then rise off the area. Alternatively, you can use an after-shower spray to get rid of soap and shampoo residue where the bacterium is commonly found. After all, “The key is to let the product sit for long enough for it to effectively kill the bacteria,” says Melissa Maker, owner of Clean My Space. Remember to make sure the area is dry once you have cleaned it. Keeping the area dry will prevent the bacteria from spreading or coming back.

Ventilate

As Melissa states, “The growth of the bacteria in the bathroom can happen fairly fast because it is airborne, so despite how much you clean, its presence in the air is the issue to contend with… it’s not so much a clean-to-get-rid-of issue, it’s a clean to manage issue.”She recommends that you make sure that during and after the shower that the room is properly ventilated for at least 30 minutes. If your bathroom has little to no natural ventilation you might want to look at installing an indoor air quality system to remove the contaminants from the air circulating through your home. There are variety of systems, including air cleaners and air purifiers.

Wash The Shower Curtains

If you’re dealing with this pink colored residue or bacteria on you shower curtains, make sure you wash the curtains through a washing machine, preferably on a gentle wash with warm water. Again, make sure the curtains are completely dry before hanging them back up.

Home Water Treatment

Another way to stop the spread or prevent the pink slime is by installing or updating your home water filtration system. Filtering water can remove particles that may contain Serratia marcescens. Water filtration systems can help filter the chlorine so that the “pink stuff” won’t be on sinks.

Banish pink slime from your home today! At Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric we have a host of water filtration solutions that will suit your needs. Give us a call at 1-800-475-1504 to discuss the different options available such as our Municipal Water or Well Water Treatment, which are both effective in combating the Serratia marcescens bacterium in your water.

SHARE ON

art plumbing, ac and electric

Schedule a Service Call

For Immediate Emergency Assistance Call 1-800-475-1504

Schedule Service