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Published December 20th, 2025
The Short Answer: Why Is Mildew Growing in Winter?
It seems counterintuitive. Mold loves heat and humidity, so why are you seeing it in January? The answer is condensation. In Virginia Beach, when your warm, heated indoor air hits a cold surface (like a glass window or an exterior wall), it releases moisture.
Because we keep our homes sealed tight against the cold, this moisture gets trapped. Without proper airflow, this dampness creates the perfect breeding ground for mildew and "pink slime" on window sills and bathroom grout.
The Danger Zones: Where to Look
Winter mildew doesn't grow everywhere; it attacks specific "cold spots" in your home.
- "Sweaty" Windows in Little Neck: Older homes with single-pane windows often suffer from "thermal bridging," where the glass gets freezing cold. This causes water to bead up and drip down, leading to black mold growth on the wooden sills.
- Bathrooms in Shore Drive Condos: If you live near the water, humidity is already high. If you take a hot shower with the door closed and the fan off, that steam has nowhere to go but into your tile grout.
- Exterior Walls in Chesapeake: Check behind furniture that is pushed up against exterior walls. The lack of airflow can cause mold to grow on the drywall behind sofas and dressers.
3 Steps to Stop the Spread
You can fight back against winter mildew with a few simple changes to your routine.
1. Master Your Airflow
The enemy of mold is moving air.
- Run the Fan: Keep your bathroom exhaust fan running for at least 20 minutes after you finish your shower.
- Open the Curtains: Don't leave heavy drapes closed all day. They trap cold air and moisture against the window. Open them to let the heat of the room dry out the glass.
2. The Squeegee Method
Prevention is easier than scrubbing. Keep a small squeegee in the shower. Taking 30 seconds to wipe down the glass doors and tile walls after a shower removes 90% of the moisture that mold needs to survive.
3. Bleach is Not Always the Answer
For porous surfaces like drywall or wood window sills, bleach often just bleaches the color of the mold without killing the root.
Use Vinegar: For surface mold, white distilled vinegar is often more effective at penetrating and killing the spores.
Use a Pro Grout Cleaner: For tile, you need an alkaline cleaner that can lift the bio-film off the grout lines.
When to Call the Pros
If you are scrubbing your shower every week and the pink slime keeps coming back instantly, it means there is a deep layer of "bio-film" (soap scum and body oils) that is feeding the bacteria. A professional deep clean removes this food source completely.
Contact Gleam & Glisten Cleaning LLC today at 631-805-5454 for a free, no-obligation estimate. Let us help you keep your home healthy and mold-free this winter!
Frequently Asked Questions about Winter Mildew
Q: How do I clean black mold off my window sills? A: First, dry the area completely. Then, spray with a solution of white vinegar or a dedicated mold remover. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush. Wipe clean and, most importantly, ensure the area stays dry going forward.
Q: Is the "pink slime" in my shower dangerous? A: That pink substance is actually a bacteria called Serratia marcescens, not mold. While generally not dangerous to healthy adults, it can cause infections in open wounds or for those with compromised immune systems. It feeds on fatty soaps, so deep cleaning is the only way to starve it out.
Q: Why do I have condensation on the inside of my windows? A: This means your indoor humidity is too high relative to the outdoor temperature. Try running a dehumidifier or simply running your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans more often to pull moisture out of the house.
Q: Is the "pink slime" in my shower dangerous? A: That pink substance is actually a bacteria called Serratia marcescens, not mold. While generally not dangerous to healthy adults, it can cause infections in open wounds or for those with compromised immune systems. It feeds on fatty soaps, so deep cleaning is the only way to starve it out.
Q: Why do I have condensation on the inside of my windows? A: This means your indoor humidity is too high relative to the outdoor temperature. Try running a dehumidifier or simply running your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans more often to pull moisture out of the house.