I hear you on the airflow—sometimes those old windows just don’t cooperate, but even propping them a crack helps a ton. I’ll admit, I’m guilty of the quick tile wipe-down when I’m short on time, but you’re right, it only goes so far. Re-grouting is a pain, though I’ve found using a grout pen between deep cleans keeps things looking fresh without a full redo. It’s not perfect, but it buys some time before the next big project.
I hear you on the grout pen—those things are lifesavers when you just want the bathroom to look decent without tearing everything apart. I’ll admit, I tried to shortcut re-grouting once by just hitting the worst spots with a bleach pen… didn’t last long, but it bought me a week or two. Honestly, the only thing that’s really worked for me is keeping a cheap squeegee in the shower and giving the tiles a quick swipe after every use. Not glamorous, but it keeps the gunk from building up in the first place.
Funny you mention the squeegee trick—I started putting one in every rental bathroom after a tenant swore by it. Cuts down on cleaning costs and complaints, for sure. Ever tried one of those vent fans with timers? I wonder if they’re worth the install for older places...
- That’s a smart move with the squeegees—honestly, I never realized how much difference they make until I actually started using one myself.
- About the vent fans with timers:
- Pros:
- They’re great for making sure people actually run the fan long enough.
- Less moisture hanging around = less mold, in theory.
- Some models are pretty quiet, which is a plus.
- Cons:
- Install can get tricky in older places, especially if wiring’s a mess.
- Not cheap, and if your tenants already ignore the fan, a timer might not change much.
- I’ve heard of a few cases where timers annoyed people—like, if it keeps running after they leave and they think it’s wasting electricity.
- If you’re already seeing fewer complaints with the squeegee trick, maybe hold off on the fan upgrade unless you’re renovating anyway?
- I’m still debating if I should bother in my own place. The bathroom window does a decent job, but I guess that only works if people remember to open it...
- Either way, you’re definitely on the right track. Mold is such a pain to deal with after the fact.
Timers on vent fans are one of those things that sound great in theory, but in practice... yeah, it can get dicey, especially in older houses. I tried to put one in my upstairs bath a couple years back and the wiring was a total headache—ended up just sticking with the old pull chain for now. Honestly, I don’t mind the noise because at least I know it’s working, but I get why some folks want the quieter models.
Funny thing about the squeegee trick—I used to roll my eyes when people suggested it, but now I’m a convert. Takes maybe 30 seconds after a shower and you can really tell the difference. Less gunk on the tiles, too. I wish I’d started sooner.
I’ve got one of those old-school casement windows in the bathroom, and it does a decent job if I remember to crack it open. Trouble is, in the winter, nobody wants to let in that cold air. Do you think the window is enough, or is it worth biting the bullet and upgrading the fan? I keep going back and forth. I’m also curious if anyone’s tried those moisture-absorbing crystals or the little dehumidifier tubs—are they actually useful or just a waste of money?
Mold is such a pain once it gets a foothold. I had to rip out a bunch of plaster years ago because of a slow leak behind the wall. Still gives me nightmares. Prevention is way easier than dealing with the aftermath, that’s for sure.
