Had a similar issue in an older place—thought I was good with a solid fan and regular cleaning, but mold kept popping up. Turned out it wasn't ventilation, but tiny cracks in the grout letting water seep behind the tiles. Ended up having to re-grout the whole shower (ugh, messy job). Definitely recommend checking grout regularly, especially around corners and seams—catching it early saves a ton of hassle later on.
Good call on the grout—I learned that lesson the hard way too. But honestly, after re-grouting once, I swore never again (my knees still haven't forgiven me...). Now I just keep a cheap squeegee in the shower and swipe down the tiles after every use. Takes literally 30 seconds, and mold hasn't dared show its face since. Lazy hack approved, haha. Still, you're right—checking grout occasionally is smart, even if it's a pain.
Totally agree on the squeegee trick—been doing it for years and it's a lifesaver. Another thing that helps is running the exhaust fan longer after showers. Mold loves moisture, so drying things out quickly makes a huge difference. Honestly though, if you're dealing with constant mold issues, it might be worth checking your bathroom ventilation overall. I had a rental property where tenants kept complaining about mold, and turns out the fan was barely working... replaced it and problem solved.
The exhaust fan definitely helps, but honestly, in my old house (built in the 1920s), ventilation alone just wasn't enough. Even with a new fan running extra long, mold kept creeping back. Turns out older homes often have colder exterior walls, so condensation builds up more easily. Ended up insulating the walls better and adding a small heater—made way more difference than the fan upgrade alone. Just something to consider if anyone else is dealing with an older place...
Totally feel you on the older house struggle. My first apartment was this charming 1930s place—beautiful crown molding, original tile, and...constant mold battles. I swear, no matter how long that fan ran, the bathroom walls were always damp. Eventually, I realized the grout was ancient and porous, basically a mold magnet. Regrouting with modern waterproof stuff helped a ton. Not exactly a lazy hack (my arms still ache thinking about it), but definitely worth it in the long run.
