What does black mold look like in bathroom

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How do I know if I have black mold in my bathroom?
Is black mold in the bathroom toxic?
How can you tell the difference between black mold and mildew?
What to do if you find black mold in your bathroom?

Having black mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, in your home is a terrifying thought for many Americans.

Due to somewhat exaggerated reporting about black mold by the media, many people think black mold is more dangerous than it actually is.

Based on the level of current research on S. chartarum, black mold is no more dangerous than other types of indoor mold.

Nevertheless, it’s still a good idea to familiarize yourself with what black mold looks like — in case you ever encounter it in your home after a leak or water damage.

What Is Stachybotrys Chartarum (a.k.a. “Black Mold”)?

Stachybotrys chartarum (S. chartarum) is a relatively uncommon, slow-growing, greenish-black species of mold that occasionally invades damp or water-damaged buildings.

For a mycologist looking under a microscope, this species can be identified by its characteristic phialides and conidia. But for the average person, S. chartarum is nearly impossible to differentiate from other species of black-colored mold.

Colloquially, Stachybotrys chartarum is often called “black mold” or “toxic mold.” The name “black mold” refers to its color, which many people believe is unique to S. chartarum. However, this is not the case — there are many species of mold that can be black in appearance but are not S. chartarum.

But for simplicity, we’ll refer to S. chartarum as “black mold” in the rest of this article.

What Does Black Mold Typically Look Like?

Black or greenish-black color
Shiny, slimy texture when wet
Sooty, powdery texture when dry
Tends to form patches of irregular circles
Grows on surfaces with high cellulose content (e.g. wood, ceiling tile, drywall, wallpaper, etc.)

Black mold is known for its characteristic black hue after reaching maturity. However, the color black isn’t unique to Stachybotrys — people often confuse it with similar-colored molds like Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Dreeschslera.

In earlier stages, black mold may appear more greenish-grey or greenish-black in color with fuzzy white edges.

The texture of black mold is shiny and slimy when it’s wet. This is usually the case because black mold requires a lot of moisture to grow and thrive. If the original source of moisture is eliminated (e.g. leak fixed, flooding cleaned up, etc.), the texture of black mold may appear more sooty and powdery.

Black mold can also have a powdery surface texture during sporulation — when it’s forming spores.

Lastly, if you’re trying to identify black mold at home, look for dark patches of irregularly shaped circles. Although this type of growth pattern isn’t a telltale feature of black mold, it can help narrow down the suspects.

Black mold also tends to grow on surfaces with high cellulose content, such as wood, paper, cardboard, ceiling tile, drywall, and wallpaper. It does not grow on nonporous surfaces like plastic, vinyl, or ceramic tiles.

Pictures of Black Mold (Stachybotrys Chartarum)

Closeup Images of Black Mold

Black Mold on Walls

Black Mold on Wood

Black Mold on Ceilings

Black Mold in Bathrooms

Is Black Mold in Your Home Dangerous?

The other common name for Stachybotrys chartarum, “toxic mold,” comes from the belief that this species of mold is particularly dangerous to human health.

That’s because black mold produces chemicals called mycotoxins, which can cause nonspecific health symptoms associated with sick building syndrome. It has also been suspected of causing idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage among infants although this has not been scientifically proven.

Aside from possible toxicity, black mold (or any indoor mold for that matter) produces spores that can cause upper respiratory reactions resembling allergies or asthma.

For this reason, the CDC considers all types of indoor mold to be hazardous and recommends prompt and safe removal.

Certified Mold Specialists in NYC

Green Orchard Group is a leading environmental health & safety services firm based in New York City.

Our team of certified mold inspection and remediation specialists are seasoned experts at identifying, cleaning, and safely removing any type or amount of mold.

Our service area covers all 5 boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island) as well as parts of New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Greater Tri-State Area.

If you have concerns about black mold — or any mold — in your home, feel free to drop us a line! We’re happy to answer questions, give advice, or provide recommendations.

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How do I know if I have black mold in my bathroom?

Black mold, as the name implies, is often dark in color. When searching for black mold, look for circular-shaped spots that are black, dark green or dark brown. Some black mold can also take on shades of orange or have flecks of white within it. Most of the time, black mold has a slightly furry appearance.

Is black mold in the bathroom toxic?

Prolonged exposure to black mold spores may even lead to the development of asthma or other respiratory issues, bleeding in the lungs and nasal passages, swelling of the lungs and other serious issues. The list of health issues that black mold can cause is extensive and slightly frightening.

How can you tell the difference between black mold and mildew?

Mildew is typically a gray, white, or light brown color and rests on the surface of a moist area. It has a powdery appearance and may be accompanied by a foul odor. Mold is usually black or green and has a fuzzy appearance and a distinctly musty smell.

What to do if you find black mold in your bathroom?

Combine 1 part bleach with 2 parts water in a spray bottle and spritz the affected area. Let the solution sit for 10 minutes. The mold should start to fade away on its own, but if areas of stubborn mold remain, use a coarse brush (for larger areas) or old toothbrush (for smaller areas) to scrub the mold away.