Credits: Social Media
That ‘pink slime’ in your bathroom isn’t soap, it’s something far worse
Have you ever wondered what that pink slime is that gathers in the bathroom, usually around the taps, bath and plughole? It’s just soap, right? Wrong!
Many wrongly assume this pink gunk is excess soap or shampoo that’s gathered after washing, but a doctor has revealed it’s actually something far worse.
That pink slime in your bathroom isn’t soap
Speaking on TikTok, Dr Karan Rajan explained that the pink slime is a buildup of a bacteria called Serratia marcescens which loves damp, moist conditions. Yuck!
It eats the fatty deposits which are left on your bath by shampoo and soap residue grows on tile grout, shower corners, toilet water lines, and basins.
The bacteria manifests as a pink, pink-orange, or orange discoloration with a slimy film and is very difficult to remove.
Many people are only just discovering what the slime is, with one person writing: “I thought it was from soap.”
“I thought it was result of hard water,” said another.
A third person added: “I thought the pink stuff was calcium deposits.”
“Cleaning my bathroom right now after watching this,” someone else said.
Is the bacteria dangerous?
To most people, the bacteria is harmless and won’t cause any problems, but it is a pathogen that can spread infections.
Particularly, it can be responsible for gut, urine and chest infections in those who have a weakened immune system.
The doctor advised everyone to avoid getting the pink slime in their eyes or open wounds to avoid getting unwell.
More concerningly, if your bathroom is damp enough for this bacteria to consistently appear, mold can then grow in the same location.
Exposure to a large number of mold spores can cause allergic symptoms including respiratory issues, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching and coughing, Cleveland Clinic explains.
How to stop bathroom bacteria and mold
To stop this pink slime, and also mold, from appearing in your bathroom, you should:
- Keep your bath and shower dry
- Keep your bath and shower well ventilated
- Put on a fan or open a window after showering
- Regularly clean and disinfect your bathroom
To properly clean your bathroom and remove the pink slime, the doctor recommends using hydrogen peroxide (bleach) or vinegar.
Here are some 10 bizarre cleaning hacks you’ve never heard of, like washing the toilet with Coca-Cola.
Dr Karan Rajan is a UK-based NHS surgeon who shares his health expertise with more than 5.3 million followers on TikTok. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at Imperial College London and the University of Sunderland.
