Is the Pink Stuff in My Shower Mold?

That pink or reddish slime in your shower, around the drain, in grout lines, or on the curtain, is almost certainly not mold. It is a very common airborne bacterium called Serratia marcescens that thrives on the soap scum, moisture, and mineral residue in bathrooms. It is generally harmless to healthy people, but you should still clean it. Here is what the pink stuff really is, how to get rid of it, and how to tell when you are actually dealing with mold.

What the Pink Stuff Actually Is

Serratia marcescens is a bacterium found naturally in the air and in damp environments. It loves bathrooms because it feeds on the fatty residues in soap and shampoo, and it produces a pink-to-orange pigment. Because it is airborne, it can appear in almost any bathroom, even clean ones, wherever moisture and soap residue collect. It is a bacterium, not a fungus, so technically it is not mold at all.

Is Pink Shower “Mold” Dangerous?

For most healthy people, the pink film is a nuisance rather than a serious health threat. That said, it is still bacteria, so you should clean it promptly, and people with weakened immune systems should be more cautious. Unlike some molds, it is not known for the allergy-and-respiratory pattern that indoor mold causes, but a consistently damp bathroom that grows pink film is also a bathroom that can grow real mold.

How to Clean Pink Shower Residue

1. Put on gloves and ventilate the bathroom.
2. Scrub the affected areas with a bathroom cleaner or a baking-soda paste; the goal is to remove the soap-scum food source, not just the color.
3. For grout and drains, a targeted scrub reaches where the film hides.
4. Rinse well and dry the surfaces.
5. Keep the shower dry between uses to slow regrowth.

How to Keep It From Coming Back

• Squeegee or wipe shower walls after use
• Run the exhaust fan during and after showers
• Fix any drips so surfaces are not constantly wet
• Clean regularly to remove the soap residue it feeds on
• Keep bathroom humidity down, see how to prevent mold

When It Is Actually Mold

If the growth is black, dark green, or fuzzy rather than pink and slimy, or if there is a strong musty smell, you may be dealing with real mold, not Serratia. Black mold in a shower often means a deeper moisture problem. Learn the difference in our guide Mold vs. Mildew, read about bathroom and shower mold removal, or, if you are concerned, see Is Black Mold Dangerous?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the pink stuff in my shower mold?

No. The pink slime is almost always a bacterium, Serratia marcescens, not mold. It feeds on soap residue in damp bathrooms and is generally harmless, though you should still clean it.

How do I get rid of pink shower residue for good?

Scrub away the soap-scum it feeds on, rinse and dry, then keep the shower dry and ventilated. Regular cleaning prevents it from returning.

When should I worry it is real mold?

If the growth is black, green, or fuzzy, or there is a musty smell, it may be true mold, which can point to a deeper moisture problem worth inspecting.