Reasons for That Pink Ring in Your Bathtub or Toilet

Have you ever looked down while showering or opening the toilet lid and noticed a mysterious pink ring gracing the tub or toilet bowl? You might assume it’s mold — most people do — but this slimy residue is actually caused by a bacterium known as Serratia marcescens. This crafty microorganism can also appear in shades of orange and red, often thriving in toilets, showers, and tubs.

Why Does Bacteria Stain Your Tub or Toilet Pink?

Serratia marcescens thrives in warm, moist environments. Your shower or tub fits the bill nicely. The bacteria feed on the fatty substances found in soap and shampoo residue left behind after showering. They can even survive on the minerals in your toilet water. As the colony feeds and grows, it develops a pinkish pigment called prodigiosin, leading to unsightly stains.

How To Fix Pink Bathroom Stains

Are you ready to reclaim your sparkling clean bathroom? Follow these step-by-step instructions to remove the pink ring from your toilet, shower, or tub:

1. Gather your supplies: Arm yourself with a nylon-bristle scrub brush, rubber gloves, and protective eyewear. Then, decide on a cleaning agent — either a commercial bathroom and tile cleaner or a DIY mix of baking soda and dish soap. You’ll also need a spray bottle filled with equal parts bleach and warm water for disinfection.
2. Protect yourself: Don your rubber gloves and eyewear to avoid direct contact with the bacteria or cleaning products. Also, run the bathroom exhaust fan to remove fumes.
3. Prepare the cleaning solution: Grab your commercial cleaner and get ready. If you prefer a homemade remedy, mix half a cup of baking soda with a tablespoon of dish soap until it forms a paste.
4. Remove the shower curtain and liner: If these are affected, toss them in the washing machine with warm water and detergent. Air-dry plastic liners to prevent melting.
5. Scrub the tub, shower, or toilet: Spray your commercial cleaner onto the affected areas or rub on the baking soda and dish soap paste. Then, scrub the stains with your nylon brush, starting from the top and working your way down to catch any drips.
6. Rinse thoroughly: After scrubbing, rinse the surfaces with clean water to wash away loosened bacteria and cleaning products.
7. Disinfect: Spray the cleaned areas with the bleach solution and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to kill any lingering bacteria.
8. Final rinse and dry: Give everything a final rinse and let the surfaces dry thoroughly.

How To Prevent Tub & Toilet Rings From Returning

Now that you’ve banished the pink intruder, prevent it from coming back with these tips:

• Keep it dry: Wipe down surfaces with a towel or squeegee after showering to eliminate standing water. Unfortunately, you can’t do anything about the water in the toilet bowl.
• Ventilate: Run the exhaust fan while showering and for at least 20 minutes afterward. If your bathroom has a window, crack it when the weather allows.
• Clean regularly: Scrub your toilets weekly and deep-clean the shower or tub once a month. Regular scrubbing with antibacterial cleaning agents prevents bacteria from growing.
• Fix leaks promptly: Even slow drips create a hospitable environment for bacteria around the tub or shower drain. Address plumbing leaks as soon as they arise.

Why Choose Michael’s Plumbing Service?

A pink tub ring is just one thing that can go wrong in your bathroom. If you experience other plumbing challenges, turn to Michael’s Plumbing Service for help. We have proudly served the Nashville area since 2001. As a family-owned and -operated business, we understand the desire to maintain a clean, comfortable home. Our highly trained plumbers are courteous, knowledgeable, and committed to completing every job with honesty and integrity.

The next time you face bathroom plumbing concerns in Nashville or Springfield, schedule a visit from Michael’s Plumbing.