How to Remove Mold From Shower Caulking: 7 Proven Ways

Finding mold in your house can be traumatizing but the worst part about them is that the mold spores might be everywhere. One of the areas where you are likely to find spores from mold is on your shower caulk. This is because they thrive in areas that are moist and dry.

One of the reasons why mold spreads fast is the presence of a healthy diet and the failure to curb its multiplication. More tragedy awaits you if the spores get attached to the grout and caulk. Fortunately, you can get rid of the molds in several ways. This article will guide you on how to do it step by step.

How To Remove Mold From Shower Caulking

There are different methods that you can use to get rid of caulk. The products used are different and here is a discussion of each.

1. Use Vinegar To Clean Mold In Shower Caulk

Vinegar is very effective and the best to use to remove mold from shower caulk. This is because it has a mild acid that’s tough on mold and mildew. Among its main components are metals, especially silver. It is the best choice if you want to kill mold and mildew. Here are some of the things you will be required to have.

• A  spray bottle
• A pair of rubber gloves
• A scrubbing brush
• Sponge or cleaning cloth
• White vinegar as a caulk cleaner

Steps

• Pour the vinegar into the spray bottle
• Wear gloves and spray the shower caulk with the solution until it is damp. Let it sit for five minutes to allow the mold to loosen up then scrub with the brush.
• Use a sponge to wipe the area where you have removed the mold.

2. How To Remove Black Mold Using Vinegar and Baking Soda

If white vinegar didn’t help remove mold from your black caulk, you should try a combination of it and baking soda. The two react well and release the energy needed to clean your bathroom. Whether your bathroom surface is made of silicone caulk or whichever materials, you can trust vinegar and baking soda to effectively clean black mold.

Here are the items you need to get rid of the black caulk.

• Brush or scrub pad
• 3 cups of baking soda
• A spray bottle
• Rubber gloves
• Vinegar

Steps

• Pour vinegar into the spray bottle
• Mix baking soda and water to form a thick paste
• Apply the paste on moldy areas around the shower caulk
• Spray the vinegar on the paste and scrub until there is no more mold.
• Rinse the grout and tile and dry them.

3. Get Rid of Shower Mold Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide deals with any mold problem easily because it is antifungal. It works by attacking mold and eating it away and it’s best to use in your bathroom if vinegar isn’t effective. Here are the items you need to remove mold from your bathroom.

• Cleaning pad
• A pair of gloves
• 1 part hydrogen peroxide
• 2 parts water
• 1 spray bottle

Steps

• Mix hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle
• Spray the solution on the moldy areas and let it sit for some minutes
• Use the cleaning pad to scrub the place, rinse and dry with a cotton piece of clothing.

If you have replaced the grout in your tiles, some residue might have been left and you can use this solution to get rid of them.

Related Read: Here are some interesting farmhouse bathroom decor ideas

4. Use Bleach and Baking Soda To Remove Mold From Caulk

Mold and mildew can’t survive when you unleash a mixture of bleach and baking soda on them. The role of baking soda is to clean while the bleach disinfects and this makes the two the best in cleaning any resistant mold in your bathroom. It also ensures that mold will not grow on your surfaces. Below are the things you require

• A cup of bleach
• 2 cups of baking soda
• Paintbrush
• Rubber gloves
• Safety glasses
• Respirator
• Plastic wrap

Steps

• Pour the two cups of baking soda into a container
• Little by little add the bleach in drops to form a thick paste
• Apply the paste to all the surfaces that have moisture and grout
• Cover each spot that you have pasted with a plastic wrap
• Leave it for a few minutes and clean the dried paste off.

5. How To Use Borax as Caulk Cleaner

Compared to hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, borax is more effective. It is tough on black mold making it the best cleaning solution to use in your bathroom caulk. Here are the requirements.

• A gallon of water
• A pair of gloves
• A cup of Borax

Steps

• Mix borax and water in the spray bottle
• Spray the solution on mold and let it sit for some minutes
• No need for rinsing because the solution is perfect in preventing the growth of mold after the shower. This is the most effective method in removing black mold from the shower caulk.

6. How To Use Cotton Coils

This is another effective method of cleaning your caulk from mold, especially the resistant ones. The cotton coils help penetrate the solution to the source of the caulk. You start by soaking them in your cleaning solution and place them along the caulk side by side without squeezing.

You can use a sharp object to insert them in the holes. Allow them to rest for the night and remove them in the morning and use a sponge to scrub the caulk.

7. Replace The Caulk

This is one of the options that you have if all the above fail to work. Replacing the caulk will also give your caulk a new look. If you have tubs and tiles that are waterproof, you should purchase a caulk gun and another one that is suitable for the shower.

However, a caulk that is made from silicone is more long-lasting than a latex caulk. Soften the caulk by applying the remover gel for at least 20 minutes then scrape it off using a knife.

After that, stick some tapes on the tile’s edges and ensure you don’t expose the caulk. Then cut the caulk’s nozzle with a width big enough to cover the area that is exposed and apply the caulk.

What Causes Mold Growth

As mentioned earlier, mold can be hectic especially because it is not only toxic, but it smells and might spoil your wall or clothes.

On the other hand, it would be unfortunate to have black mold in your house because everyone will see it growing on the walls and that might embarrass you. If you don’t get rid of mold, it might end up affecting your health and that of your loved ones.

There are several causes of mold in a caulk, wall, or any surface. Here are the main causes.

• Food

This is the number one cause of mold in most homes. Fabrics, wood,  and drywalls are the main food that black mold feeds on. This explains why it grows in hidden areas.

It would be wise to establish the exact surfaces where mold grows and keep them free from moisture. You can call a professional home inspector to assess your home.

• Temperature

Although there are different types of mold, most of them also grow at different temperatures. For example, some molds will grow in cool temperatures while others will grow on very high ones.

However, you should pay much attention to the areas that are usually humid and warm, especially the bathrooms. Such areas have a high chance of being attacked by black caulk.

• Moisture

Mold takes very few hours to grow and therefore it would be wise if you purposely take care of moisture problems immediately. A damaged roof, condensation, flooded basement, unsealed windows are the main causes of mold. Be careful to take note of such causes.

Also read: How to clean shower doors easily

Important Tips On How You Can Prevent Growth Of Mold

Molds are not something that should be taken lightly. The toxic effect in them is harmful to your health. It is said that prevention is better than cure and thats why you should be intentional about preventing black mold or any other type of mold from growing in your home.

Are you wondering how you can go about that? Here are tips that will ensure your caulk, bathroom, or other areas are free from mold.

• Use Household Fan

Fans are common equipment in most homes and they play a great role in ensuring your house is free from moisture or smoke.

A good example is when you are boiling some water and the water vapor spreads to your kitchen walls. If you don’t do something the vapor will not only cause the growth of mold but will also increase humidity. However, you can prevent that from happening with a fan.

• Keep The Windows Open

When the vapor is held in the air, it will settle on your doors or windows and walls. This will increase the chances of mold growth in your home. However, you can prevent this by keeping the windows open to get rid of the vapor quickly.

This will ensure there is enough air circulation and also the regulation of humidity in the house. In case it’s winter time and you don’t want to expose your family to cold, standing or ceiling fans might come in handy in curbing the vapor and humidity.

• Check Outdoor Drainage

This is another great tip when it comes to the prevention of mold. If your home is located along a water path, you might have problems with mold.

This is because there will be a leakage of moisture into your home’s foundation and it will find its way into your house. Have you ever noted how molds stubbornly grow on basements? This is one of the main reasons.

• Use Mold Resistant Products

Mold-resistant products are great tricks to use if your home is new or it’s under renovation. You can use mold-resistant products such as Sheetrock or mold-resistant drywall. The products should be fixed on areas that are prone to moisture like the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room.

• Dry The Areas That Are Wet

As mentioned above, mold thrives in areas that have moisture. This is why you should keep the areas within your home dry. A pipe that is leaking behind your house or a wet carpet might be the reason why mold will invade your home.

The only way to avoid this menace is by drying all areas especially before 24 hours are over. Another thing that you should do is to avoid keeping bathing towels or wet clothes out for long. You will do a very tough job of cleaning them if they are infested with mold.

Conclusion

Cleaning mildew from your shower tiles is not interesting but it is better than having to wait until the black mold is fully formed and risk your family’s health.

This article has discussed how to remove mold from shower caulking and you must be enlightened. You also know how to prevent mold from growing in your home.