How to Remove Mold From Shower Caulk?

Is your bathroom caulk getting moldy, and are you looking for ways to remove mold from shower caulk?

Almost every home experience the issue of mold growth, especially the humid areas. As the bathroom is one of the humid places in a house, its chances of getting moldy are high. Usually, it attacks the shower caulking because it’s always wet.

Removing or replacing moldy caulk is difficult for homeowners. It will also require you to spend more; you can overcome this problem by killing the mold. In this article, we will discuss effective ways to clean your shower caulk.

Tools and Materials Required

Vinegar
Spray bottle
Toothbrush
Sponge
Tissue paper
Baking soda
Bowl
Borax
Chlorine Bleach
Bucket
Cotton balls
Hydrogen peroxide
Ammonia
Silicone caulking
Caulking gun
Tape
Towels or cloths
Utility knife

How to Get Mold Out of Shower Caulk?

Different methods are used to remove mold from showers. Some ingredients are so strong that they can clean black mold on shower caulk in seconds.

If the shower is not used frequently, you must dust it before starting the cleaning project. It will prevent dusty sludge during cleaning.

1. Remove Mold from Shower Caulk Using Vinegar

Vinegar is known as a universal cleaning agent due to the acetic acid in it. It cleans the visible mold and kills the invisible germs and microbes that cause mold growth. Vinegar can kill 80% of the mold types. Furthermore, it is safe to use and environmentally friendly.

Two varieties of vinegar are available in the market; cleaning-grade and food-grade. Cleaning grade one is cheaper than food grade, so you must purchase the cheaper one for cleaning purposes.

If you don’t want to go to the market and edible vinegar is present at your home, you can also use that.

Take one cup of vinegar and pour it into the spray bottle. You can increase this amount depending on the size of the mold area.
Use the spray on the affected area. You can use tissue paper to allow the vinegar to sit on the area longer. Roll a piece of tissue paper, place it on the caulk, and use the spray again. Now leave it for one hour.
Use a small toothbrush to scrub the area.
After scrubbing the caulking, rinse the area with warm water and examine it carefully to see if any residue is left behind.
If some residues are left, repeat the steps to make the area perfectly clean.

2. Using Baking Soda to Clean Caulk in Shower

Baking soda or Bicarbonate of soda is also known as a universal and inexpensive cleaning agent. It is a cleaner that is accessible in every home easily. There are two ways to use it; dissolving it in water or making its paste.

Like vinegar, two varieties of baking soda are available on the market; food-grade baking soda and cleaning-grade baking soda. And you should select cleaning-grade due to its low price, but you can use food-grade one also.

It removes the mold by absorbing moisture and can be used on mild to medium stains.

Take a bowl and pour one cup of baking soda into it. Now keep pouring water and keep mixing it to make a paste. You can use vinegar instead of water to make it more powerful.
Use a toothbrush to apply it onto the caulking and leave it there for 30 minutes. Make sure you have applied the paste to all the affected areas.
Scrub the stained areas thoroughly using the toothbrush.
Use a sponge to remove the cleaner from a small space. If you think the mold has gone, rinse the area with warm water.
If there are still residues of mold left, repeat the whole process.

3. Using Borax as Bathroom Mold Removal

Baking soda and borax are similar, but borax is more powerful. You can purchase it from any hardware shop because it is unavailable in supermarkets.

Make a paste of borax using water.
You can make a solution of water and borax and pour it into a spray bottle.
Apply it to the affected areas and leave it for a while before moving to the next step.
Now, scrub it thoroughly using a small toothbrush.
Rinse and repeat if needed.

4. Using Chlorine Bleach to Remove Mold in Caulking

If the mold has become so stubborn that it does not go with any of the above methods, you can use chlorine bleach. Be careful because it contains harsh chemicals which can damage your tiles or caulk.

Read the manufacturer’s instructions on its label and follow the steps before using it. Before using it, ensure the windows are open and your bathroom’s ventilation system is good.

Take a bucket and pour one-gallon water into it. Now mix one cup of bleach into it.
Apply it to the affected areas and spread it using a sponge on all the areas. You must wear gloves before this step.
Some caulk areas are hard-to-reach; you can use cotton balls to clean them. Soak cotton balls in the solution, wring them slightly, and put them in the corners or inaccessible spaces.
Leave the solution on the caulk for 30 minutes.
Now use a toothbrush to scrub it.
Rinse the area with clean water.
If required, you can repeat the steps.

5. Using Hydrogen Peroxide to Remove Mold from Shower Caulk

Hydrogen peroxide is also effective in cleaning mold from caulking. It is also used in hair dye products.

Wear protective gloves before starting the process.
Mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide in a gallon of water and make a solution.
Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and apply it to the affected areas.
You can use cotton balls soaked with this solution to clean hard-to-reach spaces.
Leave the solution for 30 minutes.
Take a toothbrush and scrub the area.
Now rinse off with clean water.
Examine the area well; you can apply it again if required.

6. Using Ammonia to Remove Mold from Shower Caulk

Ammonia is more powerful than chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide. So, it can remove the hardest mold in minutes. But it would be best to be careful because it can cause eye and skin irritation and produce powerful fumes.

Open the windows to allow the air to flow through the space.

First of all, turn on the exhaust fan of the bathroom for proper ventilation of the area.
This cleaner is full of harsh chemicals and very dangerous to health, so wearing a mask, goggles, and gloves is important before starting the process.
Pour ammonia into a spray bottle.
Leave it on the caulking for at least 10 minutes.
Give the caulk a good scrub using a small toothbrush or any other brush.
Use warm water to rinse the area.
Inspect the caulking; if mold is still present, you can repeat the steps.

7. Re-Caulking a Shower

If the mold damages the shower caulking too much, it’s better to replace it. Applying new caulking will bring a new life to your shower.

For this purpose, you will need a caulking gun and a caulk suitable for showers and bathtubs. It must be water-resistant. Latex caulks are less durable than silicone ones.

First, you have to take out the old caulking. A caulk removal gel is easily available in the market. You can purchase it and apply it to all the affected areas. Leave it for 20 minutes.
Now, remove the old caulking using a utility knife.
Clean the area thoroughly using a cloth or towel.
Place tapes around the edges of the tiles in such a way that only the caulk can be seen.
Ensure the tip of the gun nozzle is wide enough according to the width of the caulking. You can cut the tip as much as required.
Start applying the caulking and remove the excess using a cloth or towel.
Now remove the tape and let it dry.

Causes of Black Mold in Shower Caulk

The highly humid area has more chances of black mold growth. If the area has poor ventilation and the humidity level is more than 60%, the mold germs in the air will attach to the caulking or any humid thing, and their growth will increase.

The mold’s food is only soil, paper, cloth, or wood. Most of these things are present in the bathroom every time.

Black Mold Prevention Tips

After removing the mold successfully from your bathroom, you should follow some practices to prevent them from growing back. Some tips are given below:

Make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated. Air circulation throughout the area will keep the atmosphere dry, and the mold will not get a chance to grow again. After using the shower, turn on the exhaust fan. If you don’t have it, at least open the windows doors.
After keeping a proper ventilation system, if the area is still humid and the moisture level is very high and difficult to control, especially in basement bathrooms, you should purchase a dehumidifier.
To check the humidity level in your bathroom, you should purchase a humidity meter and install it. This way, you will know the moisture level, and you can take further steps to control it. Cheap options of humidity meters are also available in local stores.

Tips to Keep Mold Away – Practical and Functional

Here are some tips and tricks to clean a shower caulk and prevent mold from growing in it:

You should remove all the things that make the atmosphere of your bathroom wet. So, remove the wet towel from here as soon as possible after showering.
To keep the shower dry, wipe all the wall and floor tiles with a towel when you use them.
It would be best to clean your bathroom properly once a week to keep it mold-free. However, dry the area as soon as possible to prevent serious issues.
Another best way to lower mold growth is to apply mold-resistant caulking.

Best Shower Cleaners for Mold

Lysol Mold and Mildew Blaster with Bleach

Lysol Mold is a powerful cleaner that effectively cleans black mold from the shower. It kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria, removes soap scum, and makes your bathroom surfaces shiny.

Puracy Organic Home Care Set

This is a good option if you are looking for a natural and non-toxic cleaner. It will remove mold and fungus from the shower caulk and create a pleasant smell in the bathroom. This set is derived from a plant, so it is a good option for nature lovers.

Complete Mold Killer and Remover DIY Bundle

This cleaner is famous for its easy use, and you will not need to scrub the area. Apply the spray on the caulking and leave the area for a while.

Within a few seconds, the mold and bacteria will die. This feature is also present in RMR-86.

Force Field Scam Blaster Bundle

This cleaner is effective in killing the fungus and bacteria of black mold. Its performance is excellent on hard surfaces, so it’s an ideal solution for shower caulking.

Apply this spray to the affected area and wait for a few seconds. You will see a surprise within seconds. It will remove all the mold and leaves the area spotless. You can use this spray daily to prevent mold growth.

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

How to Clean Black Mold from Bathroom Caulking?

Apply 3% hydrogen peroxide spray on the caulk and let it sit for 10 minutes. Before rinsing the area, scrub the mold with a toothbrush.

How to Clean Mold from Silicone Caulking?

If the mold is stubborn, you can use chlorine bleach. Place cotton balls on the corners and other hard-to-reach spaces of the caulk and pour chlorine bleach on it. Use a small toothbrush to scrub the mold.

Can You Remove Mold from the Caulk?

Vinegar is a powerful cleanser that can remove mold from caulk safely.

How to Take out Black Mold from Shower Silicone Sealant?

Baking soda is a powerful cleaning agent easily available in every home. Take some baking soda in a bowl and make its paste by pouring a little water into it. Use the paste on the moldy areas; before scrubbing, wait for 30 minutes.

Why Does the Silicone of the Shower Caulking Turn Black?

The shower caulking turns black due to the growth of black mold. It grows in humid areas with low ventilation.

Final Thoughts

The mold bacteria are present in the air, but when they find moisture, they are attracted to it. So it is necessary to keep the bathroom area dry.

Although it is difficult to keep this space dry, you can keep it well-ventilated by turning on the exhaust fan or opening the windows after every shower. Take out wet towels or anything that makes the area wet after use.

Clean the bathroom weekly with safe, natural cleaners to remove mold growth on shower caulk. If you clean it after a long time, the mold will become stubborn, and you will need to use harsh chemicals to remove it, which is unsafe.