Mold and mildew growth on the caulking in the shower is an unpleasant sight. If your shower caulking is getting moldy, then this is not something uncommon. This happens with shower caulking if left without proper care. You need to remember that mold spores are present everywhere and at all times. When given moisture and food, they do multiply at a quick pace. This can aggravate the problem further. So you need to take proper care in the initial phase itself when they start to appear. This can prevent the damages to the walls supporting shower tile and caulking. So in this article we will see what causes these molds in shower caulks and how we can get them cleaned. Some preventive steps to tackle mold growth in shower caulking are also mentioned.
Table of Contents
What Causes Molds In Shower Caulks?
The black mold in shower caulk is actually caused by fungal growth. The mold spores are formed and carried in the air. When they drop onto suitable surfaces, this causes them to grow and multiply. What it prefers is the warm, humid environments with cellulose as the preferred food. Low light conditions and presence of oxygen are other favourable conditions. The bathroom environment with the moisture, humidity and the condensation activities involved forms the breeding ground for mold growth. All these factors when involved in the right proportions can accelerate the mold growth. Also, even if small parts of the mold are left behind without getting cleaned, this will regenerate quickly leading to subsequent mold growths. Hence you need to clean off the mold growth in the initial phase itself, that too thoroughly. Though difficult, you need to ensure that no mold is left the shower caulking, even the parts that may be invisible.
Removing Mold From Shower Caulking
We have seen the cause of the growth these black moulds and the need to get them cleaned. So in this article we will see some of the best simple, straightforward solutions to achieve mold removal from shower calking. These methods require minimum effort and time. Also, they are cost effective. You can try any of these methods. If you are running out of time or if you think that the task is burdening, you can also hire some professional, set back and let them get the shower caulk clean of these annoying black molds. They can act in the most effective and productive way to tackle the situation with caution.
Precautions
Before proceeding with the methods of mold removal, let us see what all safety precautions you need to follow for a mess free eradication task.
- Wear your gloves so as to ensure that your hands are kept clean.
- Put on your mask so as to protect yourself from harmful fumes.
- Ensure proper ventilation so that harmful fumes can escape.
Removing Mold From Shower Caulk Using Vinegar
Let us start off with methods that are not harmful to the environment. Vinegar will be readily available in most households. It is not only a kitchen ingredient but also serves the purpose of a universal cleaning agent. Chemically acetic acid, it is found to be effective against most mold varieties and hence proved to be a deadly enemy of molds. This method works well in case of mild to medium mold growth. Vinegar is found to be effective against the visible black mold and also other invisible spores and microbes ensuring the prevention of subsequent black mold growth. Now white vinegar of cleaning grade will best serve the purpose, but you can also food grade vinegar like cider vinegar which is also found to work quite well. The method involving the use of vinegar is found to be quick as well as easy to apply.
Things you need:
- Vinegar
- Spray dispenser
- Scrubbing Brush
- Sponge or wet cloth
Steps Involved in Removing Mold from Shower Caulk using Vinegar
- Take Vinegar into the spray dispenser as per the requirement based on the area to be cleaned.
- Now you need to spray the vinegar on to the mold affected area and leave it to act for sometime. You can wait for about half an hour or more. It is during this time that the vinegar solution will act up on the mold, removing it.
- After sometime, you can make use of a scrubbing brush like an old toothbrush to gently scrub the mold affected shower caulking to remove the black mold with ease.
- You can make use of a wet cloth or sponge and warm water to wipe off the area and inspect if the method has worked.
- If you see bit more of mold remaining, you can repeat the above mentioned steps once or twice till you achieve the desired results and make sure that the shower caulking is cleaned off the mold growth.
Removing Mold from Shower Caulk using Baking Soda
Another cost effective method that is not harsh on the environment is the use of baking soda. Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda will also be readily available in most households. Baking soda also serves as a universal cleansing agent. Now cleaning grade baking soda is much cheaper than food grade baking soda. However, both can be used to serve the purpose of mold removal. This method is also found to more effective against mild and medium mold growth as is the case with vinegar. With the use of bicarbonate of soda, there is an additional benefit as it will also help in the extraction of moisture from the shower caulk which can further safeguard the caulk against mold attack.
Things you need:
- Baking Soda
- Mixing Cup
- Old spoon
- Old toothbrush
- Sponge or wet cloth
Steps Involved in Removing Mold from Shower Caulking using Baking Soda
- At first, you need to make a paste of baking soda and water. You can use baking soda and water in the ratio 1:1 which will be pretty effective cleansing agent. Empty the contents into a cup and mix it well.
- Now you need to apply the paste to the mold affected area and leave it to work for sometime. You can use an old spoon to apply the mixture to the area under consideration and wait for half an hour or more. It is during this time that the mixture will act upon the mold and get it released from the area.
- After sometime, you can scrub off the area with an old toothbrush, which will further clean up the surface.
- You can use a wet cloth or a sponge and warm water to wipe off the area and inspect if the method has worked in removing the black mold.
- If some mold is still left with, you can remove that too by repeating the above mentioned steps once or twice till you achieve the required results.
You can also replace the use of paste with a solution of baking soda in water and pour it in a spray bottle, spray it on the mold affected area in the shower caulk and get it cleaned as in the method mentioned below. You can also use vinegar instead of water for making the spray solution or paste and carry out the remaining steps as mentioned above. Use of a combination of vinegar and baking soda will indeed work as a better black mold removal option.
Removing Mold from Shower Caulk using Borax
Borax is a natural fungicide, which is found to be more potent. This white mineral powder can kill the molds in your shower caulking effectively. The method will work better than vinegar and baking soda. You get borax form hardware stores.
Things you need:
- Borax
- Bucket
- Spray bottle
- Scrub Brush
- Sponge or wet cloth
Steps Involved in Removing Mold from Shower Caulk using Borax
- Mix about 1 cup of borax with 1 gallon of warm water in a bucket.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle as per need.
- You need to spray this solution on to the affected area. Leave it to act for some time. You can wait for about half an hour or more.
- Scrub off the area with a scrub brush like an old toothbrush, which will further release the mold from the shower caulking.
- Now use a wet cloth or a sponge and warm water to wipe off the area and inspect if the method has worked in dislodging the black mold.
- If some mold is still left with, you can remove that too by repeating the above mentioned steps once or twice till you achieve the required results.
- You can use the remaining solution to clean other parts of the bathroom.
Removing Mold from Shower Caulk using Bleach
Chlorine bleach is a more heavy-duty cleaning agent. The chemical is found to be more effective on more extensive mold growth. Now, before you proceed, ensure to wear gloves and put on goggles. You also need to make sure that the bathroom is properly so that harmful fumes can escape. Open the window for this purpose. Never apply saturated bleach solution on to the area to be cleaned.
Things you need:
- Chlorine bleach
- Bucket
- Sponge
- Wet cloth
- Cotton balls/Tissue paper
- Scrub Brush
- Rubber gloves
- Goggles
Steps Involved in Removing Mold from Shower Caulking using Chlorine Bleach
- You can mix one cup of chlorine bleach in about a gallon of water in a bucket.
- You can dip a sponge in the bleach solution and wipe the mold affected areas in the shower caulking with this sponge. Leave it to act for some time so that the bleach solution will have its effect on the mold. You need to wait for about half an hour or more. You can also use cotton balls dipped in bleach solution or tissue paper dipped in bleach solution in place of sponge. In such cases, leave the cotton balls or the tissue paper sometime on the affected area so that the bleach acts on the area. Using cotton ball or tissue paper will prevent the chlorine bleach from vaporising.
- After waiting sometime, you can make use of an old toothbrush to scrub the area to remove the mold.
- You can now make use of a sponge or wet cloth and warm water to wipe off the affected area and inspect it to see if the method has indeed worked for you.
- You may repeat the steps once or twice if the mold is still present.
Removing Mold from Shower Caulks using Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is a type of bleach and it is commonly used to dye hair. However, it also works well as a cleaning agent. The method is found to be effective in removing stubborn molds. You can use hydrogen peroxide as a substitute to chlorine bleach. Follow precautions as mentioned in the previous case.
Things you need:
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Sponge
- Scrub Brush
- Sponge or wet cloth
Steps Involved in Removing Mold from Shower Caulks using Hydrogen Peroxide
- Take a sponge and wipe hydrogen peroxide directly on to the mold affected areas in the shower caulking.
- Leave it to act for some time, for about half an hour.
- You can scrub off the affected area with an old toothbrush and warm water.
- Now wipe off the area with a sponge or wet cloth. Inspect the area.
- Molds if still present can be removed by repeating the above steps once or twice as per requirement.
Removing Mold From Shower Caulking Using Ammonia
Now comes the most effective and potential cleaning agent among the ones mentioned in our list, Ammonia. This chemical is found to act tough against all sorts of molds. It is found to work in lesser time than all the other methods mentioned in the list. However this strong agent may cause skin and eye irritation as it gives off strong fumes.
You need to wear rubber gloves and put on goggles. Also try using a ventilator in place of mask as masks do not offer enough protection against the ammonia vapors. Ventilate the bathroom before applying ammonia. Also, turn on the bathroom exhaust fan. In the absence of exhaust fan you can make use of some other household fan.
Things you need:
- Ammonia
- Spray dispenser
- Old toothbrush
- Sponge
- Rubber gloves
- Goggles
- Respirator
Steps Involved in Removing Mold from Shower caulking using Ammonia
After following the necessary safety instructions, proceed by pouring the required amount of ammonia into a spray dispenser. You can take the quantity as per the area under consideration.
Spray ammonia into the affected area and leave it to work for sme time, sya about 15-20 minutes.
Now you can scrub off the mold from the shower caulking by making use of a scrub brush like an old toothbrush.
Wipe off the caulk with wet cloth or sponge and water and check the results.
You can repeat the process still you get the intended results.
Replacing the Caulk
This is the only option you are left with in case the mold growth is so stubborn. If you have tried all the above methods and still nothing worked for you, it is better to replace the shower caulking.
You need to look for waterproof caulks meant for shower. Silicone caulks and latex caulks are the two most common caulks used in showers. The durable option would be silicone caulks. Latex caulks with silicone also offer better performance when compared to latex caulks.
Removing and Replacing the Caulk
- You need to choose the right caulk and the right tools. Caulks come in squeeze tube or in cartridges. Squeeze tubes are used for easy hand application, while with cartridges you may need a caulk gun for application.
List of the Tools you may need in the reapplication of shower caulking
Caulking Tools that come handy in your caulk jobs are:
- Caulk gun for even application of the caulking product without causing any arm fatigue or dripping.
- Caulk strips which are pre-shaped rolls of sealant having a peel-and-stick installation usually used in place of traditional caulks. You can also use it over caulked areas to achieve a finished appearance.
- Caulking spatula used to remove the old caulk without leaving any scratches on the surfaces. It can also be used to spread the caulk which offers a smooth finish to the applied caulk.
- Caulk Backer rods for providing an extra layer of insulation by filling large gaps before caulking, resulting in the usage of less caulk.
- Soften the shower caulk by applying a caulk remover gel. Let it sit for about 20 minutes to have some effect . Then make use of a utility knife or caulking spatula to scrape off the old caulk. Ensure that the whole old caulking including the bits and pieces of it gets removed. You can use rubbing alcohol to ensure the same. Now clean the surface with a dry rag.
- Now you need to demarcate the caulking area for an effective application so that it ensures that the caulk being applied does not spread easily on to the wall or the flooring. For this you need to paste straight pieces of painter’s tape on the both sides of the area of application of the caulk by making sure that you leave the necessary gap for the caulk to be applied.
- Cut open the caulk SQUEEZE tube or cartridge and place it on the caulk gun. Hold the caulk gun at about 45 degrees of angle and apply it along the length of the area under consideration. Proceed gently; ensuring a smooth finish as well as ensuring the gaps is sealed.
- Wipe off the excess caulking and use a rag dabbed in rubbing alcohol or water. Press it on the caulked surface for achieving a much better smooth finish.
Preventing Mold Growth
As we have cleaned the mold off the shower caulking, the next step would be to ensure that the mold do not show up again. Some of the preventive steps to ensure mold regrowth are mentioned below.
1. Make Sure The Bathroom Is Properly Ventilated
Mold thrives for moisture. With proper ventilation, things dry up quickly and thus mold growth can be controlled. You can keep the windows open after showering or else you can invest in other methods like exhaust fans or others so that excess moisture is thrown out.
2. Using Dehumidifiers In Bathroom
Dehumidifiers are also great in removing excess moisture levels. This method works especially in cases of high humidity levels, which are difficult to control. However, you may need to empty it frequently when humidity levels get extremely high, but the use of dehumidifier is worth.
3. Installing Humidity Meter
Humidity meter in your bathroom will let you monitor the humidity levels in the bathroom air. By letting you know how high the humidity is, this will make it convenient to make way for further steps to reduce it. You should better aim to keep the humidity levels below 60% which is quite preferable.
4. Remove The Sources Of Excess Moisture
You need to remove all sources that can add in excess moisture in the air. This includes even the wet towels. After use, never leave wet towels in the bathroom. This simple step too can reduce the humidity levels and thereby mold formation.
5. Drying Up The Bathroom
This might seem hard for some people as it involves effort. But getting the bathroom dried up after use is something worth when it comes to tackling humidity build up and preventing mold formation. You can wipe and mope moisture off the bathroom walls, shower, tiles, anything and everything. You can make use of a dry towel or even squeegee.
6. Cleaning The Bathroom Regularly Weekly
With regular cleaning, you can keep the bathroom free from any stains and mold. This will keep a track on the mold growth in the shower caulking even during the initial phase. You can schedule a regular cleaning routine. Cleaning up the bathroom once a week would be sufficient enough to ensure that molds do not take hold on the shower caulks or other surfaces.
Installing Mold-Resistant Caulking
When replacing caulking, you can invest in mold resistant caulking. They will minimize the mold formation and let the caulking last for longer periods with good durability. You can check up the packaging to see the period of mold resistance that is guaranteed by the manufacturer.
Conclusion
The article deals with the black molds in shower caulking. We have seen the causes of mold formation. You can blame all the humidity and moisture that plays in the bathroom as the reason for such mold growth. If left uncared, they will grow at a faster pace. The article also explains the best methods for mold removal. There are methods involving the use of some of the readily available materials like vinegar, baking soda, etc., as well as methods involving chemicals. When using chemicals you need to take the necessary precautions. You can try your luck with any of these methods. You will surely land in something effective. The article also mentions some of the steps you can keep in mind to prevent mold regrowth in the future as “Prevention is better than cure”.