Eliminate Mold on Shower Caulk
Dealing with mold on caulked surfaces in the shower can be frustrating. That black or green growth can spread quickly and detract from your otherwise pristine bathroom's appearance. Not to mention, breathing in mold spores poses potential health hazards.
Thankfully, you can banish mold from your shower caulk without needing strong chemicals or costly professional cleaning services. With some simple household supplies and a little elbow grease, you can effectively eliminate mold from shower caulk and prevent its return.
Identifying Mold Growth in Shower Caulking
The first step is confirming that the discoloration and growth in your shower's caulked crevices is indeed mold. Mold exhibits some telling signs:
- Powdery or fuzzy texture
- Black, green, yellow, or orange discoloration
- Earthy or musty odor
- Spreading over time to expand discolored areas
You may spot mold growing along corners, near tiles, or where the tub meets shower walls. Bathroom mold flourishes wherever warm, humid air meets and condenses on cooler shower surfaces. Areas where water or moisture accumulate easily provide prime real estate for mold.
Dangers of Mold in the Shower
Before removing mold, understand why tackling shower mold matters. Mold release spores that you can inhale by breathing indoor air. Sensitive individuals may develop coughing, wheezing, irritated eyes, stuffy nose, headache, and other allergic reactions . With prolonged exposure, mold causes asthma attacks or sinus congestion in those allergic individuals. Even those not sensitive to mold should avoid exposure.
Inspecting for Water Damage
In concert with eliminating mold, address what enabled its growth. Failing to tackle underlying moisture issues will lead to repeat mold outbreaks. Inspect for leaks, flooding, damp drywall, or condensation. Improve ventilation and fix plumbing issues. Catching and resolving water damage promptly is crucial for preventing extensive mold growth.
Gathering Supplies to Remove Mold from Caulked Showers
With the mold inspected and identified, it's time to gather the proper cleaning supplies to tackle shower mold removal. Arm yourself with these materials before getting started:
- Bleach - The chlorine in bleach makes it an effective anti-microbial for killing mold . Opt for regular 6% strength household bleach.
- Water - Mix water with the bleach to create a spray cleaning solution.
- Spray bottle - Use an empty spray bottle to dispense your bleach cleaning solution.
- Scrub brush - Choose a scrub brush with sturdy, stiff bristles for scrubbing moldy caulk.
- Grout brush - For mold growth between tiles and in crevices, a small grout brush helps.
- Utility knife - If caulk is extensively moldy, use a utility knife to scrape out old caulk.
- Caulk remover - Further soften and dissolve caulk for easier removal when necessary.
- Caulking gun - Apply fresh caulk more easily with a caulking gun when replacing old caulk.
- Mold-resistant caulk - Replace removed caulk with mold and mildew-resistant varieties containing antimicrobial ingredients.
Safety Precautions for Mold Removal
Working with bleach requires proper safety precautions too. Be sure to wear gloves, long sleeves, closed toe shoes, and a mask or respirator. Open windows and use fans to keep the bathroom well-ventilated.
Preparing the Shower Before Mold Removal
With your protective gear on and supplies at the ready, prep your shower to simplify mold removal.
Covering the Shower Drain
To prevent bleach cleaning solution or dislodged mold and caulk from slipping down the drain, plug it up. Place a towel or rag over the drain opening. Weigh it down with a heavy shampoo bottle or other object to keep it in place throughout the cleaning process.
Protecting Surfaces Near Moldy Caulk
On areas bordering the moldy caulk, lay down cloths or painter's tape to shield surfaces. For instance, place tape along the edges of nearby tiles or a towel over the tub rim underneath the caulked surface needing mold removal.
This step keeps errant drips of caustic bleach solution from landing on and potentially damaging surfaces merely meant to contain the mold removal work zone. Remove all protective coverings once finished scrubbing away mold.
Applying Bleach Solution to Moldy Caulk
Mix a 50/50 solution of bleach and water in your spray bottle. Test spray a small area first to ensure it won't adversely affect shower surfaces. If no issues, liberally spray the moldy caulk and surrounding tiles or walls bordering the outbreak. Focus on saturated rather than misted coverage. Let the bleach solution sit for at least 15 minutes before scrubbing to allow it time to penetrate and work.
Using Vinegar or Hydrogen Peroxide Solutions
For mild mold growth on tile or fiberglass surfaces that may interact poorly with bleach, substitute white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Use undiluted vinegar or a 50/50 hydrogen peroxide-water mixture. However, bleach remains the strongest anti-mold solution for porous grout, silicone caulk, and shower corners.
Scrubbing the Caulked Surface with Brushes
After allowing bleach time to penetrate the moldy caulk, begin scrubbing with your grout brush. Apply firm pressure, working the bristles to and fro to loosen mold for removal. Switch to the utility knife as needed to scrape at especially thick or stubborn mold clusters.
Take care not to gouge into the caulk or underlying shower surface materials. Rinse with water between scrubbing rounds to keep inspecting removal progress. Thicker mold growth necessitates repeat bleach application, dwell time, and scrubbing efforts.
Checking for Remaining Mold Traces
Verify no dark mold spots remain along caulk lines or tile grout borders after rinsing away scrubbed residue. Reapply bleach and scrub again for any lingering discoloration. Use a flashlight held at an angle to check for hidden mold remnants.
Removing Existing Caulk and Replacing with Mold-Resistant Caulk
For recurring or severe mold issues with existing caulk, replace it altogether after mold elimination. Use a utility knife to scrape out old caulk. Apply caulk remover solvent to soften any caulk remnants still clinging before wiping the crevice completely clean.
Let the newly emptied caulk joint dry fully before applying fresh mold-resistant caulk. Look for caulk containing antimicrobial ingredients to inhibit future mold growth. Press the new caulk deeply into joints using a caulking gun then smooth with a finishing tool.
Improving Shower Ventilation
To ward off repeat mold infestations after removing existing caulk mold, improve ventilation. Open bathroom windows during and after showering. Run the fan for 20+ minutes post-shower until condensation fully evaporates. Consider installing a more powerful bath fan if existing airflow seems inadequate.
Sealing leaky plumbing and shower doors also reduces ambient moisture supporting mold growth. Wipe down shower walls with a squeegee after each use so standing water doesn't feed mold.