How To Clean Mold Behind Caulking? – Here’s What Experts Say!

Mold under the caulking affects the beauty of a place at a significant level. It also makes the place unhealthy at the same time. You can face these issues anywhere in your home, including the kitchen, bathroom, etc., especially the place that stays wet most of the time and where there is moisture naturally.

Nobody likes moldy caulking in his favorite places. For example, you are taking a shower and suddenly notice moldy caulking around your bathtub. Nothing can be this much disgusting and annoying at that time. It will literally not allow you to take a bath comfortably.

To avoid this situation, you must regularly clean mold behind the caulking. There are some effective methods to do that. In this article, we will share those methods with you and give you a complete guide on how to clean mold behind caulking. So, if you are interested to learn more, keep reading.

How To Clean Mold Behind Caulking?

There are many ways shown on the internet to clean mold behind caulking. Some of these are really effective. Actually, you can use different types of solutions to clean it. Besides, when it is not possible to clean, then you need to go to replace the caulking.

Here, we have made a full step-by-step process of cleaning mold behind caulking. If you follow this process, we can assure you that you will not need any other methods to solve your problem. 

So, let’s start the process by collecting the necessary materials needed for this process:

What You Will Need:

• Mask and Gloves,
• Toilet Paper or Cotton Ball,
• Vinegar,
• Bleach,
• Spray Dispenser,
• Bowl,
• Caulk Remover Spray, 
• Putty Knife, 
• Caulk Removal Tool,
• Sponge or Wet Cloth,
• Caulk and Caulk Gun,
• Brush, etc.

Step –1: Mix Up the Bleach Solution

After gathering the necessary things for this process, now it is time to make the solutions of bleach for cleaning the mold. At first, we will basically start by applying bleach to the affected place. So, please take the necessary amount of bleach and water and mix it up. Generally, you need one cup of bleach for one gallon of water. According to this ratio, you make the solution.

Step –2: Apply the Bleach Solution

When you are done with the solution, apply it to the affected places. Here, you need to use a sponge for the proper application. Bleach has a very strong pungent. That is why you need to keep the place open as much as possible. Cover all the places where the mold has grown with the bleach solution. 

Step –3: Use Tissue Paper or Cotton Ball to Set It

As it is a liquid solution, you will be unable to set it on the affected area properly. However, setting bleach to the affected area is very important for the best result. For this reason, you need to take a cotton ball or tissue paper and place them directly on the affected area. It will help the bleach to stay on the affected area and work properly. 

Besides, tissue paper or cotton balls will resist bleach from being evaporated. After perfectly doing all these things, now it is time to wait. We recommend waiting for at least 12 hours for the best results.

Step –4: Scrub And Rinse The Place With Water

Now it is time to remove the tissue paper or cotton balls from the affected place. Remove it and scrub it with the brush. Here, you can also use a damaged toothbrush also. Scrub gently so that it doesn’t damage the caulking. After perfectly scrubbing the area, it is now time to wipe it down with a fresh sponge and warm water. Then wash the area with water.

Hopefully, the mold behind the caulking should be cleaned perfectly. Observe and inspect the affected place after cleaning. If you find that the mold is not cleaned properly, you need to keep moving with us and follow the next steps. If your place is cleaned, then you are done.

Step –5: Apply Vinegar Solution and Wait

Vinegar is useful for us for many reasons. We use it in different cooking also. However, it also helps to clean mold. It works like an enemy of the mold and destroys them from the root. So, now you need to apply vinegar to your molded area. 

First, take the spray dispenser and pour some vinegar into it. Now, spray vinegar on the mold-affected areas. 

After this, let it be there for a few hours. Then after waiting for a few hours, rinse the place with water thoroughly. Completing these steps will remove all the mold from the root. 

If the mold is very old, it may not be clean even after completing all these steps. So, if your place is cleaned, then you are done. But if the place is still molded, then follow our next steps. 

Step –6: Remove Caulk and Clean

If the molds are aged and very ugly, it is tough to clean them. Sometimes, it becomes impossible. Besides, some molds come back after cleaning. It isn’t very pleasant and makes your place very unhygienic to use comfortably. Suppose your condition is the same; re-caulk your place. To do that, you need to remove the caulk first. 

Here, you can use caulk remover spray, putty knife, and caulk removal tool to easily and perfectly do that. Make sure there is no molded caulk in your place. Remove all caulk thoroughly from the affected area.

Step –7: Replacing Caulk and Re-Caulking

After removing the caulk, clean the area dry cloth. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to do that. Now, caulk the area again using a caulk gun. A caulk gun is a very useful piece of equipment you can use to caulk easily. You don’t need any professional to do that if you use it. However, hiring a professional can do it more efficiently than you. 

Anyways, keep patience and caulk gently and perfectly as much as you can. Try to use mold-resistant caulk in your place. It will make sure that no mold will grow back in your place. When it is done, the process is completed.

How To Prevent Mold Behind Caulking?

A wise man once said, “prevention is better than cure.” That’s actually the truth. You have learned the process of cleaning mold behind caulking. But it is always better to take some precautionary steps to that no mold is grown in your place. There are some practical steps that you can take to prevent mold behind caulking. 

These are as follows:

1. Use Mold-Resistant Caulk

There are different types of caulks in the market. You will also get mold-resistant caulk, which will make no mold growth in your caulking. So, when building your house, use mold-resistant caulk to seal joints or seams against leakage in all the structures and piping there. Hopefully, you will never face any mold issues in your house.

2. Regularly Clean the Place

Regularly cleaning the place doesn’t allow the caulk to grow mold. There are many places that naturally produce moisture. It would be best if you cleaned those places frequently. You can use some cleaning products to do that. However, ensure that the cleaner doesn’t affect caulks because many cleaning products damage caulking by having harmful chemicals. Clean your places at least once a week.

3. Manage Proper Ventilation

It would help if you made sure proper ventilation in the places where moisture is produced naturally, like the bathroom, kitchen, etc. Proper ventilation will allow to dry the place and prevent growing mold. You can also use an exhaust fan for proper ventilation. 

4. Let the Place Dry

Make sure all the places where your used caulk never stays wet for a long time. Wait places are perfect for growing mold. So, by any means, try to keep your places dry to avoid growing mold. Don’t keep wet towels or clothes in the bathroom for long. It is a good source of moisture that affects the humidity level of the place. 

5. Use a Dehumidifier

You can use a dehumidifier to keep your places dry. Excessive humidity resists a place to be dry. A dehumidifier will allow you to control the humidity level. Besides, install a humidity meter in your place to know the humidity level. Try always to keep the humidity level under 60%. It will prevent to grow mold in your place.

Conclusion

Molds are extremely unhygienic that can spoil a place, and you can’t use them comfortably. To avoid these fungi, you must take care of the caulking of your place. We have discussed the steps that you can take to prevent it from growing here.

Besides, when it is grown, you must clean it using some methods. In this article, we have also given you a complete step-by-step process of how to clean mold behind caulking.

If you are annoyed with mold under the caulking, first follow our given process to clean mold behind the caulking and take steps to prevent mold from growing again. That’s all from us.

Hopefully, you have got solutions to all your problems from this article.

Have a good day.