How to Get Rid of Mold in Shower Caulk – Multiple Solution

Every day, a thousand people use caulk in their showers and face mold issues. A mold issue is very common in a moist environment, but taking steps against mold-affected showers has no negative impact.

Mold is unhygienic, and it is also necessary that a shower surface look spotless. To make the shower source spotless, rubbing the floor is not enough. A few extra steps need to be taken in such a case.

In this article, we will focus on those aspects and try to find the ultimate solution to getting rid of mold in shower caulk.

Is Mold in Shower Caulk Dangerous?

Of course, as we are here to find a solution to mold, mold is not good for our home health. According to Water Damage Advisor, 30% of homes in the USA are affected by mold.

Many kinds of mold can cause problems, but filamentous fungi are the most common ones. Mold is different from mildew, which only grows on a moist surface and can be scrubbed with a sponge and water.

According to WHO, mold increases the chances of respiratory illnesses by 30–50%. But on the other hand, mold is also responsible for asthma, allergies, and colds. So, to take care of your shower, removing mold is essential.

How to Take Precaution Before Removing Mold 

Before starting the cleaning process, take a few steps such as: 

• Wear safety gear and a mask before starting the process
• Do not touch the mold with your hands. In this case, wear gloves
• Stop painting over mold
• Avoid applying the HVAC process

Moreover, gloves, safety glasses with side shields, protective shoes, and a simple breathing tube are enough to clean up a tiny shower area.

Instrument

Process of removing mold from the caulk. Some instruments are mandatory. And they are:

• Sponge
• Brush
• Gloves
• Hair Covers
• Shoe Covers
• Safety Goggles
• Mask
• Bleach

Removing Mold in Shower Caulk – Potential Steps with Bleach

#1: Gather Your All Instrument

Just get ready and gather all the instruments to mold from the shower. The whole process can be time-consuming, so do not just rush.

#2: Clean Up the Surface

As we already know, mold cannot be removed by only using water, but still, before starting the process, clean the surface with soap, a brush, and water.

#3: Start the Process of Bleaching

Apply bleach to the caulk and wait 10 minutes.

#4: Rub the Caulking Surface

After waiting for 10 minutes:

1. Use a brush and sponge to rub the surface.
2. Do not just hurry during this process.
3. Take time and continue the process until the shower caulk turns its real color. 

Bleaching is a very traditional method of mold removal.

Removing Mold and Mildew from the Bathroom

Including bleach, ammonia, vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and borax can also clean mold and prevent the shower from mold attack so soon.

1: Ammonia

When using ammonia in the shower, open the shower door or window, so you don’t absorb the gas. A limited airflow will be fine if you have a tiny shower. You can use a fan as well. It will absorb the wetness of the surface.

Wear a mask, use a small container, and mix ammonia with water to create a foamy mixture. Using a funnel, transfer the liquid into a spray bottle. Apply the ammonia to the shower caulk in a fine, equal layer.

If the mold growth in the shower is higher, you can use more. After applying, wait 10 minutes, and you will see the black mold is gone. To get a satisfying result, repeat the process.

2: Vinegar

In addition to removing the fungi from the caulk, vinegar also destroys it fully. When it comes to killing mold, white vinegar is the best option, as it is more effective than any other variety of vinegar.

Though the vinegar’s flavor is harsh, you can reduce it with water. But it couldn’t be easier to remove mold by using vinegar:

First of all, soak the affected area in vinegar to reduce the problem. After about an hour, come back to the shower. Use a brush or a sponge to clean the caulk. Last, rinse off the caulk.

3: Hydrogen Peroxide

Mold in your shower caulk can be removed using hydrogen peroxide. It is an eco-friendly solution. Hydrogen peroxide at a level of 3% is ideal for mold prevention.

Spray the peroxide on the caulk and let it soak for a few minutes. Then, scrub it with a sponge or brush after letting it sit for about 10 minutes. Finally, use a paper towel or cloth to wipe the area clean.

4: Borax

For decades, people have used borax to clean their homes, and now you can use it to get rid of mold. Adding one part borax to ten parts water and spraying the solution onto the caulk is the same procedure as most other ways. Clean your shower caulk by scrubbing and drying it.

The final solution is to remove the caulk. If you are tired of the cleaning process because of mold and your shower look too dirty, the only solution is to replace it.

In such a situation, silicone caulk is better than latex because silicone is durable, and the best-branded silicone caulk is mold resistant. For instance- Gorilla waterproof caulk is a good choice for showers.

To remove the caulk, apply a caulk removal gel to the caulk and leave it to soften for 20 minutes. Using a utility knife, scrape away the old caulking.

Tape the edges of the tiles so that only the caulk is visible. Cut the caulk nozzle end so that it is as broad as the space where the new caulk will be applied.

Apply the caulk by maintaining a straight line, then run your hand through the water to remove the extra caulk. Finally, peel off the tape gently while the new caulk is still wet.

Bottom Line

Escaping from mold is quite tricky, but here we have discussed many ways to help people get rid of mold in shower caulk. Make sure, before using any of the solutions, to wear safety gear, gloves, and a mask.

Want to Learn More:

• Using Grout Instead of Caulk: Possible or Not?
• Black Mold Cleaning Process from Silicone Sealant – How to Do It With 5 Solutions?
• How Long Does Silicone Caulk Last: Reason for Aging and How to Prevent It!