In a siliconized caulking area, moisture on the surface is the primary cause of mold growth. However, there is no permanent way to prevent mold from forming in a moist area, as bathrooms and other places that hold water are suitable for mold growth.
But if your bathroom is attracted by mold, and you are planning on removing mold from under silicone caulk that is not impossible. You can do that just by applying a few steps.
Using squeeze, baking soda, and vinegar are the three most common solutions, but there are a few more. Our expert will help you find out how to remove mold from silicone caulk.
What is The Reason for Molding Growth?
As a result of moist wallboard and surface, mold may be forming on your caulking in some circumstances. This is the result of poor construction in the bathroom or bathtub area. Moisture can be caught in the walls due to poor grout, misplaced tiles, and unsuitable insulation.
Though, moisture is the most common cause of mold growth, hence silicone is utilized as a moisture barrier. Silicone sealants are frequently utilized to prevent moisture from getting in, which means they will be in contact with the main cause of mold growth in standing water. But still, mold and mildew can grow in a siliconized area.
The Process to Remove Mold from Under Silicone Caulk
Removing mold from silicone caulk requires time and technique rather than rushing into it do it when you are fully ready.
Make sure you have everything you need and gather knowledge on exactly what to do at each step. Black and pink mold are the most common colors of mold. If you see a lot of black mold in your shower caulk, it is a sign that something is going wrong with your bathroom surface.
To remove any kind of mold first of all gather the necessary tools and items. Such as:
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Wet Cloth
- Gloves
- Mask
- Squeegee
- Water
- Bleach
- Hammer
How to Remove Mold from Silicone Naturally: Step by Step Process
Step 1: Apply Bleach
To get rid of the mold, you need to use bleach. Apply it straight to the caulk. Before starting, put on a mask and gloves and open a nearby window to let some fresh air in.
Next, add a layer of wet cloth, toilet paper, or cotton balls directly to the caulk. It usually depends on the size of the moldy area. Mix white vinegar and baking soda to make a paste. Use a brush with strong bristles to work on stubborn spots, or apply the bleach paste.
If you utilize this method, toilet paper should be rolled into a tail shape and placed on the caulk. Putting toilet tissue or cotton balls in prevents the bleach from leaking from the area where it is needed.
Step 2: Give it Some Time to Settle
Wait at least 12 hours, preferably overnight after the bleaching process. In the meantime, due to the intensity of bleach, keep the room well-ventilated. And then, simply remove the cotton balls or toilet tissue the next morning. You will see the mold has been removed.
Step 3: Experiment with Vinegar
No need to become worried if you have a little mold problem left at this point.
However, if you have a major mold problem, use vinegar to complete the task. When it comes to surface mold, bleach does an excellent job, but it sometimes fails when removing mold on the inside portion of silicone caulk. So, in such a situation vinegar is the solution.
Moreover, it is important to do this even if you only have a small quantity of mold on silicone left. Because the mold will colonize again on your bathroom in a few weeks or months if you skip the step.
At this moment, use a spray bottle filled with vinegar to treat the moldy area. For a few hours, let it sit in the fridge. Then rinse it. After rinsing, dry with a cloth made of microfibers, and then use a cold, damp sponge to scrub or apply warm water over the surface.
It is expected that this would eliminate the mold problem. It is good to replace your caulk if it is really old or showing up even after using bleach and vinegar.
Step 4: Take Care of the Mold’s Origin
Find out what is causing the mold. Not all mold grows on the top of your caulk. It sometimes grows behind tiles. To get rid of the mold for good, you will have to take off the affected caulk and tiles.
You might use a caulk remover to get the caulk off the tub and tiles unless it does not come off easily. When the caulk is soft, you can use a utility knife to cut it off.
Furthermore, use a hammer and chisel to take out tiles and look for mold or mildew behind them, and after finding them, use vinegar.
Step 5: And you Are Done
Tile and caulk should be replaced and reinstalled. Grout the same color as the old tile to match. Re-caulking is the final step.
How to Prevent Molding
Mold growth under silicone caulk is a very common issue. There is no way to completely avoid the possibility of ever having to battle harmful mold. Nevertheless, you can do a few things to help prevent mold from developing in your bathroom or returning after cleaning it up.
Staying dry is the most important thing you can do. Mold grows in wet environments the most, and bathrooms are generally the most common places where mold is used to find the spores to grow.
This situation can happen on the baseboard and kitchen counter too. Because silicone caulk in baseboards is also widely used, as is counter.
- When showering or bathing, turn on the exhaust fan and leave the door open as much as possible to keep your bathroom as fresh as possible.
- Towels, wet wipes, and bath mats should also be washed regularly. You may also use a squeegee to clean tiles and glass panels and a towel to dry your sinks for further protection.
- If you have children, ensure that everyone knows to close the curtain every time they shower.
- It is no longer necessary to hang a “beautiful” shower curtain when it becomes filthy, instead attractive fabric shower curtains use a plastic container shower liner.
- Depending on your decorating preferences, ensure that the curtain is correctly pulled into the bathtub whenever the water is flowing. In certain cases, moldy shower curtains can be washed, but the plastic liners that one marked as mold affected should be removed completely.
- Do not let your guard down. If you see any signs of mold growth remove the tiles or do re-caulk. Even though harmful “black mold” is typically black, mold can be any of the many colors you see on the range, from pink, green, red, brown, or even white.
FAQ
Does bleach damage silicone sealant?
Why does mold keep coming back in my shower?
How do you get rid of mold under caulking?
Bottom Line
Molding is very common in a moist place and you have already aware of it. In this article we have tried, to sum up, all details about how to remove mold from under silicone caulk. Keep the moist place clean whenever you want to just stop molding growth, otherwise stopping mold forever is quite impossible.
Want to Learn More:
- How To Remove Wet Silicone Caulk – 5 Easiest Steps To Doing It
- Why Does My Caulk Keep Cracking (7 Ultimate Reasons)
- How To Use Caulk Without Gun (2022 Strategies)
- How To Use Liquid Nails With And Without A Caulking Gun?
- Is Landlord Responsible For Caulking (Assumption Or Fact)
Hello! this is John Cox. If I’m not wrong, you love Home. Right? And you already met one of them who’ve been in this field since 2005 and still go on. According to my interest, I’ve started this blog to share my thoughts about Home sectors, and you’ll love it.
