Stained shower grouts are a pure embarrassment if not hazardous. And you know the thing is, these grouts don’t form overnight. They happen over time until the sight of your own bathroom irks you. They become so stained and dirty, that no matter how hard you clean, it seems impossible to get back to their original color.
If this is your bathroom we are talking about here. Don’t panic, we have a couple of solutions for you in this article.
We will teach you how to get rid of mold in shower grout using items that you can easily and cheaply source for. Most of them are actually found in your pantry. We have also shared some tips with you to prevent these stubborn microorganisms from ever coming back.
So, stick around, and you might just find the perfect remedy for getting rid of mold in shower grout.
What causes Mold in Shower Grout?
According to recent statistics, more than half of all the homes in the United States have mold, which means you are not the only one struggling with the rampant growth of all that icky mold in your home.
These micro-organisms thrive best in places where there is warmth, moisture, and poor air circulation, making places like the kitchen, basement, attic, and the shower, especially in the grout, ideal places for it to grow. It usually takes less than two days to grow, and the more organic matter it feeds on, the faster it grows.
Unfortunately, not everyone knows the dangers that come with these mere living organisms, but the truth is, it can cause some serious health issues if it is not completely eradicated.
How to Get Rid of Mold in Shower Grout?
Of course, you cannot keep on replacing your shower grout, so it’s the mold that has to go. However, it requires some patience and hard work to get rid of all the pores and fully disinfect it. Read on to learn a step-by-step guide on how to eliminate them.
Things Required to Get Rid of Mold from Shower Grout
1. Bleach
2. Vinegar
3. Baking Soda
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
5. Grout Brush / Regular Scrub Brush or an Old Toothbrush
6. Small Bowl
7. Spray Bottle
How to Remove Mold from Grout
Wondering how to clean mold from grout using these materials? Play around with these steps and see which one works best for your shower grout.
Begin with Vinegar
Fill a spray bottle with a 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water, then spray the affected areas of your shower and let the solution sit for about 5-10 minutes. Scrub thoroughly using either one of the above brushes, then rinse with warm water.
Follow up with Baking Soda and Vinegar
Although many people prefer using both vinegar and baking soda separately, cleaning mold with vinegar and baking soda together is most effective. For starters, mix baking soda and water in a bowl. Then dip your brush inside the paste and proceed to work your way through the grout. Spray the vinegar solution to remove that nasty buildup and then rinse with warm water.
Is the Mold still not Coming Out? Try Hydrogen Peroxide or Bleach
If you have really tough mold on your shower grout, then hydrogen peroxide or bleach might be the game-changer. Many people are very skeptical about the effectiveness of bleach. Cleaning grout with hydrogen peroxide might be better than cleaning grout with bleach because of several reasons.
The effervescent nature of hydrogen peroxide makes it more effective at getting rid of mold from shower grout than bleach. It’s also affordable and readily available in stores, and most tiles get discolored by bleach, which makes most people prefer hydrogen peroxide from bleach, but that doesn’t mean that it is not as effective.
For starters, spray the hydrogen peroxide (or bleach if you want to) on the mold. Proceed to scrub with your brush until you see some changes. If not, mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda, then dip your brush inside the paste and scrub the affected areas. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
How to Remove Mold from Shower Caulk?
Having learned how to get rid of mold in shower grout, how about getting yourself acquainted with how to clean mold from shower caulk. They might look similar to you, but there is a distinctive difference between a shower grout and shower caulk. One of the most effective ways to remove mold from shower caulk is to spray bleach directly on to the affected area. Then let it sit for 5-10 minutes and scrub it away.
Ammonia works just as well. However, you should keep in mind that you should not inhale ammonia, so when using it, make sure you open all the nearby doors and windows.
Begin by mixing a 1:1 ratio of ammonia and water. Pour into a spray bottle, and then proceed to spray on the caulk. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and make sure to let in as much air as possible. Then scrub your way through the caulk and rinse with warm water. You can also use hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and baking soda solutions. The aim is to find which one works best for you.
Tips for Preventing Mold in Showers
We have looked at how to get rid of mold in shower grout and caulk, but that’s not enough. Keeping them from flourishing in your shower is also a challenge. Let’s take a look at some tips on how to prevent mold in shower grout and caulk.
1. Wash your Bathroom Rugs Frequently
As mentioned before, mold flourishes in a warm, moist environment with poor air circulation, and your bathroom rugs are one of their cozy hideouts. You may be one of “I will wash them later” people but to put an end to these icky organisms, then you have no choice but to wash your rugs frequently. This will help you get rid of any mold that may have grown on the rug and pose as an unsuitable environment for them to ever grow again.
2. Fix all the Leaks in your Shower
Moisture provides a suitable environment for mold to grow, so any leaking pipes or taps are a great opportunity for moisture to be around your shower. Regularly check for any leaking pipes or taps around your shower and make sure to fix them.
3. Declutter your Shower
For mold to grow, it needs a surface, right? Try as much as possible to remove any shampoo bottles, shower gel bottles, bathing toys inside the shower, to prevent any mold from growing on them.
Arrange all your bathing essentials in a shower caddy which you can easily clean without any hassles.
4. Use a Mildew-Resistant Shower Curtain
Mold uses air as a means of transport. With a mold-resistant shower curtain, these harmful organisms will not find any entry point into your shower. Just make sure to wash them because they can also be a haven for mold to thrive in if they are not properly cared for.
FAQs
Q1: How can I Clean Mold in Shower Grout Naturally?
As mentioned before, you can use materials like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice to eradicate mold from your shower grout. You can also give steaming a try. Using a steam cleaner, blow through the grout lines and then follow up with either one of these other materials, scrub and rinse off with warm water.
Q2: How can I get Rid of Black Mold in my Shower?
There are pretty simple ways on how to clean dark grout in the shower. As mentioned above, using materials like hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, baking soda, and bleach solutions work perfectly. Just follow the steps mentioned above, and you will be good to go.
Q3: Does Hydrogen Peroxide Kill Black Mold?
Yes, it does. Hydrogen peroxide is an antifungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial solution that effectively kills any mold on the surfaces in your shower.
Q4: What are the Three Best Shower Cleaners for Mold and Mildew?
1. RMR-86 Instant Mold Stain and Mildew Stain Remover
This is undoubtedly the overall best shower cleaner for mold and mildew. Manufactured by RMR, this bleach-based stain remover works within 15 seconds, and you do not have to scrub off the mold. Just let it sit for a couple of minutes and watch it do its magic. Although it has a strong smell, this stain remover does work wonders.
2. Skylarlife Home Mold and Mildew Remover Gel
With the high number of positive remarks left by users, this stain remover gel does not disappoint. This one works differently from most other shower cleaners. It takes 5-6 hours to do its job, but it lifts off the entire mold on both grouts and caulks, even the ones you didn’t notice. It is more concentrated than other shower cleaners and has a thin top that allows you to apply exactly where you want. This feature also makes it durable since you will be using very little amount to get rid of mold and mildew in your shower. Although it doesn’t have a bleach smell, you should wear gloves while using it to prevent burning.
3. Clorox Plus Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover Spray 16 Oz
Last but not least is this bleach-based stain remover by Tilex. This product takes pride in removing 99.9% of mold from shower grout and caulk. Just like the first shower cleanser, this one does its job in a matter of minutes. Just pour it on the affected areas, let it sit for about five minutes, and watch it lift off the entire mold from all your shower surfaces.
What makes it stand out is that the spray bottle is designed to get every dropout but still release it minimally, which makes it long-lasting.
Final Thoughts
Besides being a threat to your health and that of your loved ones, mold is unmistakably gross and unpleasant to look at. This is why it is important you learn how to get rid of mold in shower grout. With this comprehensive guide, you will be bidding farewell to these destructive organisms.
