How To Clean A Black Mold Shower Curtain
I am going to state the obvious and tell you that a simple way to get rid of black mold on a shower curtain is to just get rid of the shower curtain and buy a new one! They are not very expensive usually and ensure there is no more mold in your shower.But, if you dont like to replace items , cant afford to do so, or like a cleaning challenge, then there are some tutorials for removing black mold from shower curtains. Weve been able to remove some pink and black mold from our shower curtains through the years and it isnt all that difficult.
If you have a plastic or vinyl shower curtain liner, simply use a baking soda and water mixture and gently scrub it off then rinse with water. Then you can spray some vinegar on it to help inhibit more growth and remove any watermarks.
If you have a cloth or fabric shower curtain or shower liner, you will do something similar. I suggest heading to this post or this post for a good tutorial on how to do it indoors and outdoors
Lastly, you can throw your shower curtain into the washing machine with some laundry detergent and 1/2 cup baking soda , run on the gentle cycle . Or Ive done it with just a straight vinegar wash before too.
Baking Soda Plus Hydrogen Peroxide
Apply a thick baking soda paste to the area affected by mold. Spray or carefully pour hydrogen peroxide over the baking soda paste so it begins to fizz, which will help loosen the mold further. Scrub the fizzing paste using a stiff bristle brush, then rinse the paste and mold away with water. Repeat as needed.
Tip: If there’s mold on the caulk that seals around your tub, faucet, sink or toilet, the safest thing to do is remove the caulking. Sterilize the area with bleach or distilled white vinegar and dry it thoroughly before replacing the caulk. Opt for a mildew-resistant caulk to inhibit the growth of future mold. Some mold problems can’t be tackled with home remedies or commercial cleaners found at your local store. If you’re facing stubborn grout mold or too much mold to handle alone, call the pros at ServiceMaster Clean for complete mold removal from any area.
Protective Gear For The Removal Process
The tools youll need to remove mold from grout include: spray bottle, bleach, baking soda, scrub brush, old toothbrush, old wash cloth and detergent. Protective gear is also recommended, especially if youre working with a large amount of mildew or a particularly dangerous form. Gloves, goggles, masks and a mold respirator are recommended by the EPA whenever youre cleaning up mould, which poses many health hazards when inhaled.
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Ensure Proper Ventilation While Using Cleaning Products
Proper ventilation is of the utmost importance when dealing with mold or strong cleaning agents. If you are able, open any windows and doors in the bathroom to ensure ventilation. Always use the exhaust fan during and after your cleaning process. If the bathroom does not have an exhaust fan, it may be wise to use a small fan to direct airflow out of the bathroom.
Here is our article on installing a bathroom ventilation fan.
Disinfect Surfaces With A Baking Soda Solution
Baking soda is a great cleaner and disinfectant. You can make a baking soda paste for scrubbing grout or use baking soda to disinfect surfaces after removing the mold.
As a bonus, baking soda helps to get rid of odors.
To create a baking soda solution for use in a spray bottle, combine one to two tablespoons with two cups of water. This should dilute the baking soda enough for it to remain a liquid.
To create a paste for cleaning difficult areas, combine one part baking soda to one part water. Apply the paste to the surface and allow to dry before scrubbing.
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How To Get Rid Of Mold On Silicone Sealant
Silicone sealant is a rubbery material often used in bathroom showers to prevent water from getting behind the walls and joints.
Frequently, these sealants can get moldy and look unsightly.
This usually happens because the surface of the sealant stays damp in your bathroom causing mold spores to settle and begin to germinate.
When this happens, you can either attempt to clean the mold growth or remove and replace the sealant.
It is possible to remove mold from silicone sealants at the first sight of mold growth.
Below are some items that can be effective in cleaning mold from silicone sealant.
- Mild detergent
I usually dont recommend using bleach.
But in this situation, it can be effective in removing and killing the surface growth.
Before you attempt to use bleach or any other chemicals, make sure you read the instructions and NEVER mix bleach with other chemicals when cleaning.
Another important thing is to use protective equipment such as gloves, goggles and long sleeve shirt one that you dont mind if it gets bleach stains.
Ventilation is also important, always open windows and use exhaust fans.
These steps below can be used to remove mold from silicone or caulking in your bathroom shower.
They can be found at any home improvement store.
Causes Of Mold Growth On Grout
Mildew will grow anywhere damp or wet, making an area like the shower a perfect home. Unfortunately, because the shower area is constantly exposed to moisture, keeping mould at bay requires prevention and staying on top of the problem. In addition to the moisture from the shower head, shower grout can also begin growing mold if the bathroom itself has a high humidity. Improper ventilation is a leading cause of mold growth. To prevent problems from occurring in the bathroom, try ventilating the room after your morning shower by opening the window. This should reduce the humidity in the room, allow the shower to dry quickly and keep mold at bay.
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Vinegar And Baking Soda
Your first line of DIY mildew offense is to mix a cup of baking soda and vinegar to get a thick paste.
Apply this paste with a used toothbrush or stiff brush directly onto the grout lines and leave it on for a few minutes before scrubbing it hard.
If you have a thick layer of mildew you can apply this paste overnight and scrub the grout in the morning.
How To Remove Mold From Showercaulking
The ideal thing you can do to remove black mold in shower caulking is to remove the caulking altogether and apply new high-quality mold resistant caulking like this one. This is important because a good mold resistant caulk will help prevent water damage and mold from happening behind your tile and shower walls.
This is actually easier than itsounds. Even I can handle doing this. While it doesnt take long to actuallyremove and replace the shower caulk, it does require you to let it dry properlybefore using your shower again.
Dont want to remove and replace the shower caulk? You can try this mold removal method but it is time consuming and usually doesnt get more than 50-60% of the mold.
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How To Remove Mold From Shower Grout In 6 Steps
- Pete Ortiz
No matter how often you clean your bathroom and how carefully you maintain it, mold always seems to find its way into the room. Mold can be a safety hazard, and it is essential to clean it thoroughly as soon as it appears. Mold is a frequent guest in many houses, especially in bathrooms, where there are high humidity levels.
When you spot mold in your bathroom, such as on shower grout, it is crucial to act fast in cleaning it, and this way, prevent the mold from spreading rapidly to the rest of your bathroom.
Tips On Preventing Mold From Reappearing
- Keep air constantly circulating through your bathroom
- Wipe your tiles and grout with a dry towel after every shower
- Spray your grout once a week with an anti-mold solution
- Donât allow the mold to sit for a long time
- Clean the mold as soon as you notice it
- Clean your bathroom often, thoroughly
- Seal your grout once a year
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Purify The Grout Area With White Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent and also doesnt cause discoloration of grout like chlorine. Spray white vinegar on the moldy shower grout and allow it to settle for 30 minutes. Then scrub the grout with a stiff brush. Again spray white vinegar and keep it for 30 minutes on the grout. Now rinse the shower grout with warm water. If it is necessary then repeat the process to clean the area thoroughly.
How To Remove Mold From Tile Grout: Best Removal Method
Did you know that the tiny spaces between the tiles can serve as an ideal breeding ground for mold? It must have come as a surprise but molds are certainly smarter than most human beings. Many people choose to ignore the said area and ignorance eventually leads to unwanted consequences. Mold in tile grout is particularly common in the bathroom because of adequate moisture levels. No doubt, this quite a threat for whoever uses that particular threat. However, you no longer need to worry about mold in bathroom tile in because we have decided to take charge of helping you out with the matter. Not only will you gain necessary information about bathroom tile mold but you will also learn how to remove mold from tile grout. Just make sure you read it thoroughly.
Contents
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Hydrogen Peroxide And Baking Soda
Alternatively, you can use hydrogen peroxide in combination with baking soda. Apply the hydrogen peroxide on the grout lines and leave it on overnight. In the morning, apply the baking soda with a wet brush. This will help the mildew get scrubbed out of the grout lines and be washed away. Scrub until the surface is clean and wash the floor with warm water.
The above methods and mixtures work in most cases, but they arent always enough for extreme cases. If you are wondering how to clean shower grout mildew if they have already formed very thick layers on your surfaces in your absence, it may be time to call in a professional local cleaning service.
This usually is only necessary if youve been away for a significant amount of time. In any case try these methods mentioned above first to try and get rid of mildew.
Why Do You Need To Clean Mold From Bathroom & Shower Grout
So, is it really that important to clean the grout in your shower and bathroom? Does mold make that big of an impact or should you keep the grout clean simply for aesthetic reasons? There are actually several reasons why it is important to stay on top of the mold growth that so quickly accumulates on the grout in your bathroom and shower.
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Health Risk Of Black Mold
Mold is gross to look at but what is the real risk? It turns out that mildew and mold growth in the bathroom does not pose a serious health crisis unless the mold spores begin to spreadthrough the rest of the house.
Some types of mold become a danger when allowed to spread on surfaces with cellulose, which is found in wood and wood-derived materials such as paper and fiberboard.
If the mold penetrates the walls, floorboards, and rafters, the toxic mold may develop.
In bathrooms, the mold is more likely to cause minor respiratory issues in some individuals. Potential symptoms include:
- Itchy eyes
- Rashes
- Skin irritation
During a severe reaction, you may also find it difficult to take deep breaths. If you detect these signs, remove mold and consider having your property inspected for the spread of moldthrough other areas.
While mold is rarely a danger, remove it before it has the chance to spread. It can easily travel through air ducts and settle in rooms throughout the house.
Take Steps To Prevent Mold In The Future
As long as mold can find a porous and damp place in your bathroom, it can grow and come back. The best way to enjoy clean grout in your bathroom is to prevent mold from growing in the first place. Here are some tips to keep mold from growing in your grout:
- Thoroughly clean your bathroom every week
- Open a window and turn the fan on to let out steam
- Run the fan for half an hour after showering
- Seal grout once per year
- Wipe down the shower after using it
- Spray an anti-fungal solution monthly
- Spray a tea-tree oil solution after you shower
- Fix leaky bathroom faucets
Cleaning grouting takes some elbow grease, so its a good idea to do everything you can to prevent mold growth.
Andrew Saladino
Andrew Saladino is the Co-Founder of Kitchen Cabinet Kings where he has helped over 10,000 customers with their remodeling projects. He is a nationally awarded kitchen and bathroom professional by the NKBA and his advice has been featured in major publications such as Forbes, Huffington Post, Mashable, Yahoo! Small Business, and more.
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The Very Best Way To Clean Shower Tile Mildew With Set
If vinegar and tea tree oil arent doing the trick, then its time to move onto another homemade shower mold cleaner: baking soda. This grout cleaner is fantastic when you need to remove a mildew stain that wont disappear. Baking soda can also be used with vinegar in the washing machine to remove mold and mildew from a shower curtain.
- Toothbrush or bristle brush
Start by creating a thick paste by adding water to the baking soda and blending it well. Add the baking soda paste to the shower walls, getting in between the grooves of the tile. Scrub the paste into the grout lines, using a toothbrush to work the cleaner deep into the crevices and cracks.
Next, spray some vinegar over the baking soda paste and wait for the bubbling to stop. After the fizzing has subsided, continue scrubbing the tile grout until visibly clean. Rinse with clean water and dry.
Knock Out Your Shower Mold With Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an antifungal agent and cuts right through your mold problem. Peroxide attacks mold and bubbles it away you can apply peroxide to clean mold in the bathroom if vinegar doesnt do the job.
This recipe shows you how to get rid of black mold in shower tiles and curtains safely and efficiently with peroxide.
- 1 pair of rubber gloves
- Cleaning pad
Combine water and peroxide in the spray bottle. Spray the solution on affected spots, and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the places with the pad, rinse, and dry. Wear old clothes when using peroxide, as peroxide spills can stain.
If you recently replaced the grout in your tile, you may have leftover residue on your tiles. Cleaning grout haze is easy with this peroxide and water recipe. Wipe the solution on the tiles to remove grout haze and leave your tiles shining again.
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How To Deal With Mold On Shower Curtains
Shower curtains are difficult to keep clean. Soap and scum cling to the surface, increasing the chance of mildew and mold growth.
For minor mold growth on vinyl or plastic, scrub the curtains with baking soda and water. Spraying a little vinegar on the curtains afterward helps protect against future growth.
Washing fabric or cloth curtains in the washing machine with some detergent and a half cup of baking soda may remove mold. Soaking the fabric in a bucket filled with vinegar may also work.
For severe mold growth, toss the curtains. Even if you remove the mold, the stains will likely remain.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In Shower Grout With Baking Soda
This solution is a baking soda paste made with other ingredients that will help with mold removal. One of the many uses of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Read below and give it a try.
- Stiff bristle brush or toothbrush
Mix these ingredients in a suitable bowl. Make sure there is no water present, as the mold loves wet and humid places. Wait five minutes before applying it.
Apply the paste on each section of mold and wait half an hour for the paste to affect the mold. Clean mold with a brush with a stiff bristle. A toothbrush will do in most circumstances.
Be careful not to damage the tile grout. Do not wash it down with the showerhead until the next day. Warm water and a little pressure should get rid of the rest of the dead mold.
If your problem with mold is on the outside of your house, youll have to use an exterior house washing solution. Many of these recipes use similar ingredients to take care of outdoor mold.
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Make A Tea Tree Oil Mold Removal Formula
Unlike ammonia or bleach, tea tree oil is not corrosive. It also contains natural antifungal and antibacterial properties, making it another effective option for future mold prevention.
You only need a small amount of tea tree oil. Combine one teaspoon of the oil with one cup of water. Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake thoroughly, and mist the affected area.
Tea tree oil is typically a very effective solution but these oils do not always provide the same mold-killing properties. When purchasing oil, look at the active ingredients.
The tea tree oil should contain at least 30% terpinene 4-ol and no more than 10% to 15% cineole. Naturenics Premium Organic Tea Tree Essential Oil offers the right combination, increasing the power of the oil for dealing with mold.
