How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Shower Caulking
I wrote a whole post about removing black mold from shower caulking, though my bleach method has been critiqued for not actually doing more than removing the stain and color of the mold. And the mold did come back 6-9 months later.
You can see my video tutorial about how I did it though:
This is because bleach is no longer considered to be the best way to remove mold. It is only effective if the mold is on a non-porous material like tile, bathtubs, glass, and countertops. It doesnt reach the mold growing underneath the surface. Also, bleach can damage the materials it is used on as its a harsh, corrosive chemical. The fumes are strong and harsh and it must be handled with gloves.
But, it does do a great job at removing the mold stains, but the mold isnt truly killed. If you want to get rid of the possibility of future mold growth, bleach isnt going to cut it.
You can instead use vinegar, baking soda, ammonia, oxygen bleach, borax or hydrogen peroxide.
I, however, have not been able to find many tutorials on how to use these products specifically for cleaning moldy caulking in bathrooms, so if anyone has tried using them, with success, Id love to know! I tried making a paste of water and OxiClean and slathered it onto the moldy caulking, but it did absolutely nothing. It dried out shortly after application and didnt remove the mold or the stains at all.
Adding new caulk is a great way to spruce up that moldy shower.
How To Get Rid Of Mold In The Shower
Before we get to the various ways toclean a moldy shower, I want to provide you with links to posts that I have writtenabout some of the specific mold removal products. This will give you a betteridea about why I am recommending them.
How to remove mold with:
I think it is also important for you to know why I do NOT recommend cleaning mold with bleach. You need to read that post but in short, it causes MORE mold growth and doesnt actually kill mold.
Ready? Lets go area by area.
Get Mold Out Of Clothes With Oxygen Bleach
If youre dealing with an item of clothing that stays moldy no matter how many times you send it through the wash, give bleach a try. Chlorine bleach is exceptionally effective against mold, but it will discolor and damage dark clothing.
Oxygen bleach is your friend in these circumstances and will clean away mold without risking your clothes. Use it to remove mold from any non-white fabric.
Mix the oxygen bleach and water in a large container. Soak the moldy clothes in the bleach solution for at least eight hours. Then, send the clothes through a hot wash cycle. Dry the fabric on the line to kill any remaining mold. Repeat as needed.
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Knock Out Mold With Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil gives you the best of several worlds. Not only do you get a potent cleaner that will remove mold from porous surfaces and leather, but it leaves any cleaned surface smelling fresh and clean. Use a tea tree oil solution on porous materials or any surfaces that need a scent upgrade along with mold removal.
Fill the spray bottle with the liquid ingredients. Spray the tea tree oil mixture on moldy spots, and let it sit. The mold should melt away. Tea tree oil is a natural mold repellent and discourages future mold growth, so you dont need to wipe the cleaning solution away when you finish cleaning.
Black Mold In Shower Health Risks
Thankfully, due to the way bathrooms and showers are constructed today, the black mold you see in your shower is less likely to be the really bad stuff the toxic black mold or deadly mold known as Stachybotrys chartarum. This is because your shower areas and surfaces dont have cellulose which is required for the really bad type of mold to grow. Tile, ceramics, and cement-fiber backer board all make Stachybotrys less likely to grow.
But, it doesnt mean the black mold you see in your shower issafe for you either!
You can request some laboratory testing for it, but it isnt really that necessary and it can be very expensive.
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How To Remove Mold With Vinegar
Vinegar is natural and safe mild acid that can kill 82% of mold species. Plus it doesnt give off dangerous fumes like bleach. If you want to use vinegar to prevent mold growth on surfaces, spray vinegar on the surface and leave it. Repeat every few days to keep the surface mold-free.
How to Use Vinegar
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Know When To Call In The Professionals
Now that you have located the mold, its time to determine the type of treatment you need. How bad the area is determines whether a professional is required or not. The rule of thumb, in this case, is ten square feet of space.
Anything below this area of surface damage is something you can certainly handle at home on your own. An area that spreads further than ten square feet of space requires more drastic measures.
Involving a professional in these cases is your best course of action. Knowing the types of mold you may have in your home is not essential. All mold infestations should be treated as health hazards and dealt with immediately.
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Is Vinegar More Effective Than Bleach
Vinegar truly is better than cleaning with bleach when it comes to killing mold. The EPA does not recommend using bleach to kill or remove mold, except in special circumstances. In most cases, a background level of mold spores will remain after the application of bleach.
Bleach only kills surface mold, not the membrane underneath, according to ServiceMaster. That means the mold will grow back. In fact, recognizing the bleach as a threat, the mold will grow back even stronger. When bleach is used on porous surfaces like drywall or wood, mold membranes will move deeper into the surface to avoid the chemical.
The Best Way To Clean Mold Basic Cleaning Recipes
When you set out to start mold remediation, you should take a minimalist approach to your cleaning recipes. Try to use only as much cleaning power as is necessary to get the job done and no more powerful cleaners can harm the surface youre cleaning. Thats why its best to begin any attempt at getting mold out of carpet or other surfaces with a gentle cleaning recipe.
This section covers basic recipes on how to clean mold. Youll discover methods that remove most mold, including black mold, from your concrete, grout, walls, and other areas. Before moving on to stronger mold removers, give a few of these recipes a try. You might wind up taking care of your mold problem without damaging your tiles or siding in the process.
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The Path Of Resistance
Initially, Mikes landlord tried to fix the problem himself, bleaching the moldy walls. We call that spray n’ pray, said Scott Armour of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a global industry body for remediators. They, along with the EPA, advise against bleach for a variety of reasons, namely that fumes can be dangerous and its usually ineffective.
Bleach only works for non-porous surfaces. It cant touch the mold that has burrowed into surfaces like wood or drywall . But the most important reason bleach fails is that people dont stop the molds water supply.
First thing I do is check for leaks, in the bathroom or roof or a crack in the foundation, said Greg Bukowski, who runs the Chicago-based remediation company Moldman USA. Theres always a leak. If you dont fix that, dont bother with bleach or vinegar. Then kill and remove the mold with detergent and water, then prevent its return with mold-resistant paint like Kilz .
When bleach didnt work, Mike paid for an indoor airborne mold test, which raised more questions than it answered. We had no idea how to interpret the results. I just couldnt find any information out there that isnt written by remediation guys, he said. They told him he had the dreaded black mold, and needed professional remediation.
How To Prevent Mold Forming On Wood
If a leak occurs in your home, immediate action is key to prevent mold growth. If you can dry the affected materials within a day or two , chances are mold wont grow. Likewise, its important to promptly investigate the source of any condensation on windows, pipes, or walls. Furthermore, work proactively to reduce moisture and humidity around your home. Keep your gutters and roof in working order, and make sure the ground slopes away from your homes foundation. Verify that appliances are properly venting. And use exhaust fans and dehumidifiers as necessary.
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How Dangerous Is Black Mold In Your House
Many kindsand colorsof mold exist. Stachybotrys, a black mold, has a reputation for being particularly toxic, but it doesnt matter what type of mold youre dealing withall molds found within the house bring with them the possibility of health risks and should be removed immediately.
The most likely places to find mold in the bathroom are in the tile grout, around drains, and on the walls or wallpaper. Keep reading to learn how to treat affected areas and prevent mold from growing in your bathroom in the future.
Getting Rid Of Mold With Baking Soda
From absorbing odors in the fridge to relieving heartburn, baking soda has a multitude of uses around the house including black mold removal. Its safe for your family and pets, and it not only kills black mold, it absorbs moisture that attracts mold.
Add one-quarter of a tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle of water and shake until it has dissolved. Spray the moldy area with the baking soda and water solution, then use a scrub brush to remove mold from the surface. Next, rinse the surface with water to remove any residue and baking soda. Finally, spray the area again and let the surface dry without wiping. This will kill any left-over mold and help prevent the mold from returning.
For really tough black mold removal, mix two parts baking soda with one part white vinegar and one part water. Stir the mixture until it becomes a thick paste. Spread your mixture liberally onto the surface and let it dry. Scrub away the black mold and stains, and wipe down with water.
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How To Prevent Bathroom Mold
What all molds have in common is that constant moisture is required for their existence. Thats why the bathroom is a favorable place for them to thrive. Between the sink and the bathtub or shower, somethings always wetbut there are preventative measures you can take to keep mold from growing.
The key to mold prevention is to control moisture. Make sure the bathroom faucets and valves arent leaking, and the drains arent clogged. Having water that drips constantly or pools in an area of your bathroom is the perfect recipe for mold growth. Repair any leaks in the plumbing or walls. You dont want water hanging around any longer than necessary.
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Grout is extremely susceptible to mold growth because its porous and will trap moisture in. Reapply a grout sealer once a year to preempt mold growth.
Black Mold In The Shower: How To Clean It
One of my nemeses when cleaning the shower or bathroom has been black mold. I cant stand it! And unfortunately for me, I am a bit lazy in the cleaning department, haha. Until I found out about a couple of wonderful methods for cleaning it. Do you have black mold in the shower or bathroom? Time to learn how to clean it right up!
Black mold in the shower or bathroom is notoriously stubborn to clean with normal mold and mild removal sprays, once it has developed over a long period of time. If you keep on top of it, they do a great job keeping that shower tile spotless.
But in the event that you have been lazy in cleaning like me, never fear I have got you covered. In this article, you will learn three ways or products that you can try to clean that black mold in the shower or bathroom or even kitchen tile. Lets get started!
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Is Shower Mold Toxic
Due to the way bathrooms and showers are constructed today, the black mold you see in your shower is less likely to be the really hazardous type of mold. This is because your shower areas and surfaces dont have cellulose which is required for most of the really hazardous types of mold to grow.
That isnot to say that one of the more toxic molds cant ever grow in your shower. Theycan. If you have a bigger issue in your bathroom or home and THOSE spores haveinfiltrated your shower then your shower can become a breeding ground for somereally bad mold. But regular ol mold in the shower usually more allergenicthan anything.
Clean The Washer’s Door Seal
Inspect every nook and cranny of front-load washer door seals to be sure no mold is growing that can leave clothes smelling moldy.
Run a cloth dampened with white vinegar around the door seals and gaskets. You can either disinfect the cloth after use or toss it in case it harbors loosened mold.
Dry the seal and gasket with a dry towel when you are done. Dispose of the paper towels in the garbage.
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What Exactly Is Black Mold
The truth is, theres no single species of black mold out there. Lots of different molds are black in color, but you could never tell what’s what in your home unless you had it tested by a lab .
When people talk about black mold, theyre usually referring toStachybotrys chartarum, a greenish-black mold that can grow on damp building materials, including drywall and fiberboard, explains Kevin Kennedy, Director of the Environmental Health Program at
Cleaning Mildew Vs Cleaning Mold
Mildew and mold are two types of fungus. Mildew tends to be light in color, flat and have a downy or powdery appearance. This form of fungal growth tends to start out white, gray or yellow in color and gradually turn brown or black over the course of the growth cycle.
A simple test can help you distinguish mildew growth from surface grime. Dampen a paper towel with chlorine bleach and dab it onto a spot of discoloration. If the treated area lightens in color over the following hours, you are dealing with mildew rather than dirt.
Chlorine bleach is effective for killing mildew, which does not grow beneath surfaces. Make a solution of one-quarter cup bleach for every gallon, or 16 cups, of water. Calculate the right quantity of bleach solution for cleanup based on the size of the affected area. Scrub growth with brush or sponge. If the first treatment is not effective, try cleaning the area again, increasing the ratio of bleach to water to one-half cup for every gallon.
Mold is another type of fungus that has 100,000 known species, with as many as 300,000 species assumed to exist. Growth that has a fuzzy or slimy texture and spreads across surfaces in a pattern tends to be mold rather than mildew. Mold also grows in a variety of colors, with black, brown, gray and green being the most common colors of fungal growth found indoors.
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Cleaning Mold With Vinegar And Baking Soda
If youve given the basic recipes a shot but still have issues with mold, its time to move on to some more robust cleaning options. There are lots of advanced mold removal solutions you can use to clean away mold that include vinegar, baking soda, or both. Cleaning mold with vinegar and baking soda is easy.
Both products are perfect mid-level mold cleaners and clean mold away without harming the underlying surface. This section looks at advanced cleaning recipes that include the use of baking soda or vinegar.
In this section, youll find fantastic recipes for mold cleaners that take advantage of the cleaning power of these two household superheroes. After trying them for yourself, youll wonder how you managed without them.
Natural Remedies: How To Get Rid Of Black Mold
If you tend to opt for more natural household solutions that are kid- and pet-friendly, use one of these simple remedies:
- Tea tree oilThis natural fungicide is less corrosive than bleach or ammonia and effectively gets rid of mold and mildew in your home. Mix one teaspoon of tea tree oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle, spray the solution on affected areas, and let it sit for several minutes. Wipe the toxic black mold away with a disposable towel.
- Baking sodaFor lighter mold situations, baking soda is a great removal option. Create a 50/50 mix of baking soda and water to form a paste, apply it to the affected area, and let it dry. Scrub the area with a sponge or cleaning brush and wipe away any excess with a paper towel.
- VinegarWhite-distilled vinegar is a cheap and easy solution to get rid of moldand its much safer than bleach or ammonia. Pour vinegar onto a rag and wipe the mold-covered area until the mold has been completely removed.
- Grapefruit seed extractSimilar to tea tree oil, this is a natural and non-toxic way to disinfect, deodorize, and kill mold. Put 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract in a cup of water and spray the moldy area. Allow the solution to soak for 10 minutes and then wipe off any excess debris with an old towel.
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