4 Easy Methods Of Removing Mold From Shower Grout Naturally
You may have a little amount of mold and mildew if you see any black patches developing in your shower. Although mold growth in your bathroom is perfectly typical, it nevertheless makes your grout appear a little soiled. Although bleach and other cleansers do a great job of cleaning it, they include harsh chemicals that might irritate the skin or cause breathing problems. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to remove mold from shower grout. We'll go through a few common household items you can use to get rid of the mold and how to do it safely.
Method 1: Using Vinegar
- Undiluted white vinegar should be sprayed on the mold. The acidity of vinegar is sufficient to instantly kill mold. Similar to what you would use in the kitchen, put white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle. For the finest coverage, directly apply the undiluted vinegar to the grout and tiles of your shower. Although vinegar has a strong smell, it dissipates as it dries. To keep your bathroom smelling fresh, try adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the spray bottle if the fragrance bothers you.
- Give the vinegar an hour to dry. During this period, the vinegar will deeply penetrate the mold to destroy microorganisms and facilitate removal. You can proceed to the following step as soon as your shower tiles feel dry once more.
- Use warm water to rinse the surface. Wipe the surface with water-dampened cloth. It should be simple to remove the mold from the grout. As soon as you notice no more mold growing between your tiles, thoroughly clean the entire area. If your shower head is detachable, you may simply use it to spray the shower tiles and remove the mold.
- For obstinate mold, scrub the grout with a soft-bristled brush. To reach the grout lines, use an old toothbrush or a cleaning brush with soft bristles. Apply light pressure and make your best effort to scrape any residual mold off. To assist you break it down, you might need to spritz a little bit more vinegar or water on the affected area.
- Reapply vinegar to your shower to stop mold growth. Maintain a spray bottle of vinegar in your bathroom since it also serves to prevent mold from returning. Apply a last even layer of vinegar to your tiles, then wait for it to thoroughly dry. Apply vinegar again as a recommended preventative precaution after each shower.
Method 2: Using Baking Soda
- Make a thin paste by combining water and baking soda. 2 cups (470 ml) of water and 1 tablespoon (15 g) of baking soda should be combined in a bowl. When the baking soda has entirely dissolved in the water or when a paste has formed, stir the mixture together. While this mixture is fully effective against mold on its own, you can increase its cleaning power and improve the fragrance by adding roughly 20 drops of lemon or orange essential oils. A paste made of water and baking soda is mildly abrasive. Use vinegar instead of water if you need something a little stronger because it will cause the baking soda to bubble and will help to remove tough mold.
- Utilizing a soft-bristled brush, work the paste into the grout. Gently scrub the grout between your shower tiles by dipping a cleaning brush into the baking soda paste. The baking soda will remove the mold and deodorize your shower, getting rid of the musty smell. Scrub continuously until all of the mold has been removed. An old toothbrush may be able to help you access mold in those hard-to-reach places if your grout lines are really small.
- Utilize a damp towel to remove the paste off the tile. Warm water should be used to dampen a non-abrasive towel before gently rubbing all of the tiles you just cleaned. The cloth will assist in removing any remaining paste and dismantling any remaining mold on the surface.
Method 3: Using Hydrogen Peroxide
- Test hydrogen peroxide on a small area to see for discoloration. Take a little amount of hydrogen peroxide and apply it into a discrete area of your tiles because it can lighten or discolor materials. Before inspecting the tile again, give the hydrogen peroxide about a day to dry. You can use the peroxide without risk if it is the same hue. Use a new cleaning technique if the color changes to avoid ruining the appearance of your shower.
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% should be sprayed on the tile. The most effective concentration for destroying mold is 3%, so look for it at your neighborhood convenience shop. Pour the peroxide into a spray bottle if it isn't already there to make application simpler. Apply the peroxide evenly to the tile grout and surfaces. When not in use, keep hydrogen peroxide in an opaque bottle or a dark cupboard since sunlight reduces its effectiveness.
- Give the peroxide 10 to 15 minutes to sit. Leave the peroxide alone so it can reach the mold's roots because it takes a few minutes for it to start working. The mold should be loose enough to be removed easily after about 10 minutes.
- Utilizing a damp towel or sponge, scrub the grout. Use warm water to wet a rag or an abrasive sponge. To loosen the mold and remove it from your tiles, gently walk over the grout and apply even pressure. If you're having any trouble getting the mold off the grout, try sprinkling some baking soda on your towel. It might function a little bit better when combined with the hydrogen peroxide.
- To get rid of any mold spores, sponge-clean the tiles. When cleaning the mold, use a different sponge or towel from the one you just used. One last time, go over all of your tiles with it wet under warm water. This will prevent any spores that are still on the surface from re-infecting your shower.
Method 4: Trying Essential Oils
- Spray bottle water and tea tree or citrus seed oil together. Mold can be effectively removed with citrus seed oils like lemon or grapefruit as well as tea tree oil. In a glass spray bottle, mix 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of your essential oil with 2 cups (470 ml) of water. To make sure the mixture is completely incorporated, shake the bottle. You can get essential oils from your neighborhood drugstore or online. Citrus seed extracts don't have a strong scent like tea tree oil does. Always dilute essential oils before usage as they might irritate skin if they come into contact with it.
- Spray the mold with the solution directly. Apply a thick layer of your cleaning solution with your spray bottle to the shower grout. To ensure that the solution is as effective as possible, make sure to completely soak the mold. Keep any pets away from the cleaning area because essential oils can be dangerous to animals if they consume or inhale them.
- Allow the solution to fully dry. The hazardous germs and mold spores will be completely eliminated as the oils sit on the mold. Allow the solution to dry completely for about an hour.
- With a rag, remove any extra mold. Even while you don't need to rinse the solution off, giving the surface one more wipe can help get rid of any visible mold patches. Before gently scrubbing your grout, wet a rag and wring it out. Eliminate as much mold as you can. You can always reapply the essential oil solution to the grout and wait for it to dry.