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If you notice any dark spots growing in your shower, you might be dealing with a little bit of mold and mildew. It’s completely normal for mold to grow in your bathroom, but it still makes your grout look a little dirty. Even though bleach and other cleaners work really well to clean it, they have harsh chemicals that cause irritation when you breathe them in or get them on your skin. Luckily, there are a lot of ways to clean mold in shower grout naturally. We'll go over a few different household products you can use to kill the mold and how you can stay safe doing it!
Steps
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Spray undiluted white vinegar onto the mold. Vinegar is acidic enough to kill the mold on contact. [1] X Expert Source Mike Kapur
Certified Mold Assessor & Home Inspector, Sonic Home Inspections Expert Interview. 19 August 2020. Fill a spray bottle with white distilled vinegar just like what you’d use in the kitchen. Apply the undiluted vinegar right onto your shower tiles and grout to get the best coverage. [2] X Research source- Vinegar has a strong odor, but it will disappear as it dries. If the smell bothers you, try adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the spray bottle to keep your bathroom smelling fresh.
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Let the vinegar dry for 1 hour. Over this time, the vinegar will penetrate deep into the mold to kill bacteria and make it easier to remove. Once your shower tiles feel dry again, you can move on to the next step. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Rinse the surface with warm water. Wet a cloth with water and wipe the surface. The mold should easily lift up from the grout. Clean off the entire surface until you don’t see any more mold between your tiles. [4] X Research source
- If you have a removable shower head, you can just use that to spray the shower tiles and rinse off the mold.
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Scrub the grout with a soft-bristled brush for stubborn mold. Use a soft-bristled cleaning brush or an old toothbrush to get into the grout lines. Apply gentle pressure and try to scrape the remaining mold off as best as you can. You may need to spray a little more vinegar or water on the surface to help you break it down.
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Spray your shower with vinegar again to prevent mold growth. Vinegar also works to keep mold from coming back, so keep a spray bottle in your bathroom. Finish up by applying another even layer of vinegar to your tiles and letting it dry completely. [5] X Research source
- Reapply vinegar after each time you shower as a good preventative measure.
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Mix baking soda and water into a thin paste. Combine 2 cups (470 ml) of water in a bowl with 1 tablespoon (15 g) of baking soda. Stir the mixture together until the baking soda completely dissolves in the water or until it forms a paste. [6] X Expert Source Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner Expert Interview. 16 May 2019.- While this mixture is completely effective against mold on its own, you can add about 20 drops of lemon or orange essential oils to make it smell better and for extra cleaning power.
- Water and baking soda create a slightly abrasive paste. If you need something a little stronger, try using vinegar instead of water since it will make the baking soda fizz and loosen up stubborn mold.
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Scrub the paste into the grout with a soft-bristle brush. Dip the bristles of a cleaning brush into the baking soda paste, and then gently scour the grout between your shower tiles. The baking soda will break apart the mold and deodorize your shower so it doesn’t have a musty odor anymore. Keep scrubbing until you remove all of the mold. [7] X Research source
- If you have really small grout lines, an old toothbrush could help you reach mold in those tight spots.
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Wipe the paste off of the tile with a wet towel. Dampen a non-abrasive towel with warm water and gently go over all of the tiles you just cleaned. The towel will help clean off any residual paste as well as break apart any mold that’s still left on the surface. [8] X Research source
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Spot-test hydrogen peroxide to check for discoloration. Since hydrogen peroxide can lighten or discolor materials, take a small amount and rub it onto an inconspicuous spot on your tiles. Wait about a day for the hydrogen peroxide to dry before checking the tile again. If it’s the same color, then you can safely use the peroxide. [9] X Research source
- If the color changes, then use a different cleaning method so you don’t ruin the look of your shower.
- Reader Poll: We asked 287 wikiHow readers which chemical solution they prefer to use to clean mold, and only 10% of them said 3% hydrogen peroxide. [Take Poll] While peroxide can be effective at removing mold, other cleaners may work better.
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Spray 3% hydrogen peroxide onto the tile. Look for a 3% concentration at your local convenience store since it’s the most effective at killing mold. If it’s not already in a spray bottle, pour the peroxide into one so it’s easier to apply. Evenly coat your grout and tiles with the peroxide. [10] X Research source
- Sunlight makes hydrogen peroxide less potent, so store it in an opaque bottle or a dark cabinet when you aren’t using it.
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Let the peroxide sit for 10–15 minutes. Since it takes a few minutes for the peroxide to take effect, leave it alone so it can penetrate down to the mold’s roots. After about 10 minutes, the mold should be loose enough to easily remove. [11] X Research source
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Scrub the grout with a damp rag or sponge. Wet a rag or an abrasive sponge under warm water. Gently go over the grout and apply even pressure to loosen the mold and remove it from your tiles. [12] X Research source
- If you’re having a little trouble removing the mold, try sprinkling a little baking soda onto your rag and wiping your grout again. Combined with the hydrogen peroxide, it may work a little better.
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Wipe the tiles with a damp sponge to remove any mold spores. Use a different sponge or rag than the one you just used to clean the mold. Wet it under warm water and go over all of your tiles one last time. That way, any spores that are still left on the surface won’t grow back in your shower. [13] X Research source
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Mix tea tree or citrus seed oil in a spray bottle with water. Both tea tree oil and citrus seed oil, such as lemon or grapefruit, work really well to clean mold. Combine 2 teaspoons (9.9 ml) of your essential oil with 2 cups (470 ml) of water in a glass spray bottle. Shake up the bottle to ensure the solution is thoroughly mixed. [14] X Research source
- You can buy essential oils online or from your local pharmacy.
- Tea tree oil has a strong odor, while citrus seed extracts do not.
- Essential oils can cause irritation if they touch your skin, so always dilute before using.
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Spray the solution directly onto the mold. Use your spray bottle to apply a generous layer of your cleaning solution to the shower grout. Make sure you saturate the mold completely so the solution is the most effective. [15] X Research source
- Essential oils may be harmful to pets if they ingest or inhale them, so keep any animals away while you’re cleaning.
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Let the solution dry completely. As the oils sit on the mold, they’ll kill the harmful bacteria and spores down to the roots. Wait about an hour for the solution to dry completely. [16] X Research source
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Wipe away the excess mold with a rag. While you don’t have to rinse the solution off, wiping the surface one last time can help remove any noticeable mold patches. Get a rag damp and wring it out before gently wiping your grout. Try to get rid of as much mold as you can. [17] X Research source
- You can always spray your essential oil solution back onto your grout and let it dry again.
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Wear gloves and goggles. Even though most mold that grows in your shower isn’t toxic, it can still cause irritation or allergic reactions if you come into contact with it. Put on a pair of rubber gloves a well as a pair of safety goggles that completely cover your eyes. [18] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to source
- Avoid touching any mold or mildew with your bare hands since it contains bacteria that could cause infections.
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Put on a mask to protect yourself. If you have a mask or respirator, wear it while cleaning the grout so you don't inhale any mold spores.
- Symptoms of a mold allergy include sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes or throat, and shortness of breath. If you continue having symptoms after being exposed to mold, see a doctor. [19] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Open windows or turn on a fan to ventilate your bathroom. Mold spores are airborne, so they’re probably floating around your bathroom while you clean it. Crack the window in your bathroom if you have one so you can let in some fresh air. Otherwise, you can run the ventilation fan to clear out the spores. [20] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
- If there’s a lot of moisture in the air, run a dehumidifier as well to help dry out your bathroom.
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Expert Q&A
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Tips
- Keep your bathroom clean, dry, and well-ventilated so you can prevent mold from coming back. [21] X Expert Source Ashley Matuska
Professional Cleaner Expert Interview. 16 May 2019.Thanks
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Warnings
- Mold can cause allergic reactions and asthma attacks. [22] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to sourceThanks
- If the mold covers more than 10 square feet (0.93 m 2 ) in your bathroom, contact a professional mold cleaning service to take care of it for you. [23] X Trustworthy Source United States Environmental Protection Agency Independent U.S. government agency responsible for promoting safe environmental practices Go to sourceThanks
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Things You’ll Need
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Respirator
- Spray bottle
- Soft-bristle brush
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning grout, check out our in-depth interview with Ashley Matuska .
References
- ↑ Mike Kapur. Certified Mold Assessor & Home Inspector, Sonic Home Inspections. Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/does-vinegar-kill-mold/
- ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/what-kills-mold/
- ↑ https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-can-vinegar-prevent-mold
- ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 16 May 2019.
- ↑ https://www.ci.desoto.tx.us/DocumentCenter/View/11555/Homeowners-Guide-to-Stains-Rings-Discoloration-and-Mineral-Deposits
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/pink-mold-in-shower/
- ↑ https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-can-vinegar-prevent-mold
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/what-kills-mold/
- ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/what-kills-mold/
- ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
- ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/what-kills-mold/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/what-kills-mold/
- ↑ https://www.beyondtoxics.org/wp-content/uploads/GreatNaturalMoldCleaners-Instead-of-Bleach.pdf
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home#tab-4
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22309-mold-allergy
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/mold-health/media/Homeowners_and_Renters_Guide.pdfl
- ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 16 May 2019.
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home#tab-2
- ↑ https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-cleanup-your-home
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