How to remove mold from grout?
ImoutYOUWERENEVERIN
| Posted in General Discussion on
Hi all,
The grout joints in our bathtub/shower have mold. I know the cause (damp environment + lack of light = mold) but how do we remove it? My wife has tried using lysol tub & tile cleaneer, Zep commercial mildew & mold stain remover, and a stiff bristle brush all with no success.
The tile is in very good shape so I want to save it if possible.
Replies
Chlorox.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"If you want something you've never had, do something you've never done"
I'd second the bleach.We have a relatively new tiled bath/shower surround, but the caulk between the tub and tile had gotten fairly black with mildew in a lot of spots. We've cleaned it with a variety of things, but nothing really worked.The other day I was cleaning the toilet with this blue goo stuff with bleach in it. I figured I might as well squirt it all over the shower while I'm at it.Came back 15 minutes later and it was all white again.
Bleach will kill and 'bleach' the mildew stains on the surface of the grout. But it will do nothing for what's underneath. The spores will live on to mold again.
But if all of your grout is moldy, you no doubt have moisture behind the tile. Moldy grout lines are a sure sign of a failed shower surround. You may bleach all you want, but it will always come back..and it will get worse...until you fix the underlying problem.
Yeah, chlorine bleach, assuming that the grout is white. Don't use bleach on colored grout.
Don't splash on gallons of the stuff. For small areas use a Q-tip, and for larger aread a cloth dampened with bleach. Be very careful to not splash onto towels, carpeting, wallpaper, etc.
I had a client that had a shower with bad caulk and some mildew under it.
Also the grout was "dirty" and wanted it replaced.
She had tried bleach and all of the other common cleaners.
I susgested that she get a cleaner specific to grout. Read about this over at John Bridges. Seems that alot of GP cleaners will just move the dirt around.
When I came back two week later to replace the caulk she had used a grount cleaner from Lowes and it looked BRAND NEW.
Don't know now much of that was dirt or mold, but it really cleaned it up.
Try it and then let it dry for a week or so. Helps to have a fan on it.
Then seal it.
No guarantee, but doesn't hurt to try.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
another tip I learned from my Mom ...
for the wall / tub caulk ...
she soaks paper towels in bleach and rolls them up ... then lays them on the caulk.
let that sit ... then come back a coupla hrs later and scrub with more bleach.
saves elbow grease.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I've found that using the Arm&Hammer shower spray is the best way to control mold on caulk. Chlorine bleach damages the surface of the caulk, making it get moldy again even faster.
If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
Thanks to all for the advice.
Use a grout saw ... remove all grout.
Regrout with Laticrete SpectraLok Pro - you'll never have grout stains again ;o)
Jeff
Can I find it at the big box stores?
Not likely. Tile shops.
It's more difficult to do than regular grout, but nearly bulletproof.
Jeff
Lowes has Spectralock.http://www.laticrete.com/Homeowners/FindaLowes/tabid/165/Default.aspx.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
zep grout cleaner is the best for cleaning grout.
thank you so much foe your helps.