How To Get Rid Of Black Mold In Shower | 3 Easy Techniques
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Among the types of fungus and mildew we have to deal with in our household, black mold is probably the most harmful and injurious to human health. Along with being concerned and cleaning our house regularly, knowing how to remove black mold is equally important to ensure a healthy lifestyle.
Contents
What Causes Black Mold in Shower
Before we can get into cleaning, we need to learn what causes black mold in the shower in the first place. Mold and fungi can grow in your house because of a number of reasons. But the most common of them is moisture and humidity.
Since showers and bathrooms have the highest chance of moisture due to the constant use of water, it is ideal for black mold to grow in the shower.
On the other hand, humidity tends to increase in bathrooms often because of the evaporation of water. Steam from a hot bath can also make the shower more humid than usual.
Since showers aren’t usually well-ventilated, it takes a long time for the water to dry and the vapor tends to hang around the wet surfaces. Combining them all, it’s an inviting situation for the molds to grow; especially black mold.
You can check for black mold in your shower by looking in your basin, bathtub, shower, drains, tiles, and grout. These are the places where water runs the most and increases the black mold’s growing possibility.
You can also read: How to remove mold from shower curtain
3 Easy Techniques on How to Get Rid of Black Mold in Shower
There are a few techniques and cleaning methods on how to get rid of black mold in the shower which are incredibly effective. In the following section, we are going to talk about them one by one and provide proper guidelines.
Techniques 1: Using Vinegar to Remove Black Mold in Shower
Vinegar is very popular and one of the easiest-to-get cleaning solutions to kill off black mold in the shower. To use vinegar, gather a few things first.
- Rubber gloves
- White vinegar
- Spray bottle
- Scrub brush
White vinegar is a great non-toxic mold-killing agent on various surfaces. Wear rubber gloves, pour vinegar directly into your spray bottle, and apply it over the mold-affected area in your shower. It could be the basin, shower drain, tiles, or anywhere else. After you’re done with spraying, let it sit for a few minutes to work.
Afterward, scrub the area with a brush and clean the surface. It should effectively kill off the black mold in the quickest possible way. You don’t necessarily have to rinse the surface after you’re done cleaning.
Techniques 2: Using Borax to Remove Black Mold in Shower
Borax is a natural disinfectant, fungicide, and a great cleaning agent to get rid of black mold in the shower. Take notes on the necessities:
- Borax
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Rubber gloves
- Scrub brush
Mix one cup of borax with a gallon of water to create an effective DIY cleaning agent. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and simply spray the black mold area in your bathroom, it should do the trick. Don’t rinse or wipe away the borax, let it sit to further prevent black mold from growing.
For a stubborn moldy situation, use a scrub brush to scrape the area after you have applied the borax. Remember to wear rubber gloves every time you are dealing with black mold because it is toxic and therefore, can be harmful if ingested.
Techniques 3: Remove Black Mold with Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a non-toxic, inexpensive, and powerful anti-bacterial cleaning agent that can effectively remove black mold in your shower. It can be found in your local drugstore, and you can use hydrogen peroxide on any moldy surfaces other than your shower as well.
You will need:
- Rubber gloves
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Scrub brush
Combine 1 part of 3% hydrogen peroxide (as it is found in one bottle) with 2 parts of water to create an effective mold cleaning agent. Wear rubber gloves when you are using hydrogen peroxide because it can potentially harm human skin. Once you have produced the desired cleaner, pour it into a spray bottle for use.
Apply the hydrogen peroxide over the mold-affected surface in your shower. Leave it for a few minutes to work, then scrub the area with a brush to clean off the fungus and kill black mold. Afterward, rinse with water and dry the area.
You may be interested in: What causes mold in the bathroom ceiling
How to Remove Black Mold From Shower Grout
Shower grout is one of the most common places where black mold can grow in a bathroom. However, you can use the methods we have already mentioned to successfully kill off molds in the shower grout.
For a more effective solution in case of a difficult moldy situation and get rid of black mold from shower grout, read the following section.
If the fungus has spread too much in the shower grout and can’t be dealt with regular DIY solutions, you can turn to bleach. Bleach is a very potent disinfectant and a toxic substance that has to be used carefully. So with the obvious things, gather a few safety gears as well.
- Rubber gloves
- Respirator
- Bleach
- Water
- Spray bottle
- A small brush/Toothbrush
Wear rubber gloves and respirators before you start dealing with the black mold vs bleach fight. The respirator is essential because bleach tends to release toxic fumes. So along with everything, make sure the shower’s ventilation system is taken care of. When you are ready, mix 1 part bleach with 10 parts of water to create your powerful cleaning agent.
Pour the solution into a spray bottle and apply it to the mold-affected grout of the bathroom. Let it work for a few minutes, then use a small toothbrush to scrub and clean off the black mold. Any type of fungi shouldn’t last after you have followed this method.
Once the black mold is gone, rinse the area and dry it. Remember, you can use bleach to kill black mold in other sections of the shower as well.
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How Do I Clean Black Mold in Shower Silicone?
Among all of the miseries, remedies, and guidelines, many people ask this; How to get rid of black mold in shower caulk?
Shower caulk, also called shower silicone or shower sealant, is one place mold and fungi love to grow. And it gets worse because black mold doesn’t just grow in there, it settles and absorbs into the shower silicone because of the place’s rubbery type surface.
Nonetheless, you can clean black mold in shower silicone using vinegar to kill black mold, using hydrogen peroxide, or applying bleach. For further solutions, you can also remove black mold in shower caulk with Ammonia.
Yes, ammonia can be a powerful cleaning agent with a little tweak to make it safer for use.
You will need:
- Rubber gloves
- Respirator
- Ammonia
- Water
- Spray bottle
- Small brush
- Paper towels
Before anything, keep in mind that ammonia is a powerful toxic substance and it should be treated with extra caution. So wear gloves and a respirator first, and make sure the shower is as ventilated as possible.
Combine equal parts of ammonia and water into a spray bottle, and mix them well to create your DIY cleaning solution. Spray the mixture over the caulk area affected by black mold. After you have covered the whole area of fungus, let the ammonia solution work for at least 15 minutes.
Once you’re done, use a small brush or a toothbrush to scrub the area to kill black mold. Know that ammonia is a potent cleaner and thus, it can have effects on porous surfaces like shower caulk. So be careful about this part of the cleaning process and gently scrub the moldy area. Afterward, use paper towels to wipe clean the surface to remove everything.
If black mold has penetrated too deep into the shower silicone (there is a chance if the mold has been sitting for a long time), it may become impossible to clean it with any of the solutions.
In that case, our recommendation is to remove and replace the caulk with a new application. You can easily get caulk tubes in your local supermarket, or you can take professional help.
Tip: Repeat whichever process you are using to get rid of the black mold if it doesn’t work with a single try.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What kills black mold in a shower?
You can use Hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or baking soda to remove the stubborn black mold that builds up in the shower. They are non-toxic but effective mold cleaners. Hydrogen peroxide is both antifungal and antibacterial.
As a result, it can remove all the black mold almost instantly. On the other hand, baking soda doesn’t only eliminate but also stops future mold growth in that area.
Is the black mold in my shower toxic?
Yes, it is hazardous and toxic. It can cause multiple allergic reactions, breathing issues, and respiratory problems. Sometimes, the allergic reaction can be so severe that you might even have to go to emergencies.
Does vinegar kill black mold in the shower?
Yes, this natural substance is an amazing mold killer. You can use white vinegar to clean and eliminate the stubborn mold from your shower. Just pour the vinegar on the black mold and leave it for 1 hour. Then wipe it with clean water, and they will be all gone.
Can I leave the vinegar on the mold overnight?
You can, but leaving it overnight won’t do anything beneficial. To clean the mold, leave the vinegar for an hour and then wipe the area with a cloth. Thus, you will get a clean surface.
Wrapping Up
Toxic black mold can have serious consequences on human health if not treated properly. Learn about the symptoms and effects of black mold and follow our recommendations to deal with these common toxic substances in your shower.
Furthermore, you can read about the ways to get rid of black mold in your house and prevent mold growth anywhere in your residence.
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