Constantly plagued by heat, steam and humidity, the bathroom is the room in the house most conducive to seeing a wave of mold unfurl in every nook and cranny. These famous microscopic fungi that multiply in areas where water condensation is formed. From the walls to the tiles, not forgetting the toilets, mold is a real problem that must be eradicated quickly to avoid the accumulation of bacteria.
Regular cleaning of the bathroom is therefore strongly recommended. It is also necessary to linger in certain precise zones where the molds concentrate more quickly. In particular the seals of the shower: they are the ones that prevent water leaks and allow the sealing of the various elements of the room, such as the sinks, the shower tray or the bathtub. Generally, the most widely used gasket is acetic silicone, which is very suitable for tiles, glass or enamel. Inevitably, over time, the seals end up blackening and molding. Often, when they seem really in poor condition, we systematically think of changing them. But sometimes you don’t have to go that far. By regularly cleaning the joints, with very effective natural methods,
Do you dread spending hours scrubbing your shower joints? Don’t panic, to banish those nasty mold stains that stick to silicone, we are going to offer you some particularly quick and effective remedies.
Baking soda
To remove mold from your shower seal, baking soda is particularly recommended. Indeed, this powerful ingredient is the anti-mold cleaner par excellence, highly acclaimed by our grandmothers, and widely used in the world of household chores.
Just prepare a mixture of one liter of water, 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 3 tablespoons of fine table salt. Mix all the ingredients and pour the solution into a spray bottle.
For a more effective action, you can also add 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide, another very effective degreaser. Spray the mixture on the moldy grout in the shower and let it work for about 10 minutes. Use a toothbrush and scrub the mold stains. Finally, rinse thoroughly with water.
You can repeat the process several times until all unwanted stains are removed.
white vinegar
Like baking soda, you can also count on the disinfecting, stain-removing and deodorizing properties of white vinegar to chase away traces of mold and banish the bad odors it gives off. This natural and biodegradable ingredient is widely used in household cleaning to remove limescale and mold stains.
Prepare a solution of 2 cups of white vinegar in about 2 liters of water. The mixture obtained will also be effective for cleaning bathroom tiles and ceramics.
Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray the joint. Leave on for about 10 minutes, then rinse.
For the guarantee of an optimal result, you can also add two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda which will intervene even more effectively with its abrasive and whitening action.
Finally, use an abrasive or metallic sponge and remove all the black mold.
NB: to avoid the accumulation of mould, we advise you to wipe your joints at least once a week, using a cloth soaked in white vinegar. At each end of application, remember to open your window to ventilate the room. Also make sure that the shower seals always stay dry.
citric acid
Does the strong smell of white vinegar bother you? There is then an even more ecological alternative: the use of citric acid.
This ingredient is also very effective in case of mold stains, thanks to its anti-limestone and whitening properties.
Prepare a solution consisting of one liter of water and 150 g of citric acid. Pour a little of the mixture on the stains and let it act for about 15 minutes. Then use a sponge and rub gently to remove all the dirt.
lemon juice
Another remedy, unexpected but just as effective, to make your silicone seals shine: lemon. This trick is great for removing deeper, more stubborn mold stains from your shower grout . Lemon juice is a natural fungicide that hunts down even the most invisible fungi to the naked eye. As a bonus, it lets out a delicate fresh and lemony scent!
Start by pouring some baking soda directly on the mildew spots. Then wet the seal with hot water and let the baking soda work for about half an hour. In a spray bottle, add water, half a tablespoon of baking soda and the juice of a lemon. Spray a little of this mixture on the stains and then use the abrasive part of a sponge to completely remove the dirt and mildew.
Continue to spray the solution several times until the grout is completely bleached. Impressive result!
NB: you can also whiten the moldy joints with toothpaste. Just take a used brush, apply some white paste and scrub the mold affected area. After rinsing, the silicone will be shiny. However, this trick is only really effective if the seal is not very dirty.
Note
If despite your best efforts, these remedies are not as conclusive as you hoped, perhaps the mold is much more stubborn and more difficult to dislodge. It is better to call on a specialist with more advanced equipment. Above all, do not let the problem drag on, because mold can be toxic and dangerous to your health.
Always use gloves and a mask when cleaning, as mold can be harmful to your health!
