How To Clean Mildew From Shower Grout?

Because of the damp, humid conditions in a shower, we’ll be covering methods for removing mildew from grout in such spaces. Start by donning your safety gear; next are the other stages, which we’ve outlined for you.

What Is Mildew?

Similar to mold, mildew is a fungus that can easily spread. However, unlike mold, its colors are typically pale.

Mildew can be either powdery or downy, depending on the type. Both types of mildew are common to plants, but they can grace your household as well.

If you’re wondering, “How do you treat powdery mildew on ninebark?” because you’ve seen it on your plants, here’s what you should do. To read more about this, please visit the linked article. In order to understand the next steps, please refer to the linked article.

Mold is typically considered to be somewhat dangerous, while mildew is considered to be much less dangerous. Its effects on health and on buildings are less severe than those of mold.

For this reason, mildew is typically less of a headache than mold. Whereas mold infection requires professional cleaning and removal services, mildew problems at home can be handled by the average homeowner.

However, mold and mildew can coexist if neglected for too long. That’s a tricky situation, and depending on the level of contamination, you could need expert assistance.

Preventing Mildew on Shower Grout Before It Starts

Most of us would never consider to reseal the grout in our showers. Mildew and mold can grow in the tiny crevices and cracks that are inevitable results of normal wear and tear.

If this is the case, read on for some suggestions on how to restore your bathroom’s grout to its original condition, spotless and grout-free.

Are there any preventative steps I can take to stop mildew from forming in between tiles in the first place?

Yes! Applying sealant or caulking between tiles in the shower is a great technique to prevent mildew from growing there. After a year or two of use, reapplying caulking around the tub’s edges or putting a coat of sealer between tile grout can cover up any openings and make it harder for mildew to grow.

For a homemade, no-scrub shower cleaning, spray the walls and floor with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water after each use. Doing this for a minute or less a few times a week reduces the likelihood of mildew growth dramatically.

How Does Mildew Grow on Shower Grouts?

The presence of moisture is usually the cause of mildew. However, water isn’t enough for its survival.

The right temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels are also required for growth. Mildew, like mold, spreads via spores, which travel to suitable locations and multiply there.

Mold and mildew can easily form in the grout of a shower because it is continually wet. In addition, they get dirty because they aren’t cleaned and dried often.

Mold and mildew thrive on dirt, so it’s no surprise that this buildup promotes their proliferation. Mildew grows and spreads throughout your shower as a result of the water exposure and filth buildup.

Steps To Clean Mildew From Shower Grouts

Mildew is less dangerous than mold, but it’s still not good for you. It can still trigger allergic reactions, and it might even promote mold growth.

Homeowners often find mold development frustrating since the fungus really eats away at the surface it’s growing on, rendering the area useless. Without restoration or replacement following mold exposure, the structure will likely be compromised.

Mildew and mold growth must be resisted at all costs. The following procedures can be used to exterminate them if they have already infested your home.

Step #1. Put on protective gear

When dealing with common home fungi, it’s important to wear protective clothing. Because of the potential for mold and mildew contact to trigger skin sensitivities and respiratory issues, personal protective equipment is essential.

Don a face mask, safety goggles, and rubber gloves first. Next, make sure there is nothing in the way of your job by clearing it out.

We also recommend sorting mildew-contaminated things from the rest of your storage. If mildew appears on these objects, there’s no need to throw them out right away because you can remove it with ease.

Step #2. Remove soap scum

The first step in cleaning your shower is to eliminate the grime buildup on the grout. Here is a guide on how to clean your shower without using harsh chemicals.

Cleaning shower grout requires removing soap scum, which also helps loosen mold and mildew growth. Mildew-affected areas should then be washed with warm water and allowed to dry.

Step #3. Use A Mild Cleaner

Mildew can be removed using either common household materials or a commercially available treatment. It’s not hard to find CLR mold and mildew remover for business products thanks to this article.

The product’s efficacy is discussed in greater detail in the aforementioned article on mold and mildew cleaners. However, it’s perfectly acceptable to use all-natural ingredients instead.

Tea tree oil can be used to remove mildew from shower grout. Spray the afflicted area with a mixture of water and tea tree oil.

In order to get the most out of the tea tree oil, it is best to let the mixture sit for an hour before spraying again. However, this time, scrub the mildew off the tiles using a toothbrush.

The mildew spots may be scrubbed away, and the antimicrobial properties of the tea tree oil will prevent any further growth of mildew.

What Are The Ways To Prevent Mildew Growth?

Getting rid of mildew buildup in shower grouts is an effective method of preventing further mildew growth. Mildew and mold are attracted to this accumulation because it serves as a food supply for them.

Moreover, take preventative measures to ensure your house stays dry. Mildew growth is just one of several problems caused by water damage.

How to Clean Shower Grout Mildew in 4 Steps or Less

Try one or more of these solutions to save time and effort while cleaning the walls or the floor of a shower. Gloves should be used for hand protection.

1. Clean Soap Scum from Tiles First

The first thing you should do is use a no scrub shower cleaning approach to wipe down your shower. A squeegee or some paper towels and some clean water are all that’s needed to remove the soap film or grime from the shower tiles.

To clean the spaces in between the grout lines, use a soft bristle scrub brush. If there are stubborn oily films that just won’t come off with some good old fashioned hot water, try adding some lemon juice.

As the excess soap scum is removed and the mildew spores are loosened, the grout becomes simpler to scrub clean of mildew and filth. Tiles should be washed with warm water and allowed to dry before being cleaned again.

2. Remove Mildew from Grout Using Mild Cleaners

There are a few different approaches you can take while cleaning your shower, depending on the severity of the mildew growth. The grout in the shower can be cleaned by spraying it with white vinegar and letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before being scrubbed.

Hydrogen peroxide can stand in for vinegar because it has a similar pH and pH level but a stronger bleaching impact. Both of these options are great for cleaning ceramic tile and can even be used to clean vinyl siding at home.

The following is a recipe for using tea tree oil to clean grout, eliminate stains, and eliminate soap scum. Whether you’re trying to prevent mold growth or get rid of existing mildew, tea tree oil is an excellent choice.

Tea Tree Oil Shower Tile Cleaning

• Two tablespoons of tea tree oil
• Two glasses’ worth
• To spray or not to spray?
• Brush and toothpaste that have seen better days

Fill a standard spray bottle halfway with water and then add the two teaspoons of tea tree oil. If you want to make sure the ingredients are properly mixed, give the mixture a good shake. Apply the spray, and then leave the area to soak for about an hour.

One hour after the initial application, reapply the spray and use an old toothbrush to scrub the tile grout. You may avoid hard water stains by rinsing and drying properly.

This is a great option for cleaning the grout in your shower, and it may be mixed with other essential oils to boost their effectiveness. Shower doors can also be easily cleaned with these products.

3. The Very Best Way to Clean Shower Tile Mildew with Set-in Stains

If the mold in your shower still persists after using vinegar and tea tree oil, you might try another DIY solution: baking soda. When a mildew stain just won’t go away, this grout cleaning is the way to go. Cleaning a mildewed or moldy shower curtain is as easy as tossing it in the washing machine with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.

Baking Soda Paste for Cleaning Grout

• The equivalent of three cups of baking soda
• Just one cup of water
• Use a bristle brush or your tooth brush.

To begin, combine the baking soda and water into a thick paste using a blender or food processor. Baking soda paste should be applied to the walls of the shower, working into the grout lines. Use a toothbrush to work the paste into the grout lines and any nooks and cracks.

Then, after the bubbling has subsided, spritz some vinegar over the baking soda paste. Continue scrubbing the tile grout after the fizzing stops until it is completely clean. Use fresh water to wash and pat dry.

4. Cleaning Mold from Grout Using Chlorine Bleach

Mildew can be removed with a chlorine bleach like Clorox, but for more tenacious spots, you may need to use something stronger. Black mold can be killed with chlorine bleach, but a specialist should be consulted to make sure the problem is solved permanently.

Make sure there is no leftover vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, or other cleaning product in the tub before you begin. Using chlorine bleach on your shower walls without first flushing out all of the previous cleaners can lead to the production of a hazardous gas, so it’s best to start from scratch.

To eliminate mold in the shower, fill a spray bottle with water and bleach in equal parts. For your own protection and for future reference, please label the bottle. Let the bleach solution remain for about 15 minutes on the shower grout before scrubbing.

Using a bristle brush and some elbow grease, thoroughly scrub the grout lines to remove any mildew. Mildew may be removed from practically any surface using this cleaning solution, but if you want to prevent bleaching, you can also use oxygen bleach.

Shower tile and grout cleaning shouldn’t take all day. Even though we have given you four great new techniques to clean your tile grout, you might not need them all depending on the level of cleaning required. The good news is that you can always refer back to these cleaning suggestions.

Don’t keep this information to yourself; if you found this article helpful, please consider sharing it on social media with your friends and family who may also be interested in learning how to rid their bathrooms of mildewy shower grout.

How Can I Clean Mildew from Grout?

Moist places, like restrooms, are perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew. While mildew can be easily scrubbed off of tile, it can be a major pain to get out of grout. It can be done by hand with some elbow grease, a scrub brush, and some dishwashing liquid. Other green cleaning options include baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. In the end, it’s best to start over with new grout.

To get rid of mildew in grout, you can do the following:

• Use a toothbrush or scrubbing brush and your preferred cleaning solution to eliminate the mold. The use of a commercial grout cleaner or a natural mold-killing agent like borax, ammonia, or baking soda is also viable options.
• If you want to use baking soda to clean the grout, mix it with water to produce a paste, then scrub it in. Spray the grout with water after it has sat for at least 10 minutes (or as long as two hours if the grout is extremely unclean). Scrub, then rinse and hang to dry.
• Remaining mildew stains on grout can be removed with oxygen bleach, chlorine bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. Apply the cleaning solution to the grout, let it sit for a while (at least a few minutes), and then wipe it up. If this is unsuccessful, apply the solution again and follow up with a thorough rinsing. Paper towels soaked in bleach can be stuck to the grout for a more effective cleaning. The discoloration should be gone by morning.
• In the event that other measures fail, try cleaning or replacing the grout. If the grout is unclean, use a flat screwdriver to remove it before applying new grout.
• Reduce the humidity in the bathroom to thwart future outbreaks of mildew and mold. After getting out of the shower, let some fresh air in by opening a window, running a dehumidifier, or turning on a fan. Also, after you get out of the shower, sprinkle the grout with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water.

Check out our blog for the top 10 mold prevention tips and more efficient mold cleanup advice. Mold, water, and fire damage repair services are available through your neighborhood PuroClean office.

Conclusion

To sum up, the final stage in the process of removing mildew stains from shower grout is to scrape at the affected areas. To prevent new mildew spores from returning to your workplace, you must also allow it to dry completely.