What to use to clean the silicone in the shower enclosure?

So that we don’t have to wonder how to remove black mold from silicone, it’s a good idea to take preventive measures right from the start - and that includes cleaning. Mold spreads very quickly, and by wiping the surfaces on which water collects most easily, bigger issues can be prevented. Removing mold covering a large area of silicone as a result of long negligence can prove difficult. Often elementary methods don’t work and eventually all the silicone sealant needs to be replaced.

Although it’s the blooms that draw the most attention, in reality mildew is only an aftermath of the problem. If the silicone is cleaned regularly, we can quicker notice that something troubling is going on, find the cause easier and take appropriate action. The most common causes of mold issues include malfunctioning ventilation and condensation due to insufficient airing. Removing mold blooms is important because black mold in the shower stall spreads easily, and it’s not just about decreased aesthetic value of the bathroom. Mold spores are very harmful to human health. Children, the elderly and people prone to allergies are especially liable to the consequences of presence of mildew.

Shower enclosures, shower trays and the area around the bathtub are the places where water collects most often. Thus, it’s cleaning of these surfaces and the nooks and crannies around them that is particularly important. How to get rid of mold from silicone? Depending on the severity of the problem, either home remedies or specialized products are used. It may also be necessary to replace all the silicone.

When wondering how to remove mold from silicone, we don’t have to look far. In many cases home remedies will work, and the basic products can be found in every kitchen. First of these is vinegar. It’s highly efficient, safe, natural and cheap. Not only will it help us get rid of mold but it’s also gentle for the structure of silicone. The vinegar to water ratio is 1:2. We just need to apply the resulting solution to the silicone, leave it for a little while and wash it down. How to remove fungus in the shower stall when the situation is much more advanced?

If mold on the silicone in the shower tray or by the screens is a bigger issue, a stronger mixture based on water, vinegar and baking soda will work better. Other home remedies include tea oil, which is amazing at dealing with milder mold blooms. It has bactericidal and fungicidal properties. The result will be even better if the oil is combined with baking soda. There are also those who use whitening toothpaste to clean silicone, and this works well, too. Moreover, we can use lemon juice or baking powder, which also help fight the fungus.

If the household members take proper care of the shower enclosure, clean and maintain it regularly, then in most cases the mentioned methods will do the trick. The situation is different when mildew has already spread widely and has been present in the bathroom for a long time. Then specialized products with chlorine, for example, may be necessary. Some people reach for toilet disinfectants, but there are also other products on the market.

We already know what to clean the shower stall silicone with, now let’s think how to proceed. Depending on which of the above solutions we reach for, the procedure will be different. For routine cleaning - when using, for example, a common mild detergent - a sponge or soft cloth will do. In such a case, there’s no risk of scratching the enclosure panes. Likewise, there’s no need to worry about it when using vinegar or lemon water. We just need to wash the surface and wipe it dry.

When there’s actual black mold in the shower stall, we need to prepare a little better and wash the surface more carefully. First, we need to wear gloves to protect our hands from both mold and strong chemicals. When using baking soda, whitening toothpaste or ready-made products containing chlorine, it’s important to remember that they can scratch the glass surface of the shower screen, so particular care should be taken. The best way to do this is to use a toothbrush, as it will allow us to apply the product with precision.

When mold is being removed using stronger products, first we need to clean the surface of dust and everyday dirt, and then apply the product. With stubborn dirt, a better result will be obtained by leaving the agent on the surface for a certain period of time. A quarter of an hour is enough, after which the product should be washed down.

Fungus is a common problem in the bathroom, so it’s worth knowing how to remove black mold from silicone sealant. However, as mentioned before, prevention is better. By taking care of the right microclimate in the bathroom and keeping the shower enclosure clean, we can avoid mold blooms. What to pay special attention to?

Maintaining the right microclimate is essential. There is more humidity in the bathroom than in other rooms, but it shouldn’t go to extremes. Excess humidity leads to moisture buildup, which is difficult to combat. Measures to prevent it include taking care of efficient ventilation, and leaving the bathroom door and window open frequently. When this seems insufficient, gravity ventilation should be supplemented with a fan.

Apart from ventilation, taking care of the cleanliness of the bathroom is important. By washing all sanitary ware and equipment regularly, it’s easy to remove accumulating water and possible mold spores. This must be done with special care in corners and other nooks and crannies. These are perfect places for fungus to grow.

Sometimes it happens that even with knowing what to remove fungus from silicone with and using professional products, it’s not that simple to get rid of it. This is the case in bathrooms that have been neglected for a long time, and the mold has not only spread on the outside of the silicone, but has also penetrated deep into it. Unfortunately, superficial removal of the fungus will only seemingly give satisfactory results. Although the surface looks clean, very soon we may find that the problem returns. What to use to remove mold from silicone in such a case? Probably it won’t be possible, and it’s necessary to replace the silicone with new sealant.

With use, silicone loses its properties and is no longer a guarantee of tightness. It begins to darken, cracks and loses its resistance to water. Although sanitary silicone is a material that should be insusceptible to mildew and fungi, after years it loses its properties, and it’s easier to get unwanted mold blooms. The silicone replacement procedure itself isn’t complicated, and you can do it yourself.

The old sealant can be easily removed with a sharp tool. For this purpose, it’s best to use a pointed knife. This must be done carefully, so as not to damage the bathtub or shower enclosure. A dissolving agent is applied to the silicone residue, which after several minutes, allows us to remove the hard-to-remove bits. There’s quite a big choice of silicone removers and they can be easily found in DIY stores. Then the surface must be washed and dried. Finally, the gap needs to be filled with new sealant, and that’s it.

Knowing how to prevent and remove fungus from silicone, it’s easier to take care of the good appearance and healthy microclimate in the bathroom. All it takes is elementary knowledge, maintenance and systematic care to significantly increase the life of our silicone sealant.