Excessive shower mold. Help!

1. 77

   Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

   Anyone know how to kill mold that just keeps coming in the shower?
   I suspect the grout and caulking both need to be replaced, but would love a less invasive solution!
   Have tried the OTC "mold and mildew" products (Kaboom! is my current attempt) but they don't get all of it and it keeps coming back with a vengeance.
   
   This is the mold equivalent of an insect infestation!
   
   Anyone dealt with this?
   If I need to call someone in, who? A plumber? Industrial cleaner?
   
   Please HELP!
   
   Thank you.

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   1. 58

      A Troubled Manposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Bleach, or a caustic off the shelf product.

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      1. 77

         Mighty Momposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Thanks, ATM.
         I'll put on my gloves and brush some good old-fashioned bleach on it.
         Still think the caulking needs to be replaced, as water soaking in is not helping!
         
         I'll let you know how it goes!
         MM

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   2. 59

      tammybarnetteposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      MM, I agree with ATM, bleach is always my choice ..,however my oldest daughter moved into an apartment that the more I bleached the more came flowing out from behind the kit shower...it all had to be ripped out...

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   3. 0

      RTalloniposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Professional help may be needed but try spraying full-strength white vinegar on all surfaces including shower curtains after every use of shower/tub for a week or so.  The smell goes away quickly and is better than the health risks of "the growth."  Clean areas as best as you can first, of course.

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   4. 40

      ipadlessonsposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      For best results take 4 parts bleach and 10 parts warm soapy water and wash down area.  Repeat after 4 hours.  Then after make sure the room is ventilated by for example having a window slightly open.  Should do the trick!

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2. 58

   A Troubled Manposted 11 years ago

   I have found that if a bathroom cannot get rid of it's moisture each day, mold will grow. Sometimes, you may wish to put a small heater in your bathroom from time to time to dry it out.
   
   If your towels are wet or damp the next day after using them, you got a problem.

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3. 80

   Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

   In the reading I have done (because of my own problems with household mold) I have seen the advice not to use chlorine bleach. They say that it will not kill the "root" of the mold, but will actually allow or cause it to spread. The bleach is effective for cleaning up the discoloration caused by the mold, but it should be used for that purpose after cleaning up the mold itself.
   
   Try using Borax instead. Make a fairly thick paste of it, apply to the mold, and leave it to sit for a while before washing it off. (Actually, if the mold is bad, you may want to wash or wipe it fairly well before applying the borax paste.)
   
   There are also two specialty products that I like. One is Zyme-Away. Some hardware stores carry it, but you may need to order it as I did. Go to their website to see if they list any stores close to you. There is also some product I have just recently tried that was sold by a door-to-door seller. I have used it on mold growth on my sidewalks, and it is really amazing. I don't remember its name, and I can't look it up right now, but I'll post it later, when I can.

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4. 60

   knolyourselfposted 11 years ago

   Toothbrush or brush grout with bleach. That kills mold. May then want to rinse it good and paint the grout with something water proof, the best being fiber glass but varnish might do. Water proof caulk any gaps first.
   Slop over onto tile is easily wiped off.

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5. 80

   Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

   The second product I mentioned is called Advanage Wonder Cleaner. It works well, but I've read a lot of online accounts of complaints about the salespeople who sell it. A purchaser can bypass that problem by ordering it through eBay or Amazon. It's not cheap, but it is used in a diluted form, and so the exact amount made from the bottle will depend on what dilution is used.

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6. 86

   rebekahELLEposted 11 years ago

   MM, this needs to be addressed, or the mold problem will only increase if behind the shower walls.  I did a search to find non-toxic ways to correct the problem and found this hub by tilecleaninghub!  He covers it in detail, and hopefully it will help!  No comments on this excellent hub! http://tilecleaninghub.hubpages.com/hub … ower-grout
   
   Perhaps you can get his professional advice by leaving a comment on his hub.
   I also found a site about Concrobium.  I've never used it, but perhaps it works. http://www.concrobium.com/faq/

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   1. 79

      Sally's Troveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      What a great find!

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7. 83

   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   Bleach, a dehumidifier, get it total dry and then seal it.

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