In this article, we will be sharing with you all How to Remove Mold from Silicone Caulking. Molds are indeed one of the gross stuffs you will ever encounter. They are also very common in moist environments like a bathroom or kitchen.
Molds need to be controlled and removed as they are not just gross, but also harmful for the health. Here we have included different types of chemicals that you can use to remove Mold from Silicone Caulking.
Reasons for Mold in Silicone
Of course there is a reason why molds are growing in silicone.
- Moisture – Moisture is one of the main reasons for mold growth. This is because molds depend on oxygen and moisture for their growth. Moisture is generally found in bathroom and the kitchen. And other items in these places like soap in bathroom further contribute to the growth of mold.
- Improper Ventilation – Poor Ventilation is a reason for mold growth as low light can contribute in the growth of molds. Before molds, you will see a mildew buildup.
- Improper or No Maintenance – Indeed no maintenance can add to the growth of mold. You will need to check the moisture in your house to stop mold growth. Proper cleaning will reduce such chances of molds.
How to Remove Mold from Silicone Caulking?
Given below is a detailed guide on how to Remove Mold from Silicone Caulking using different chemicals and materials. You can use any of the below mentioned chemical like borax, baking soda, vinegar, etc. Most of these or least some are easily available in any household.
A very common mistake people make while removing mold is using a mixture of ammonia and bleach. Never mix these two. Mixing them can produce toxic fumes which will be very harmful for your health. You can use them separately to remove mold but not together.
Note – To remove mold, we will be using different types of chemicals like ammonia, bleach, etc. and thus, it can be a little risky to use such chemicals. We would recommend you to use safety materials like respirators, gloves, safety wear, etc. We also recommend you to open all the windows and doors for a better circulation of air.
1. Remove Mold using Bleach
Bleaching is one of the most effective ways of removing mold. First of all see that the area you are in is aerated. To remove mold from silicone caulking using bleach, mix one part of bleach with one gallon of water. Mix this solution well and then apply it to the mold area.
You can use funnels to pour this mixture in spray bottles to make the process easier. Let the solution set on the caulk for at least 20 minutes. After that you can rinse it using water. Using a sponge to scrub and clean the mold will be more helpful.
2. Use Baking Soda to remove Mold from Silicone Caulking
Baking Soda is another magical ingredient that can help you get rid of molds. This is also easily available in most of the households and thus can be a quick solution to your molds problem.
All you need to do is take a quarter tablespoon of baking soda and then add water and pour this mixture in the spray bottle and shake it well. Now spray this mixture on the caulk where you see the mold. After spraying, rinse it using water.
If you do not feel that the mold is gone, then you can always spray more baking soda solution and then rinse it. You can also keep the baking soda solution just as without rinsing. This will prevent the growth of molds further.
There is another way of using baking soda to remove mold from silicone caulking. Just take some baking soda and add a little water to it such that the end result is a paste. Then apply this paste to the caulk. Let it rest for about 20 minutes and then you can scrub it all. You will see no mold now.
3. Remove Mold from Silicone Caulking using Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the substance that you can use to Remove Mold from Silicone Caulking. The good part about this one is that it is easily available in many households. You can use vinegar to kill most of the species of mold.
Add some water to vinegar to dilute it if the smell is bothering you. Or else you can simply spray the vinegar on the problematic areas and leave it so for an hour. Then scrub this area using a sponge. Now rinse the caulk using water and you will see the difference!
4. Use Hydrogen Peroxide to remove Mold
Hydrogen Peroxide is another one of the most useful chemicals that you can use to remove molds from caulking. For best results, you can use the 3% concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide for best results.
To remove molds from silicone caulking using hydrogen peroxide, all you need to do is spray it over the caulk and let it sit for sometime. Then after at least 10 minutes, scrub it with the help of a brush or a sponge. Then wipe this area using a dry towel or cloth.
5. Remove Mold from Caulking using Borax
For those of you who do not know, Borax is a cleaning agent which you can use to remove molds. All you need to do is use one part of borax with ten parts of water and then mix the two. Now spray this borax water solution over the mold and nearby area and scrub it clean. You will see the results in no time.
6. Using Ammonia to remove mold
Ammonia is known to be a more effective alternative of bleach. It might not be as assessible as bleach but this one does the work very well. However, there are a few safety measures that you will have to take care of.
For removing mold from caulking using ammonia, just mix one part of ammonia with one part of water in a container. Just take care that you are doing this in an aerobic environment. Then using a funnel, pour this solution into a spray bottle.
Now spray this solution over the mold. Make sure to adjust the amount of the solution according to the size of the mold. Leave the solution no the mold for about 10 minutes. Then scrub it off. Clean the caulking well and also, do not miss the corners.
You can use either a brush or a sponge to scrub this off. You will see the mold coming off. Just keep a note of not over doing this scrubbing. Once you are done scrubbing, use a dry cloth for wiping the area. Now you will be able to clearly see the situation of the mold.
At this point, you can check if you have missed any spots. You can add some more ammonia solution to the area and clean it well. Just note that, Ammonia is a dangerous chemical and thus you will have to be extra cautious with this one.
Why you should remove Mold from Silicone Caulking?
Before answering this question, why should you NOT remove Mold? If you do not already know, there’s not one but 3 major reasons why you should remove mold from silicone caulking.
The very first one being that Molds are dirty. They certainly do not look appealing and are gross. Would you like to have such mold patches on your beautiful house walls when someone comes over? No, right? One reason to remove molds!
Another and a major reason why you should remove molds is that molds are bad for your health. They can cause serious health problems, especially black molds.
These can have a serious and quicker impact on people suffering with conditions like allergies, asthma and so on. They can also impact breathing. Molds are also known to cause yeast infections, itchiness and skin irritation.
How to Prevent Mold from growing in future?
Molds can be very stubborn and you might have to put in a lot of efforts to remove molds. So rather than going for the cure every time, you can take some precautions to prevent mold from growing in future. Here are some of the things you can try to prevent mold from growing in future.
- Cleaning is Important – This goes without saying that cleaning is the most important thing to check growth of molds. You will have to see that your house is clean especially moist areas like kitchen and bathroom. You can also add vinegar for a deep cleaning.
- Keeping the place Dry – Moisture is one of the reasons for growth of mold. Make sure that the place is dry and the moisture does not sit for multiple days or weeks. One of the best ways to control moisture is using an absorbent cloth.
- A proper ventilation – Ventilation is one of the essential things that you will have to take care of to prevent mold growth. See that there is enough air circulation around. You can keep the doors and windows open to help that.
When should you Replace Caulking?
If your caulking has turned so bad that you do not see any betterment even after cleaning it, then you should replace caulking. In case you do not understand how bad it is, then you can seek professional advise.
If we are talking of silicone caulks, then they are more durable and thus will go a long way. You can also go for the latex caulks as they are easy to apply. However, they do not perform as great as silicone caulks.
Read More: How to Use a Caulking Gun for the First Time
FAQs
Is bleach safe to use for removing caulking?
Bleach is not exactly the safest thing to use and is quite risky. But you can put hand gloves and other safety wear to be safe with bleach while removing caulking.
How to avoid molds from growing?
You can stop molds from growing further by keeping the vulnerable places like shower, walls, and similar places always dry. You can use ammonia or bleach to remove mold but using them continuously can cause discoloration. You can also use vinegar which can help clearing mold.
Bottom Line
I hope you have all found the above article useful and could easily remove Mold from Silicone Caulking using the items we mentioned above. In case you have any questions for us or if you have any suggestions for us, then do let us know in the comment section below. We will be glad to hear from you!
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