How to Get Rid of Black Mold on Bathroom Sealant

Black mold is not only unsightly but also a health risk. As such, finding the right ways to get rid of it is important. The main cause of the black-colored mold is dampness and lingering moisture. Getting rid of it is simple but should be done keenly and with great care as it may be toxic and quite hazardous.

Apply a paste of white vinegar and baking soda then rub it on the black mold on the bathroom sealant. Scrub with a stiff-bristled brush then rinse with a cold, wet sponge dipped in white vinegar before drying with a piece of microfiber clothing. Do not rinse with water.

Mold is prevented by keeping surfaces dry and aired such as wiping them dry after a shower and turning on the fan for at least 30 minutes. 

What causes black mold on silicone?

Mold loves bathroom sealants as they offer the ideal conditions for their growth and black mold is no different. Some causes of black mold on silicone include:

• Moisture and heat in bathrooms causing humidity which is an ideal environment.
• Lack of proper ventilation and air circulation in the bathroom.
• Presence of damp cellulose materials such as rags.
• Leaking taps and pipes.
• Stagnant water and backsplash. 
• Loose silicone when overly exposed to moisture can foster mold.

Mold needs wet and moist conditions to germinate and grow as seen in the points above. Pebble shower floors require lots of sealant hence highly vulnerable to black mold and other types of mold.

How to remove mold from silicone 

Getting rid of mold is quite simple but should be taken seriously as it may be toxic and thus a potential hazard. Always remember to protect yourself especially when dealing with harsh products such as ammonia. 

Get rid of black mold in the following ways:

Cleaning Method	Procedure
Baking soda and white vinegar	Make a paste of baking soda and white vinegar, apply it on the moldy surface then scrub after 10 minutes. Rinse with vinegar.
Toilet paper	Dip toilet paper into white vinegar then place on the moldy surface. Remove after 2 to 3 hours then pat dry.
Bleach	Mix bleach with water (1:4) then spray it on the moldy surface. Scrub after 10 minutes then rinse.
Ammonia	Mix ammonia with water (1:1) then spray it on the moldy surface. Scrub after 20 minutes then rinse.
Borax	Mix borax with water (1:4) then spray it on the molder surface. Scrub after 20 minutes then wipe dry.
Hydrogen peroxide	Mix hydrogen peroxide with water (1:1) then spray it on the moldy surface.scrub after 20 minutes then wipe dry.
Commercial cleaners	Follow written instructions for each cleaner.

Baking Soda and White Vinegar

For this procedure, you need white vinegar, baking soda, damp rag, stiff-bristled brush, wet sponge, cold water, and bleach.

Remove black mold from bathroom sealant as follows:

1. Create a paste by mixing a cup of white vinegar with a half a cup of baking soda.
2. Using a damp rag, scoop the paste and rub it all over the sealant evenly and well spread. Let the paste sit for close to 10 minutes.
3. Scrub off the paste using the stiff-bristled brush thoroughly. 
4. Using a wet sponge dipped in cold white vinegar, rinse the sealant clean. In case the stain is still present, repeat the process above.

This is a natural mold cleaning procedure as it has no chemicals which may damage your hands or bathroom surfaces. Although the vinegar solution has a slight odor, it dissipates after a while. Vinegar helps with deodorizing while the acids present in vinegar eat away and kill any remaining mold spores as well as keep of future mold occurrences.

Avoid rinsing the area with water since water only serves to encourage mold regrowth even after the mold removal process.

Toilet Paper

For this procedure, you need toilet paper and white vinegar. 

Remove black mold with toilet paper as follows:

1. Roll the toilet paper to form thick sausage-like shapes.
2. Dip them in white vinegar and have them absorb as much of it as possible.
3. You then lay them on your sealant, covering it with toilet paper on its top surface. 
4. Let it stay for a few hours (2 – 3 hours) before removing the toilet papers.
5. Dry with a clean and dry cloth or towel.

You may have to repeat the process for the best results.

Bleach

You need chlorinated bleach, cold water, and a stiff-bristled brush.

Remove black mold with bleach as follows:

1. Mix bleach and water in the ratio of 1:4 respectively.
2. Apply the solution to your sealant and let it sit for about twenty minutes.
3. Scrub off the paste using the stiff-bristled brush thoroughly.
4. Using a wet sponge and cold water, rinse the sealant clean. 
5. Lastly, rinse it off with cold water and dry with a clean cloth or towel. 

In case the stain is still present then repeat the process above.

Ammonia

Take caution while using ammonia as you shouldn’t inhale it. Have your bathroom as aerated as possible. Your door and windows should be wide open and, if possible, make use of a fan. Wear gloves and a respirator as compared to the common face mask. Also, never mix bleach and ammonia as any contact between the two releases toxic fumes that shouldn’t be inhaled. Only use one or the other.

You need ammonia, bleach, cold water, a stiff-bristled brush, and a sponge. 

Remove black mold with ammonia as follows:

1. Dilute the ammonia with water in equal measure in a spritz bottle.
2. Spray the mixture evenly all over your bathroom sealant and let it sit for about 10 to 20 minutes.
3. Using a stiff-bristled brush, scrub the bathroom sealant until the mold comes off and you get the desired results. 
4. Don’t rinse since you’ll be supplying the surface with water for mold regrowth.

If there are remnants then repeat the process.

Borax

You need Borax, cold water and a stiff-bristled brush.

The steps to removing black mold from a silicone sealant with Borax are as follows:

1. Mix Borax and water in the ratio 1:4 respectively.
2. Apply the solution to your sealant and let it sit for about 20 minutes.
3. Scrub off the paste using the stiff-bristled brush.
4. Don’t rinse borax as it’ll keep killing mold afterwards.

Borax also does away with the musty smell of mold and the smell of ammonia in clothing. In case the stain is still present, repeat the process above.

Hydrogen Peroxide

You need hydrogen peroxide, bleach, cold water, a stiff-bristled brush, and a sponge.

Follow these steps to remove the black mold from the silicone sealant:

1. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide with water in equal measure in a spritz bottle.
2. Spray the mixture evenly all over your bathroom sealant and let it sit for about 10 to 20 minutes.
3. Using a stiff-bristled brush, scrub the bathroom sealant until the mold comes off and you get the desired results. 
4. After the above process, clean your bathroom thoroughly with bleach and leave the doors and windows open.
5. Don’t rinse with water.

If there are remnants then repeat the process.

Commercial Cleaners

Commercial black mold removers such as RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover Spray and Wet & Forget Shower Cleaner can be used to clean mold off most surfaces including bathroom sealant. Most of them require spraying them on the moldy sealant then just leaving them there since rinsing with water provides wet conditions for the growth of mold.

How to prevent black mold on silicone sealants

Preventing black mold from growing is simpler than it sounds since all you need to do is be keen on sanitization and keep sealants dry. Below are a few easy steps to help you keep off any future mold infestations.

1. When showering, leave the ventilation fan on for at least 30 minutes and leave the window open to keep the bathroom dry. 
2. Install dehumidifiers and air conditioners to keep the humidity levels low in the home.
3. Use mildew-resistant curtains since they easily breed mold and mildew which might find its way to the sealants in the bathroom. 
4. Keep a frequent and consistent shower cleaning routine to keep mold off. Clean the curtains, rugs, doors and other parts making sure you leave the shower clean and dry.
5. Keep your shower walls and other parts dry by patting them dry after each shower. Pour vinegar in your shower drain after each shower if it’s prone to mold. 
6. Use sanitizing products with bleach when cleaning to kill off any black mold spores in the shower. 
7. Gloss paint discourages mold growth and should thus be used more in wet conditions such as the shower. 
8. Loofas, toys and shower gels shouldn’t be left in the bathroom as they encourage mold growth. 
9. If the sealant is covered in black mold and cleaning doesn’t get rid of it, replace it. 
10. Your air filters should be changed regularly to avoid spreading mold spores in the house. 
11. Avoid rinsing surfaces with water after mold cleaning since it only provides the water needed for the mold to grow back.

Removing or handling mold is easy when you already have a prevention system set in place. A couple of well-placed applications of hydrogen peroxide or vinegar will help you prevent shower molds or any other type of mold.