Being "concerned" with money and being green, someone suggested lemons or lemon juice. Lemon has been used for centuries. However, concern with the environment, what chemicals contaminate our water, plant life, animals, and humans got me thinking. After researching and experimenting, using natural, less expensive products fit my life style better. I chose lemons. My first stop was the bathroom.
I took a lemon wedge, rubbed it in the corner where tile meets the porcelain tub, and ran it up and down over the caulking. I let it sit about 15 minutes, checking it about halfway through (at which time you can reapply). I rinsed the tub then cleaned it as usual. The tub was clean!
This cleaning method can be used on many different things. Recently while preparing for a garage sale, I noticed the antique highchair which was being sold was growing mold. Immediately, I remembered the lemon juice. I grabbed my spray bottle that I used for cleaning the bathrooms and spayed the highchair. You would never want to use bleach or other chemicals where a baby was going to be eating. However the lemon juice worked great, removing all of the mold. Lemon juice left this antique in its original condition. Next time you see mold anywhere in your house before using something toxic or expensive, grab a lemon!
When using on porous items, wipe away immediately. If necessary reapply.
By Mistie from Baton Rouge, LA
I sprayed everything down, turned to the sink to wet my sponge and by the time I turned back, everything resembling mold, mildew, or soap scum was gone. You do need to be very careful not to inhale these fumes. I personally open the window, turn on the fan, hold my breath, spray the X-14 where needed and run for the hills! I just hope nobody's watching me while I'm using this product. :) If you're desperate to clean up the tub, X-14 is the answer.
By Kristen from Grand Rapids, MI
You can put the bleach in the spray bottles and spray on the shower walls. Then rinse with water. Then do the regular cleaning.
Concentrate on a small area at a time time, because the bleach has a heavy smell. Be careful about getting it on your hands and in your eyes. Do open the door and window.
By chellammal from Alpharetta, GA
We have mold on the walls above our shower. What's the best way to remove the mold and to prevent it from coming back?
Lewis
By CAROLINAGIRL.1967
08/02/2012
Yes, great answer when you paint make sure its a paint for bathrooms it helps prevent mold and mildew, too.
We are getting ready to move into a house, but there is a lot of work that has to be done first. We recently tore the entire bathroom out from the floors to the ceiling. It will be a whole new make-over. The bathtub is fine, it just needs to be cleaned really well. It is filthy, but the dirt wipes off. Now on the outside of the tub surround there is mold. What can I do to safely remove and prevent if from coming back?
By Kristi from Columbus, OH
By Qwiso
10/21/2011
Use a 50/50 bleach/water solution in a bucket. Use hot but not scalding water. Take a stiff bristled handheld bathtub brush and alternate between dipping the brush in the bucket and scrubbing at the mold until it is all gone. The bleach should remove the stain left by the mold. If not you can try some concentrated bleach on a white rag, wearing gloves. Be careful not to damage the caulk. If the caulk is leaking in any way, remove, clean and re-caulk. Rinse clean with water and you should be good to go.
My shower stall has wet-wall similar to kitchen counter tops. The wall covering has developed a slight bloom any ideas how to clean this?
Thanks in advance.
By Tizzyfluff from Fife, Scotland
By Loleini
03/30/2011
Try the following. Not sure if it will work but it's worth a try:
All Purpose Cleaner: You'll need a large spray bottle, a half cup of baking soda, and enough water to dissolve. To this, slowly add a cup of vinegar (it will fizz like mad for a bit), then top off with more water. Let this mixture sit overnight, and then flip end over end to mix. Be prepared for more fizzing. When fizzing ends, it's ready to use.
OR
Tile Cleaner: Mix equal parts baking soda and warm water, scrub into tiles, and then clean with all purpose solution.
You can get other cleaning ideas from this site (which is where I got the idea I've mentioned) http://www.stretcher.com/stories/05/05apr04d.cfm
When we moved into this house, the shower tiles had a lime buildup and mold. Each time I clean with a bleach cleaner, the tiles turn orange/brown which is then very difficult to remove. This doesn't happen in other areas where there is no build up. How can I clean the shower without this happening and kill the mold, too?
By Rhonda
By deethundercloud
03/03/2011
Don't use bleach. I know it's been used for decades in the belief it got rid of mold. Recent studies have shown all it does is 'bleach' the mold to white/clear. The spores are still alive therefore it will come back. Consider using full strength vinegar sprayed on to get rid of the calcium buildup.
If the mold is on the putty around the enclosure, take it off and put new putty on. If it's on a curtain, of course, replace it. I spray vinegar on the entire enclosure after each use of the tub/shower. I no longer have a problem with either buildup nor mold.
How do I clean mold from my bathroom tiles?
By Graham
By Songwritter
08/19/2011
Peroxide in a spray bottle just like it comes from the drug store, what, 3%? The peroxide is cheap and does a good job of it. Peroxide is also a good sanitizer and cleaner. We use it a lot in the kitchen to kill the germs, and one bottle goes a long way.
The Songwriter
Is there a mold found in showers that is pink ? What is it and will a little bleach get rid of it?
By bigjonusn from Augusta, GA
By MCW
By Mary T
By kwinters
By merlene
By smartfell-r
I am looking for tips on how to remove mold from my shower walls.
By lovemyfamily from TX
By Glenn'sMom
By Melynda
By JoanDogs
We have one of those showers that are separate from the tub. There is a gummy glue (Caulking) used to anchor the door to the stall. The glue was clear now it is dark with mildew or mold. Can someone give me some ideas on how to clean it without removing the glue?
Thanks in advance.
Nette from Georgia
By Linda
I've found this product at Walmart, Raley's, and Rite-Aid. You can use it on glass, fiberglass, stainless steel, copper, brass (it's a polisher), plastic, and tile. It's an endless cleaner. Once you try it, you'll always have it. (01/27/2005)
By jjager
Trudy P. (05/21/2005)
By Trudy P.
Only then should you use bleach to disinfect, but you should only use a bleach and water mix. Using straight bleach doesn't clean any better, but does give out a toxic fume that should not be inhaled. The most important thing is to make sure you wear gloves, protective eyewear and a N95 mask. You can get the proper mask at your local home improvement stores. I hope this helps you and others. If you have mold that keeps coming back, this technique should help. Also, if your not sure if what you have is mold. Put a drop of bleach on it and if it changes colors then it's mold. If it doesn't change colors, then it's not mold. (07/19/2005)
By Jac
By thirstyone
You might want to check out MoldZyme on their website. I've ordered from them and they seem to have their products carried at retail stores around the country. You can check out their site, ecodiscoveries.com for more information on the capabilities of the product. (08/18/2006)
By schneid
He recommended this solution: Boil 1 gallon of water. Mix in copper powder (the stuff you use on your roses, it comes in a cylindrical container). Stir it. There will still be some solid pieces. Put it through a strainer (a home made strainer, like a coffee filter or paper towel should be just fine) so all of the pieces are gone. Pour in one gallon of Zep floor sealer and mix. Put this into a trigger spray bottle and spray it generously on the moldy areas. I have not yet had a chance to try this, but he swears by it. (10/14/2007)
By Debbie
What gets rid of mildew on shower tiles?
By tutmost from Vallejo, CA
By mrowe
"Chlorine is commonly and dangerously used for mold clean-up. We do not recommend it. Chlorine bleaches away the mold stain, but the mold always comes back. It wasn't fully removed from the surface. Conventional mold clean up methods require protective gear to protect you from both the mold and the chlorine bleaching products. Even a small mold clean up can expose you to hazardous products and by-products. Mold and chlorine have both been linked to poor indoor air quality, allergies, and even childhood asthma. Chlorine bleach is just as toxic as the mold in many cases. New research has linked the residue compounds left by chlorine cleaners, called organochlorides, to a variety of illnesses from respiratory disorders to cancer."
The vinegar leaves behind an acid residue that helps to retard the regrowth of mold as long as you don't rinse it off. (09/25/2009)
By wolfbytez
By Dorty
By damaged05170
By kghsave
By ecogirl91304
Not clean enough yet? Try peroxide and baking soda. Still not there? Use borax powder to scrub it all down first, removing any greasy soap residue, then repeat the vinegar or peroxide and bicarb scrub. Only precaution with this is to not get peroxide into your eyes. Have fun! (05/25/2010)
By Elizabet A.
Any suggestions on getting rid of black mold around shower doors/ trays?
Oahsan
Here are some recipes for cleaning mildew:
Combine in a spray bottle. Spray on dirty areas of bathtubs, shower curtains, or tile; let sit 5 minutes then scrub with a cloth.
Good for big cleaning projects. Effective for removing mildew in the bathroom.
Apply to mildew. Use rubber gloves and use in a well ventilated area. As bleach is toxic, use care whenever using it. This recipe should only be used when nothing else has worked. Any other ideas how to remove mildew without bleach?
Susan (06/04/2003)
By ThriftyFun
By Loretta
By Don
I would like to know how to clean mold and mildew from the shower?
I need a homemade recipe for a small problem of mold in the shower. It is on the wall at one side. The shower is a tile shower. Thank you.
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Do you have a tip, recipe or craft to share?
Removing Mold from Shower Walls