Mildew Away!!

2013-02-20, Alex

When mold and mildew begin to grow on caulking, it’s a problem that is difficult to reverse. In most cases, it requires removal and replacement of the caulking. If the mold case is mild, you may be able to kill it off with a few simple steps. Here’s what to do.

Fill a bucket with warm water.
Add a small amount of soap and mix until suds begin to form.
Wash all of the caulking with the soapy water and a soft cloth.
Fill a spray bottle with undiluted bleach.
Spray the caulking generously with the bleach. Be sure to remove any colored items, such as bath rugs, that could become discolored – don’t forget to wear clothes you don’t care about.
Allow the bleach to sit on the caulking for 10-15 minutes. During this time, the bleach will kill the mold spores and begin to whiten the discoloration.
Use a scrub brush to brush along the surface of the caulking, moving from side to side. Apply light pressure or it may damage the caulking.
Rinse completely with water and/or scrub the surface again with the soapy water used earlier to remove any bleach residue.
Dry the caulking with a soft towel.
Repeat if necessary.