If the silicone sealant in your kitchen and bathroom is mouldy, you’re not alone. This rubbery strip is designed to prevent water from seeping into gaps between tiles, floors and shower trays, but this is a double-edged sword. After all, it’s this exposure to moisture that makes it a breeding ground for mould.
Kitchens and bathrooms are also the dampest (and sometimes smallest) rooms in the house, and sealant is typically located in tiny corners and crevices. And when airflow is limited and there’s no respite from moisture and humidity, mouldy silicone gets worse and worse as the weeks go by. This makes it harder to remove in the long run.
But while many people are inclined to use chemicals to get rid of mould, the good news is that mouldy silicone sealant can be removed completely naturally – using one product that you probably already have in your cleaning cupboard: white vinegar.
Miniml Eco White Vinegar 750ml
There are so many ways that you can clean with white vinegar – and it’s key to successful mould removal from silicone sealant.
To remove mould from silicone sealant with white vinegar, simply spray the sealant with white vinegar and leave it for an hour (or longer if you have time).
Emma Mannion, Cleaning Expert at Astonish, says, ‘Apply it generously along the affected sealant, making sure it’s fully saturated. Then leave it to sit, as this gives the vinegar time to actually penetrate and tackle the mould at its root, not just lift surface stains.’
Then, use an old toothbrush to scrub off the mould and wipe clean with a wet cloth. Finish by drying the area with a clean, dry cloth.
It’s also advisable to open the windows, wear gloves, and, ideally, a face mask when cleaning mould from silicone, as the process can disrupt mould spores and irritate your throat, nose and eyes.
As white vinegar is naturally antifungal and antibacterial, it’s far superior to bleach when cleaning mould from silicone sealant. That’s because bleach only tackles visible surface mould and doesn’t penetrate deep into the silicone to address mould spores.
On the other hand, Emma says, ‘White vinegar is naturally acidic, so it works by breaking down mould spores and slowing their regrowth, without the need for stronger chemical cleaners.’
It will also naturally remove mould without damaging the silicone sealant or altering the colour, so you shouldn’t need to replace it regularly.
But if the smell of white vinegar is a little too aggressive for you, I’d recommend buying the Miniml Eco White Vinegar Cleaning Sorrento Lemon Scented (5L bottle, £8.95 at Amazon). The scent is delicious and much gentler – even when sprayed vigorously.
However, if that doesn’t quite get the job done and the mould is particularly stubborn, Kelly Moore, Founder of Cleaning with Meaning, suggests using another natural cleaner.
She says, ‘I advise making a paste from bicarbonate of soda with water and applying it to the affected area, before gently scrubbing with an old toothbrush.’ Then, you can repeat the process with the white vinegar before ‘rinsing thoroughly and drying the area completely.’
But whatever method you choose, the key to removing mould from silicone sealant and stopping it from returning is prevention. And one of the things people with clean bathrooms always do is keep a clean, dry cloth nearby in the kitchen and bathroom.
Emma explains, ‘The most effective prevention is reducing how much moisture lingers on the sealant in the first place. After using a shower or sink, quickly wiping down the edges with a dry cloth or even a piece of kitchen roll can make a big difference.’
You can also use a squeegee like this MR.SIGA Multi-Purpose Squeegee (£12.99 at Amazon) to help after you’ve had a shower, although Emma does still advise ‘a light weekly mist of white vinegar along sealant lines’ to ensure you’re keeping mould at bay.
It’s also important to maintain good airflow and ventilation, so regularly opening windows, using extractor fans and even opting for a non-electric dehumidifier can work in your favour.
If you struggle to clean your sealant and can visibly see it’s damaged, you can start from scratch by removing the affected silicone and replacing it with something like this Dryzone Silicone Sealant White Anti-Mould (£7.99 at Amazon). This is an easy task that you can do quickly with limited DIY knowledge.
What you need to naturally remove mould from silicone sealant and stop it from coming back
Duzzit Amazing Baking Soda Multi Purpose Household Cleaner
OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush Set
If you don’t have any old toothbrushes lying around, a brush set like this will be ideal to agitate and remove the mould from your silicone.
UniBond Re-New White Silicone Sealant for Kitchen & Bath
If your old sealant is looking a little worse for wear after cleaning, this sealant renewal can be applied on top of your existing sealant to make it look brand new.
Absodry Moisture Absorber
This non-electric dehumidifier is an Ideal Home favourite, and comes in a variety of colourways to suit your kitchen or bathroom.
Pack of 10 Microfibre Cloths
Ideally, you shouldn’t use your regular cleaning cloths when dealing with mould. So, grab a new pack to ensure they’re fresh and ready for action.
ShamWow 4pk Shammy Super Absorbent Chamois Towel
After cleaning your sealant, you need to keep it as dry as possible. This ultra-absorbent chamois can be used to wipe down showers and sinks after use.
Who says you need bleach?! Natural alternatives are so much better.
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