Community Chat

[Bubby Mommy]

We have recently remodeled our bathroom - everything - floors, ceiling, tile, fixtures, tub, etc. After about a year, I noticed a small spot of black mold in the tile grout. I have scrubbed it with a stiff brush with bleach, cleanser, Tilex, and I even went to the tile store and got a special cleaner (which did nothing for $22 a bottle). I even soaked a cloth in bleach and taped it over the spot to work for several hours. Though the spot is lightened in its blackness, it is still there. Does anyone have a different tried and true method I can try? Thank you!

By the way, I always squeegee the tiles every time I take a shower and I clean the bathroom meticulously so I am at a loss to explain why this happened at all.

[RedTop]

Chlorine bleach will kill mold and mildew spores, but it takes several hours to penetrate the grout surface. You cannot apply it and expect to see results immediately; scrubbing with a brush is useless. I use Chlorox foaming cleaner; spray it on the mildewed area and leave it for at least 2+ hours, then go back and rinse it off. This cleaner is strong, so I can only use it when my husband and girls are out of the house, due to their asthma. If I'm using the cleaner in the main bathroom, I turn on the vent fan and shut the door. If I'm using it in the master bath, I open the window and shut the door to help get rid of the fumes. We experience mold and mildew growth in the grout because of the many bottlesof shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc., my daughters have sitting in the corners of our tub and shower, and the fact they pull the shower curtain totally closed after they shower, which does not allow complete air flow for everything to dry out. My husband also pulls the shower curtain all the way closed after his shower as well, and rarely opens the bathroom window to allow the heat and moisture to escape, which keep conditions right for the growth of spores. If you have tile and grout, you will have mold and mildew.

[Bubby Mommy]

Thanks so much. I will give the Chlorox cleaner a try. My bathroom has no windows, but of course we have a vent that we turn on whenever we shower and I leave it on afterwards. I guess I can't erase all the moisture. I have been applying the Tilex and/or cleanser with bleach to the grout every day, but I'm going to buy the Chlorox foaming cleaner as you suggested and just be patient. Thanks again so much for your response - I appreciate it!

[ROMARY]

Isn't there some sort of bleach pen that you just draw/use on that particular grout spot? I'm sure other posters know the name. That way, it wouldn't have the huge odor that a spray would have, I'm guessing.

[Bubby Mommy]

Bleach pen sounds great too! Anything is worth a try. I wonder if I could get that at the supermarket? I have never seen it there. I could try a hardware store. Thanks, ladies!

[ROMARY]

Glad I mentioned bleach pens. I'm going to go out and buy myself one, too! It will probably 'target' the stain in no time, without a bunch of fumes spread out over a larger surface.