One of the most common areas where you may find black mold is on the grout in your bathroom. If you notice that the grout around your shower or sink area has turned black, there are things that you can use to remove it. Continue reading to learn about the best method that we've researched to get rid of this black mold.
Here are techniques that you can use to get rid of black grout in your bathroom:
- Baking Soda
- Hydrogen Peroxide & Baking Soda Mix
- Chlorine-based Bleach
- White Vinegar
- Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
Mold thrives in many spaces, and it can make your bathroom look unsightly. It helps to know what tools and chemical or natural cleaning products are available to get rid of this mold quickly and safely. In this post, we will discuss the most common ones used by professionals and everyday homeowners.
Methods To Clean Black Grout In A Bathroom
The reason why you'll often find mold developing on the grout between tiles is that grout is naturally porous, which makes it susceptible to various types of microscopic growth. Removing black mold from your grout lines can be tedious at times, but with the right products and methods, you can get rid of it quickly and keep it at bay.
Let's look at a few popular methods to get rid of it.
Baking Soda
You'll find that several DIY cleaning methods involve applying baking soda. This is because of its amazing ability to get rid of mold and other tough surface stains. A quick way to use baking soda to help lift black mold from your grout is to combine a half cup of it with five teaspoons of water. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl until they form a paste.
Next, apply the paste directly to the areas on the grout where mold has formed. It's best to let the paste sit for about 10 to 15 minutes or more if the molded area is large. Next, take a scrubber brush or disposable toothbrush and scrub the mold away from the grout. Rinse the area with water, and then repeat two or three times or as much as needed until the mold is completely removed.
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Hydrogen Peroxide & Baking Soda Mix
You can also use baking soda and a combination of hydrogen peroxide to help remove black mold. The bleaching agent in the hydrogen peroxide can help to quickly lighten the grout and get it back to its original color. Meanwhile, the baking soda will work to eradicate the mold by loosening it up and lifting it away from the grout. To create this solution, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with one-and-one-half tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and place them in a water bottle.
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Next, spray the solution on the molded grout and let it sit for two to five minutes. Then take a scrubber brush or cloth to remove the mold and residue from the grout. You may need to repeat this process once or twice to lift the mold from the grout completely.
If you have mold around the caulk on your sink or bathtub hardware, it may be best to remove the caulk before attempting to eradicate the mold, especially if the caulk itself has mold on it. Sometimes re-caulking can make a world of difference in refreshing your bathroom tile and grout.
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Chlorine-based Bleach
Bleach is probably the most effective way to get rid of mold on your bathroom grout quickly. Bleach is antifungal and antibacterial, and the chlorine in it will quickly lighten the grout while lifting the dark-colored mold from it. It's best to open up a window or door when using bleach to clean grout, as the fumes can be nauseating and overwhelming. You'll also want to use rubber cleaning gloves to avoid getting bleach on your hands.
Apply bleach to the mold by mixing 1/4-cup of it with a cup of water in a plastic spray bottle. Next, spray the affected grout and allow the bleach solution to sit on it for anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes. If you have an exhaust fan in the bathroom, it's best to allow it to run the entire time that the bleach is on the grout. You may also need to use a scrubber brush. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the area to get rid of the bleach odor.
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White Vinegar
White vinegar is a known natural cleaning agent, and it can also help lift black mold from your tile grout. You can also use this in combination with baking soda or by itself.
When using baking soda, combine 3/4-cup of white vinegar with a tablespoon of baking soda and pour it into a spray bottle. Let the solution sit on the molded area for about 30 minutes, and then scrub it away using your bristle brush or a disposable toothbrush. Next, re-spray the area and let it sit for an additional 30 minutes. Finally, rinse the area with warm water.
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Lemon Juice and Baking Soda
If you prefer an all-natural approach to remove the black mold from your grout, you can also use a combination of lemon juice and baking soda. To do this, mix 1/4-cup of lemon juice with two tablespoons of baking soda and steer it in a bowl. Next, apply the paste to the grout and let it sit for about 30 to 45 minutes.
Allow the paste to sit an additional 30 minutes if needed. Afterward, take your scrubber brush and work the paste into the crowd into the mold stains are lifted. Lemon juice works best on black mold that is relatively new and isn't covering large spaces. For older or larger areas of black mold, you may want to use hydrogen peroxide or bleach.
Why is my bathroom grout turning black?
If you notice that the grout in your bathroom is turning black, you likely have a mold infestation in the bathroom. Black mold is common in humid areas of the home, as the spores thrive in moist environments, such as the bathroom or basement. If the grout is exposed to excessive amounts of moisture daily or is over a few years old, it could be time to give it a thorough cleaning or even replace it to get rid of the mold.
How do you clean black grout in the shower?
The best way to remove black grout in your shower is to create a solution of bleach and water. Mix one tablespoon of bleach with two cups of water and pour it into a plastic spray bottle. Next, spray the solution on the shower walls in other areas where the black grout is present. Let it sit for about 10 to 30 minutes, and then use a scrubber brush to clean the area. You may need to repeat this once or twice.
What is the best homemade tile grout cleaner?
The best homemade tile grout cleaner is typically one that consists of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. If the grout is located in the kitchen, you'll also want to add liquid dish soap to help remove the grease from the grout. You can make a paste by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda with one-and-one-half ablespoons of hydrogen peroxide and a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. After mixing the ingredients, apply them to the grout for cleaning.
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How do you keep the grout from turning black?
The best way to keep your grout from turning black is to minimize the amount of moisture in your bathroom daily. This means using the ventilation fan or opening a window or door to air out the bathroom after a shower or bath. It's also best to keep the grout clean using anti-fungal chemicals to prevent the buildup of black mold.
Does Magic Eraser work on grout?
Yes, you can use Magic Eraser as an effective way to clean your grout. However, it may be best to use a cleaning or bleaching agent if there is evidence of mold or mildew on the grout.
Learn more about the Magic Eraser on Amazon.
Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has helped illustrate how to remove black mold from your bathroom grout. It's important to note that black mold can be hazardous to your health, so it's best to keep it at bay as much as possible using natural or chemical cleaners as well as employing preventive methods.
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