This article was co-authored by Mike Kapur. Mike Kapur is a home inspector and the owner of Sonic Home Inspections, a home inspection company in Westchester, New York. With over 15 years of experience in pre-inspecting properties, Mike specializes in mold, radon, asbestos, lead, water, and air quality testing as well as hazardous materials, pest, infrared, and general home inspections. Prior to founding Sonic Home Inspections, Mike worked pre-inspecting apartments. Mike holds a BS in Accounting from Queens College and is a Certified Mold Assessor in the state of New York.
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To rid your shower of mold, first use a vinegar-borax solution to kill the mold. Alternatively, you can use a vinegar-hydrogen peroxide solution or straight peroxide to kill the mold. Mold stains may remain after ridding your shower of mold. If they do, then use a baking soda paste to remove the stains. Prevent future mold growth by keeping your bathroom well-ventilated and by spraying your shower with a water-vinegar solution after you finish showering three to five times a week.
Steps
Killing the Mold
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1Make a mold-killing solution. Pour ½ cup (120 ml) of vinegar into 1 quart (1 liter) of warm water. Use distilled white vinegar. Then mix in ¼ cup (59 ml) of borax. Mix the ingredients together in a pitcher until they are well-combined and the borax is completely dissolved.
- Alternatively, you may use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide. However, do not dilute it with water or mix it with borax. Instead, use straight peroxide, or mix 1 part peroxide to 1 part vinegar.[1]
- You can purchase borax from your local pharmacy or grocery store.
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2Fill a spray bottle with the solution. Then spray the mold with the solution. Make sure to spray a generous amount of the solution onto the affected areas in your shower.
- You may have some solution leftover. As you clean the mold, re-fill the bottle as needed.
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3Let the solution set for 10 to 15 minutes. Depending on how much mold you have, you may need to let the solution set for longer like 30 minutes to an hour.
Washing the Mold Off
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1Scrub the mold away. Use a scrub brush to do this. Scrub the mold in a vigorous back and forth motion until all of it is removed. For small crevices, use a toothbrush to scrub the mold.
- As you scrub, you may need to spray more solution onto the affected areas to clean them thoroughly.
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2Wipe the area clean. Use a clean, dry towel to do this. Wipe until all the debris and mold are removed.[2] Do not rinse the area with water because any remaining borax will help keep your shower clean for a longer period of time.
- Alternatively, you may use a vacuum to clean away debris and mold. However, make sure to use a HEPA filter; this type of filter can collect and contain mold spores.
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3Dry your shower. Use a clean, dry towel to do this. Make sure the areas in your shower that collect and grow mold are thoroughly dried.[3]
Removing Mold Stains
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1Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water to form a paste. Mix the baking soda and water in a bowl until they are well-combined. You are looking for a mixture with a toothpaste-like consistency.[4]
- If the mixture is too thin, then just add more baking soda until a thick paste forms.
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2Apply the paste onto the stained areas with a sponge. Let the paste set for 10 to 15 minutes. For tough stains, let the paste set for longer like 30 minutes to an hour.[5]
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3Scrub the stains. Use a scrub brush to do this after the paste has set for the allotted time. Scrub in a vigorous back and forth motion until they are gone. Use a toothbrush to clean small crevices.[6]
- If the stains remain, then you may need to repeat steps one through three again.
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4Wipe the area clean with a damp towel. Wipe until any and all paste, debris and grime are removed. Then use a clean, dry towel to wipe your shower down until it is completely dry.[7]
Preventing Mold
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1
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2Spray down your shower with a water-vinegar solution. Do this after you shower three to five times a week to prevent mold growth. Mix equal parts water and vinegar, and fill a spray bottle labeled “shower spray” with the solution.[10]
- Keep the spray bottle handy in your shower or bathroom.
- If you have children, make sure to keep the spray bottle out of reach.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you clean a stubborn mold?
Andrii GurskyiAndrii Gurskyi is the owner and founder of Rainbow Cleaning Service, a New York City cleaning company specializing in apartments, homes, and moving cleanup using non-toxic and artificial fragrance free cleaning solutions. Founded in 2010, Andrii and Rainbow Cleaning Service has served over 35,000 customers.
House Cleaning ProfessionalYou can try a professional commercial cleaner like RMR 86 and RMR 141. RMR brand mold and mildew cleaners work well in showers and elsewhere.
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionWhat is the best cleaner for mold in shower?
Fabricio FerrazFabricio Ferraz is the Co-Owner and Operator of Hire a Cleaning. Hire a Cleaning is a family owned and operated business that has been serving San Francisco, California homes for over 10 years.
House Cleaning ProfessionalFor a more effective scrub, use Easy Off. Easy Off is a professional, heavy-duty cleaner that can cut through dirt, grime, and mold on most surfaces. Apply the chemical to your shower and wait three minutes. Then, clean the mold and use hot water to rinse it away. Use adequate ventilation because Easy Off can leave a strong odor.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
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QuestionHow can I stop mold from growing in my shower?
Ashley MatuskaAshley Matuska is a Professional Cleaner at the Founder and Owner of Dashing Maids in Denver, Colorado. Ashley has over seven years of experience in the cleaning industry. She and her team specialize in offering sustainable deep cleaning and maintenance cleaning services.
Professional CleanerMake sure you dry out your shower or dry it with a towel to help sop up some of the moisture.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
Warnings
- Borax is toxic if ingested, however, it does not emit toxic fumes and it is non-carcinogenic.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Since borax is a mild skin irritant, wear gloves while using it.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ http://removemoldguide.com/do-it-yourself/how-to-get-rid-of-mold/
- ↑ Mike Kapur. Certified Mold Assessor & Home Inspector, Sonic Home Inspections. Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.
- ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.
- ↑ http://removemoldguide.com/do-it-yourself/how-to-get-rid-of-mold/
- ↑ http://naturallysavvy.com/live/how-to-get-rid-of-bathroom-mold
- ↑ http://naturallysavvy.com/live/how-to-get-rid-of-bathroom-mold
- ↑ http://removemoldguide.com/do-it-yourself/how-to-get-rid-of-mold/
- ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.
- ↑ https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/bathroom-laundry/bathroom-mold/
- ↑ http://naturallysavvy.com/live/how-to-get-rid-of-bathroom-mold?page=3
- ↑ Ashley Matuska. Professional Cleaner. Expert Interview. 15 April 2019.
- ↑ https://www.houselogic.com/by-room/bathroom-laundry/bathroom-mold/
About This Article
To clean mold in a shower, start by mixing white vinegar, borax, and warm water to make a mold-killing solution. Alternatively, you can use equal parts hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar. Then, spray the solution on the mold, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Next, wash the mold off using a scrub brush for big areas and a toothbrush for small crevices. Finally, wipe any leftover residue away with a clean, dry towel. To learn how to remove leftover mold stains in a shower, scroll down!
