How do you clean a moldy shower?

[AmericangirlinFrance]

You know, that black stuff you get in the corners of the shower?

My old method isn't working very well. So if there's a product or certain cleaning method you use, let me know about it! It's not TOO bad (yet), but I want to get ahead of it, and I am very frustrated at my lack of success!

If it makes a difference, my shower/bathtub is acrylic (I think), not ceramic tile (it's all one big plastic-ish piece, if that makes sense - is that acrylic?). Or maybe fiberglass - I don't know the proper term!

 

[SpecialK]

My shower is so hard to keep clean in the summer. I think the humidity never goes away. I've used a Magic Eraser and Dawn and it works really well. Fill a bucket with hot water and Dawn and scrub with that mix and the Magic Eraser. Wipe it down with a damp towel. Works for me.

 

[golfgal]

I use Tilex mold and mildew spray. I spray the shower after I am done, let it sit until the next day and wipe it off before I shower the next morning. Easy.

 

[NikiM20]

I mix a bottle with 1/2 bleach and 1/2 HOT water. I open the windows in the bathroom (it smells VERY strong) and spray it down. I let it sit and if it doesnt get it the first time, spray it again

 

[All American]

Growing up in Alabama, we would do the 1/2 bleach and 1/2 water thing. We kept it in a squirt bottle and would spritz the shower once a week in the tough to get spots.

Also, I remember a lady in Texas saying she would soak a paper towel in bleach and cram it into the corners and let it sit. I imagine opening a window or keeping the fan on would help with the smell.

 

[minkydog]

I fill a small basin with hot water, add a 1/2 cup bleach and a few squirts of shampoo. Then I go at it with an electric toothbrush! why waste my energy? that's what batteries are for.

 

[jaycat]

If its mold you need to kill it with a water and bleach spray first before cleaning or it can spread to other parts of your house. If its just grime you can use spray 9, comet, greased lighting, or a strong tile cleaner - really any strong cleaner will do.

 

[bettyann29]

I have a spray bottle with bleach and water.. mine is probably 3/4 bleach and 1/4 water.. its very strong so I open the window and close the bathroom doors when I do it..

I like the idea of putting bleach on a paper towel.. I think I will try that one..

 

[bananda]

clove oil is also supposed to kill mould

 

[bas71873]

Subbing....my problem is I don't have a window in my bathroom that opens....it's just a decorative block window

 

[golfgal]

Subbing....my problem is I don't have a window in my bathroom that opens....it's just a decorative block window

Do you have an exhaust fan in your bathroom? If not, they aren't all that difficult to install.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

You will never believe this but I was told by someone that oven cleaner will get it off. I use bleach in my tiled tub and it works, but when my grandfather passed away we had to go clean his house. He lived by himself and didn't take care of things like he should have after my grandmother died. Anyway, his small shower, all tile, was disgusting, to be nice. So, we tried the oven cleaner, and it worked. We sprayed it on & let it sit for a while and then we went back in and wiped the grime away. I was amazed. After doing that we bleached it to kill anything that was left.

 

[bas71873]

Do you have an exhaust fan in your bathroom? If not, they aren't all that difficult to install.

Yep. Have an exhaust fan!

 

[bas71873]

You will never believe this but I was told by someone that oven cleaner will get it off. I use bleach in my tiled tub and it works, but when my grandfather passed away we had to go clean his house. He lived by himself and didn't take care of things like he should have after my grandmother died. Anyway, his small shower, all tile, was disgusting, to be nice. So, we tried the oven cleaner, and it worked. We sprayed it on & let it sit for a while and then we went back in and wiped the grime away. I was amazed. After doing that we bleached it to kill anything that was left.

Wonder if oven cleaner would work on the plastic/fiberglass/acrylic....whatever it is, stuff I have and that I presume OP has too??

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Wonder if oven cleaner would work on the plastic/fiberglass/acrylic....whatever it is, stuff I have and that I presume OP has too??

Test a small area first, it might damage the plastic.

 

[lil mermaid]

If you are worried about fumes, you can take a bit of straight bleach on a cotton ball and dab on. You will probably have to do it more than once, but it will work.

You should do that at the first sign of mold, and it will kill it and keep it from getting worse.

 

[ameraumi]

Hydrogen Peroxide also helps to kill it.

I have an old, think old YMCA, 1965 tile shower stall. I hate the thing with a passion. The Peroxide has helped cut down the mold that developes under the door.

I might have to try the oven cleaner.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Thank you SO much everyone for the tips! I don't have a bathroom window, so ventilation is a problem. I may try a weak bleach solution to kill and then a vinegar solution to clean. Maybe Bar Keeper's Friend, I didn't think about that. I will use the idea of scrubbing with a toothbrush. I have very inquisitive cats that love the shower (they will get in with the water running ), so I'm trying to keep the chemicals to a minimum.

Why can't someone invent something that you just spray on, and wipe the mold/grime off, without effort??

 

[SandrA9810]

Simple Green is a very effective cleaner. I'm in the process of cleaning my aunt's bathroom and while there isn't mold, it's still dirty. She's got one of those fiberglass tub things too.

My first shot was with KaBoom. Didn't do much, but not a bad smell. I tried secondly with soft scrub. I would work on it 3-5 minutes at a time with a 5 minute break because of the bleach. Then I grabbed a spray bottle of simple green and it got the dirt off the bottom. It's also a rough surface so it's easy for dirt to get in between make a sponge pointles. I had to use a hand brush. But the simple green isn't a bad smell and is only strong when you start spraying. So give it a few minutes to sit before you tackle it with a brush. I just wish she had a handheld shower thing, makes cleaning the tub so much easier.

 

[dakcp2001]

I spray a mixture of white vinegar, water, and tea tree oil. And on the tile I use bleach/water. It smells like making easter eggs for a little while, so I try to only spray the vinegar when we are on our way out for the day. I HATE the smell of vinegar, but I was told to avoid using bleach unless it is a non pourous surface.