Mould loves to grow in bathrooms no matter how thoroughly they’re cleaned as bathrooms are naturally damp spaces.
The mix of water and steam creates a warm, humid environment, allowing moisture to settle on all surfaces – especially silicone sealants.
Silicone sealant is a versatile material renowned for its sealing and bonding abilities. It’s an excellent choice for sealing gaps and ensuring key areas – like showers or sinks – are watertight.
It plays a crucial role in protecting your bathroom and other areas from water damage, but if households spot blackening on their silicone sealants, it indicates a mould issue which can be hard to eradicate.
Whether the mould growth is confined to the shower’s silicone sealant or it’s a widespread problem, it’s vital to clean it immediately.
Abbas Youssefi, director at Porcelain Superstore agreed that cleaning silicone sealant “can be a bit tricky” as standard bleach-based solutions can significantly “shorten its lifespan” and “cause it to fail over time”.
This means that, while it can lighten and brighten sealant in the short term, households will likely need to replace it sooner rather than later.
The expert recommended combining “two everyday items found in your kitchen” to “create a solution that can effectively clean sealant and remove mould” – white vinegar and baking soda.
Vinegar, holding roughly five percent acetic acid, is praised as “great at breaking down dirt, oils, films, stains and mould”.
Bicarbonate of soda’s mild abrasiveness makes it “great for removing dirt and stains without causing damage” – it even acts as a deodoriser for those pesky smells.
Even though it might take slightly longer than your regular chemical cleaners, this natural cleaner combo is not just “100 percent works effectively and is safe”, it also “preserves the sealant’s key qualities so it lasts for longer”.
Mixing in a bowl or container, blend one cup (about 250ml) of white vinegar with three teaspoons of baking soda to create the cleaning formula.
Take a small brush, and stir the mix until it forms a paste. With the brush, apply a generous coating of the paste onto the silicone sealant.
Abbas advised: “Let this sit for five to 10 minutes and then use the brush to clean along the sealant, giving special attention to problem areas.
“After brushing, the accumulation of dirt, oils, films, stains and mould should be easy to lift off the sealant.”
Post-treatment, wipe down with paper towels and cold water to get rid of the gritty baking soda. Rinse the area thoroughly. If any stubborn spots linger, you may need to go another round with this approach.
Although silicone is a highly durable material, it can degrade over time. Most manufacturers suggest replacing it every 10 to 20 years, but certain signs indicate silicone sealants need to be replaced earlier. These include cracking, peeling, discolouration or the formation of gaps.
