Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Pink (mould?) stuff on bathroom tiles - what do I need?

24 replies

woowoo22 · 27/03/2015 16:25

Just noticed pink stuff on the grouting of my tiles in my lovely bathroom Sad Have a new build and want to get this nipped in the bud as old flat ended up minging and need scrubbed with a toothbrush to get rid of it.

So is there a get rid of it thing and a prevent it coming back thing?

OP posts:
ItsAllKickingOffPru · 27/03/2015 16:44

Air the bathroom well to prevent it returning and use something like Dettol Mould And Mildew periodically to discourage it.

Neat bleach and bicarb made into a paste and slathered on the grouting is a good way to get rid of it. Paste on, leave, then rinse away after an hour or two.

Discounted · 27/03/2015 16:58

Every once in a while I run the spout of the bleach bottle along the grout and leave it without rinsing. It deals with anything that's already growing and seems to stop it coming back for a while.

Discounted · 27/03/2015 16:59

Every once in a while I run the spout of the bleach bottle along the grout and leave it without rinsing. It deals with anything that's already growing and seems to stop it coming back for a while.

didireallysaythat · 27/03/2015 21:36

HG mould spray smells truly evil but works. You can get it in supermarkets, Homebase etc. Spray and 5 mins later it's gone. Works magic on that black dotty stuff you get in the mastik

justcallmethefixer · 27/03/2015 21:45

Cilit bang mould spray worked for me where the detol equivalent didn't

Original poster
woowoo22 · 28/03/2015 07:01

Thanks - have ordered some stuff to tackle it today - yuck! Smile

OP posts:
RulerLenska · 28/03/2015 23:00

You need to dry your tiles after you use the bath/shower so that this doesn't happen again. The "pink" you are seeing is actually bacteria or mould growing.

Original poster
woowoo22 · 29/03/2015 16:48

Thanks Ruler - without sounding daft, what do I dry them with? A towel specifically for this I assume?

Need to get more hooks for the bathroom door, I only have an undersink cupboard to keep stuff in and hate hating too much stuff out on show.

OP posts:
CycleChic · 29/03/2015 19:20

we use the Keratcher window vac for this Grin very satisfying. My dad uses an ordinary squeegie, but I never could be arsed with that; the machine and watching the chamber fill up does it for me, though :)

n.b. I do rinse out the thing and leave it to air dry EVERY time I use it, as I'd be so embarassed if it were to go mouldy s well! we've also only had it few weeks, also.

Original poster
woowoo22 · 29/03/2015 20:45

OOH I want one!!! Is £27 a good price? How much work is it?

OP posts:
CycleChic · 29/03/2015 22:19

Not much work at all, the worst is pulling off the rubber seal to empty the chamber.
And yes, that's a very good price Envy

ZingEasteryName · 29/03/2015 22:31

we have it too

thekitchenfairy · 29/03/2015 22:34

Gah! I hate the red-pink mould. Where have you seen a Karcher for £27 WooWoo?

iamusuallybeingunreasonable · 29/03/2015 22:37

Get a squeegee for getting the moisture off when you get out, no need to dry

cuddybridge · 04/04/2015 11:45

I use Flash with bleach, it comes out foamy so sticks to the grout for a while before I scrub it and the pink gunk off with a toothbrush(old).

PigletJohn · 04/04/2015 19:14

I think the pink happens when it grows on a crust of limescale. Try a descaling bathroom spray.

What sort of extractor have you got, and how long does it run after a shower?

Original poster
woowoo22 · 04/04/2015 19:30

Thanks everyone Smile

The 27.99 came up under "Karcher outlet" when I googled it, under the bit at the top where it shows the different shops and prices.

I think my extractor is just turned on by the light and so switches off when I leave the shower, should I be leaving it on?? Left the window open this week a wee bit.

OP posts:
TelephoneEggGnawingMachine · 04/04/2015 19:35

Slightly odd question. OP - do you live in an area where there are peat moors? I do & I get this problem.

BackforGood · 04/04/2015 19:42

Aha! This is interesting. My lino has turned pink in two patches - one by the base of the shower and one near the toilet. I never realised it was mould, but have been wondering what the dc have spilled there Angry

Can I use the suggestions for OP's tile, on my lino ?

PigletJohn · 04/04/2015 19:50

as long as it is not lino, but vinyl flooring, yes.

FatimaLovesBread · 04/04/2015 19:54

The pink hue tends to be S marcescens, a bacteria that likes to grow in showers when they're damp. Agree with wiping down after a shower. A bleach spray should get it off

SwedishEdith · 04/04/2015 19:54

I think it's bacteria that's specific to soap. If you use hard bars of soap, they can go pink/orange if not used very often. We're in a soft water area so no (little) limescale so don't think it's that

LBDD · 04/04/2015 19:57

I have got rid of the pink stuff in my shower cubicle with a hand held steam cleaner. I just literally steamed it away with no chemicals and after several months it hasn't come back yet so it's definitely worth a try.

BackforGood · 04/04/2015 23:07

Thank you PigletJohn - yes, I think you are right, it's vinyl flooring Blush
Thanks to all for advice

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread