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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

Dealing with black mouldy shower sealant

32 replies

BertiesMangos · 28/09/2021 13:42

So the shower in our ensuite is pretty mouldy. Black mould all over the sealant at the base, and in a lot of the grout.

It's our only bathroom with a bath in, so we bath our baby in the same (tiny) mouldy bathroom (though the sealant and grout around the bath are fine)...and he is also still sleeping in our room, close to the ensuite door, at night.

We're trying to work out the best solution that's also safe for baby (if we should even be concerned?). DH thinks that using mould remover products or digging out the sealant and starting again will release spores and make it unsafe for baby to be in the house for several days afterwards. Is that right? We don't currently have any family nearby so it would be quite an upheaval if we needed to do this. He thinks it's safer to just leave it be for the time being?

What do you think/ what have you used or done?

OP posts:
Burgerqueenbee · 28/09/2021 13:50

Have you tried putting neat bleach on it in the first instance? It can sort it out if the mould is not too badly established.
No advice about releasing spores though.

ChloeCrocodile · 28/09/2021 13:51

I used neat bleach on mine - sponged directly from the bottle on to every little bit of black, and using about half a bottle for the tiles around the shower. I left it on for about half an hour with the windows open (because of the chlorine smell), wiped it off with a sponge and then rinsed all surfaces properly. That cleared everything (killed all the mould) and then I keep on top of it by regular normal cleaning. I didn't need to replace the sealant because it was shiny and white once I'd got rid of the black mould.

MiddlesexGirl · 28/09/2021 13:54

www.plumbworld.co.uk/blog/how-to-remove-bathroom-mould

Original poster
BertiesMangos · 28/09/2021 13:56

@Burgerqueenbee

Have you tried putting neat bleach on it in the first instance? It can sort it out if the mould is not too badly established. No advice about releasing spores though.
We haven't because I thought the risk with using bleach is that you could actually cause the mould to spread instead - but the more I see people say this is what worked for them, the more I want to try it!
OP posts:
PlanDeRaccordement · 28/09/2021 13:59

Common mildew isn’t dangerous like toxic black mould. Using mould removing products properly will not cause dangerous spores to be released. Pps have said what you can use..bleach etc. There are also specific mould sprays like polycell 3 in 1 mould killer. Always have a open window in bathroom or vent fan on (if no window)when using these as the fumes can be horrible.

If that doesn’t work, then having the sealant replaced or tiles regrouped will also not cause dangerous spores to be released. If you’re at all concerned, leave bathroom window open or vent fan on and bathroom door closed while the work is going on. The new sealant however will have to cure for 24hrs so you’ll be without a bath for at least a day. You can get anti-fungal sealant as well which helps keep the mould from coming back.

Blahdyblahbla · 28/09/2021 13:59

Just bleach it, you're overthinking

LIZS · 28/09/2021 14:00

HG Mould spray or lay loo roll around the sealant and soak in bleach, leave overnight then rinse.

Notcontent · 28/09/2021 17:47

You could use vinegar first to kill the mould and later use bleach to get it clean.

Kindleswitchface · 28/09/2021 17:53

Bleach it.

It is probably also black because of a leak in the sealant letting moisture in and not being cleaned properly. It's not the same as rising damp.

earlystreetlight · 28/09/2021 17:54

I mix bleach with cornflour to make a thin paste. Almost like double cream. Then paint it onto the mould areas with a small paint brush. Leave to dry, then wash off with water. Very effective and satisfying.

ButterflyBitch · 28/09/2021 17:57

This stuff. musthaveideas.co.uk/pages/mould-magic-web It looks like it’ll be dodgy or won’t work but it is amazing. We’ve got a mould problem and this is fantastic.

Verite1 · 28/09/2021 17:58

I used Waitrose mould treatment. Was amazing!

Nidan2Sandan · 28/09/2021 17:59

I got mould remover off, I think it was Must Have Ideas, and its AMAZING!!!! I left it on overnight and there isnt even a fleck of mould left.

SecretKeeper1 · 28/09/2021 18:01

@LIZS

HG Mould spray or lay loo roll around the sealant and soak in bleach, leave overnight then rinse.
Can confirm this stuff is absolutely amazing. It does things bleach just can’t do!
didireallysaythat · 28/09/2021 18:02

HG mould spray. Works on the black and orange mold

Ronnii · 28/09/2021 18:03

Scrubbed ours with bleach. Paid a guy £50 to redo the sealant.

garlicandsapphires · 28/09/2021 18:05

The thing about mould magic is that although it seems impressive it’s really just bleach so it’s an expensive way of demoulding

PurpleCurtain · 28/09/2021 19:59

@PlanDeRaccordement

Common mildew isn’t dangerous like toxic black mould. Using mould removing products properly will not cause dangerous spores to be released. Pps have said what you can use..bleach etc. There are also specific mould sprays like polycell 3 in 1 mould killer. Always have a open window in bathroom or vent fan on (if no window)when using these as the fumes can be horrible.

If that doesn’t work, then having the sealant replaced or tiles regrouped will also not cause dangerous spores to be released. If you’re at all concerned, leave bathroom window open or vent fan on and bathroom door closed while the work is going on. The new sealant however will have to cure for 24hrs so you’ll be without a bath for at least a day. You can get anti-fungal sealant as well which helps keep the mould from coming back.

How do we know for sure it's "just common mildew"?

We had the bathroom done 4 years ago and I think the fit wasn't very good plus our pipes aren't the best... the tray takes a long time to drain.

PurpleCurtain · 28/09/2021 20:03

We've tried bleach with ours but it's done nothing...how long do you leave it for?

SecretKeeper1 · 28/09/2021 20:14

@PurpleCurtain

We've tried bleach with ours but it's done nothing...how long do you leave it for?
Get the HG mould spray, seriously. I don’t know what’s in it but it’s removed black spots that bleach and scrubbing didn’t touch. You literally spray it on and leave it.
Shellfishblastard · 28/09/2021 20:16

I use the Cilit Bang black on my grout.

If the mould is right in the sealant you will probably need to replace it

gamerchick · 28/09/2021 20:18

Another vote for the HG stuff. B&Q sell it, it's amazing stuff.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 28/09/2021 20:22

Tile grout can be rescued with bleach but silicone sealant needs to be replaced ime.

Notaroadrunner · 28/09/2021 20:24

Dh just cut off the sealant on our showers recently and resealed them. No amount of bleach or product worked to get rid of the mould. Bleach or mould spray did work on the grout.

Mindymomo · 28/09/2021 20:33

I agree with everyone here about the HG mould spray, it’s amazing, quite strong smells, so you need to leave windows open when you’ve sprayed the grout. It works really quick. I had some bad black mould on grout in kitchen and it’s now back to white. My DH, a plumber of 40 odd years, has never seen a product like it.