Black Mold Keeps Coming Back? This $2 Fix kills it permanently., by Grandpa Silas on YouTube. 18 min 24 s.
- Video length
- 18 min 24 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Open a window and run the bath fan. Put on gloves and a face mask before you start. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia, because the fumes are poisonous.
Fill one spray bottle with plain white vinegar and another with 3% hydrogen peroxide. Keep them separate and never combine them in one bottle.
Spray the vinegar on the moldy grout and caulk. Let it sit a few minutes, then spray the peroxide on the same spot. Wipe with a cloth.
For stubborn spots, mix borax with a little water into a paste. Spread it on the mold, leave it 10 to 15 minutes, then scrub with a stiff brush.
Rinse the area with clean water and dry it fully with a cloth. Mold needs water, so a dry surface is the real goal.
Check the caulk line. If it is cracked, peeling or moldy underneath, cut it out with a knife and pull the old bead away.
Let the joint dry completely, then run a fresh bead of silicone caulk and smooth it. Let it cure as the tube says before using the shower.
After every shower, squeegee the walls and leave the fan running 15 to 20 minutes. Wipe down the caulk line so water does not sit.
Tips and common mistakes
Bleach only removes the color of mold on grout and caulk, so the growth comes back once the surface gets damp again.
If mold returns through a wall, the wall feels soft or spongy, or the patch is bigger than about a yard square, find the water source and call a professional.
Anyone with asthma or breathing trouble should stay out of the room while you clean, and you should still wear a mask.
Fix leaks and drips early. Mold is only ever a sign that water is getting in and staying there.
Questions
Does bleach kill black mold?
Not on grout and caulk. It fades the color but leaves the root, so the mold blooms back in a week or two. Vinegar, peroxide and borax get to the root better.
Can I mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide?
No. Use them one after the other on the surface, but never combine them in one bottle. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia either, because it makes a poison gas.
When should I replace the caulk instead of cleaning it?
If the caulk is cracked, peeling or moldy underneath, stop scrubbing. Cut it out, let the joint dry, and run a fresh bead of silicone.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
