By Debra Maslowski
Living in a temperate climate, the humidity is high almost year round. That means there’s no way around mold in shower, toilet, and other secluded areas.
I could close up my entire house and get rid of the humidity, but it’s over 100-years-old and has lots of places for moisture to creep in. So, I tried something else.
Shower Mildew and Mold In Shower
Mold and shower mildew can not only cause respiratory problems, allergy attacks, and stains, but it can also destroy fabric and caulking, making showers susceptible to leaks. And it can build up fast!
There are many types of mold and mildew, but they can all be treated the same.
Pre-cleaning
Before cleaning the mold from your shower, take down your shower curtain or curtain liner. Then run hot water over all of the surfaces to get it moist. Dry mold can be hard to clean, while damp mold comes off easier. You can wipe down or brush at it with a soft brush, but don’t scrub. Scrubbing will leave grooves, and mold loves hiding in small spaces.
Homemade Shower Cleaner and Mold Remover
It may seem like bleach would be the answer here, but it's not. It will lighten the mold, but it may not kill it. You want to stop it in its tracks. Here's my go-to recipe for cleaning moldy surfaces.
Ingredients
- empty spray bottle, preferably colored to protect the essential oils in this recipe (find them here)
- industrial strength distilled white vinegar, for better cleaning power (find it here)
- tea tree essential oil (find pure tea tree EO here)
- warm water, preferably distilled
Instructions
Fill your spray bottle about ¾ of the way with the vinegar. Top with warm water. Add 30 drops of essential oil for a 16-ounce spray bottle. (Use more or less for smaller or larger spray bottles.)
Shake well and spray on the moldy surfaces. Allow it to sit for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off.
Notes
For mild cases and routine maintenance, this should be enough to keep it clean. For severe cases, you may need to wipe or scrub with a soft brush. Once your shower is clean, add another thorough spritz to keep it clean.
This mix will keep for a few weeks if you use distilled water and shake it every time you use it.
Other Essential Oils For Mold in Shower
If you don’t like tea tree, or have pets and don’t want to expose them to it, there are other essential oils you can use.
- Grapefruit (my favorite!)
- Thyme
- Cinnamon
- Oregano
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Clove
- Lemongrass
- Citronella
- Cedarwood
- Rosemary
Find all of these pure essential oils here.
Most essential oils carry some anti-fungal properties, but these will be your best bet. Use them in increments of 10-15 drops per 8 ounces of spray mix.
Extreme Cases of Mold in Shower
You can try this mix on an old towel left on the mold for a few hours. This will give the cleaner time to get deep into the roots of the mold. If the mold is very severe, you’ll need to call in a professional. There are sometimes underlying circumstances, such as a leak that causes moisture to linger.
Have you ever dealt with shower mildew or mold in your shower? What are some natural methods you used to get rid of it? Share with us!
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Tania C. says
July 25, 2018 at 1:18 pmCan you spray this on baking soda to make a paste for cleaning tile and grout?
Rita Schwass says
July 20, 2018 at 10:50 amIs this safe for vinyl upholstery on outdoor cushions?
Mattie says
July 7, 2018 at 8:05 amI like to use pure vinegar and rub down the spot where I find mold. But eo’s would be a great way to get a good smell and health benefits too.
Debra Maslowski says
July 8, 2018 at 9:43 amI like to use it too, Mattie, but I can’t handle the smell. That’s why I turned to the cleaning vinegar and essential oils. The vinegar is mostly unscented and the EO’s help to kill whatever the vinegar doesn’t.