By Debra Maslowski
We have high humidity all year. That means mold in the shower and other hidden areas. I remove them with this mold and mildew shower cleaner.
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 the 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 them 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.
Mold and Mildew Removing Shower Cleaner
We have high humidity all year. That means mold in the shower and other hidden areas. I remove them with this mold and mildew shower cleaner.
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Active Time
- 5 minutes
- Total Time
- 10 minutes
- Servings
- 16 ounces
- Estimated Cost
- $1
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces industrial-strength distilled white vinegar
- 30 drops tea tree essential oil
- 4 ounces 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.
Recipe Video
Notes
For mild cases and routine maintenance, this will be enough to clean your mold in the shower. 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.
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Other Essential Oils For Mold
If you don’t like tea tree oil, or have pets and don’t want to expose them to it, there are other essential oils you can use for mold in the shower.
- Grapefruit (my favorite!)
- Thyme
- Cinnamon
- Oregano
- Geranium
- Lavender
- Clove
- Lemongrass
- Citronella
- Cedarwood
- Rosemary
Find all of these pure essential oils here.
Mold in the shower is a fungus, and many essential oils have 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 Showers
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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Hi Lynn, Yes, high acid vinegar is safe for silicone if used properly. Spray it or wipe it on, wipe off and rinse. The problem comes in when it’s left as a residue.
Hi Nancy, I consider industrial strength to be anything with a higher acidity than 5%. That’s what’s normally sold for culinary use. Even the cleaning vinegar at 6% acidity is a lot stronger.
Just curious, what strength of vinegar is considered industrial strength?
I have a silicone seal in the shower that has mould on, can I use this spray ?
Can you spray this on baking soda to make a paste for cleaning tile and grout?
Is this safe for vinyl upholstery on outdoor cushions?
I 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.
I 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.