How to Clean Bathtub Caulking

Make your bathtub area sparkle by thoroughly cleaning dirty caulk.

Caulk around your bathtub keeps water from seeping behind the tiles. Over time, the caulk gets dirty and need to be cleaned. Whether the caulk is dirty from soap scum, mildew or everyday dirt and grime, cleaning it can be done with products you likely already have around your home.

Things You'll Need

• Chlorine bleach
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• Bowl
• Spoon
• Small paintbrush
• Plastic wrap
• Rags
• Paper towels

Instructions

1. Mix 1/2 cup bleach and 1/4 cup baking soda in a bowl. Stir it up so it’s a paste-like consistency.

2. Spread a thick layer of paste onto the dirty caulk with a small paintbrush. Cover the paste and caulk with plastic wrap to prevent the bleach from drying.

3. Wait two to three hours for the paste to do the work cleaning the caulk. Wipe the paste from the caulk with a damp rag.

4. Soak paper towels with undiluted bleach if the caulk is still dirty. Lay the bleached-soaked paper towels onto the dirty caulk. Let the paper towels stay on the caulk overnight. Take them off the next day and rinse the caulk with water.

Tips & Warnings

• If your caulk is in need of a light cleaning, spritz it with rubbing alcohol and scrub with a rag. This will remove surface dirt and grime from the caulk.

• Wear rubber gloves and ventilate the room well when cleaning with chlorine bleach -- you might consider a respirator mask. Never mix bleach with ammonia -- the combination forms a toxic gas.

References

• The Seattle Times; Tips on Removing Caulk Mildew, Saving a Poorly Stained Deck and More; Gene Austin; July 2008
• Struture Tech; Moldy Shower Caulk… Fixed!; Reuben Saltzman; April 2011
• AllAboutHome.com: Bathroom Cleaning Tips