How to Clean Bathroom Caulking

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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When you clean the bathroom it usually consists of scrubbing the toilet, mopping the floor and wiping down the bathtub but usually the caulking gets missed. The area where the caulking is located, such as the corners of the bathtub, is a harbor for bacteria and definitely needs to be cleaned. Just follow these instructions to clean your caulking and you can rid your bathroom of germs.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Pour undiluted bleach in the corners of the bathtub where the caulking meets and let it sit for 10 minutes. You can also use a bleach pen, such as the one made by Clorox, to avoid bleach splatter.

Step2

Scrub the caulking thoroughly using an old toothbrush or a very small scrub brush. Let it sit for 10 more minutes to allow the bleach to settle into the cracks.

Step3

Rinse the bathroom caulking with hot water making sure to flush out all the loose dirt. It may require a couple of rinses. Agitate tough areas with the toothbrush while rinsing.

Step4

Dry the bathroom caulking with an old towel or washcloth. Allow the area to air dry overnight.

Step5

Spray the caulking with Lysol after it is thoroughly dry to prevent the formation of mold and mildew.

Tips & Warnings

Spray Lysol on the bathroom caulking regularly to keep it free of mold and mildew.
When using bleach make sure to open a window to avoid inhaling the fumes.
Put the used toothbrush in a safe spot so someone doesn't accidentally use it again for brushing their teeth!
Don't use a nice towel or wash cloth to dry the caulking as it will leave bleach stains or holes on the towel.