How to Remove Mildew Molded Caulk From Your Bathtub

Is the caulk around your bathtub molded, covered in mildew, and nasty looking. Does it make your tub look dirty even though you just cleaned it? Have you considered that bacteria is growing behind that caulk. Do you have children using your bathtub? Water is also leaking in behind the caulk and under your tub. This could cause the floor boards to rot beneath your bathtub. That can make tub replacement expensive. How do you remove mildew molded caulk from your bathtub?

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Putty knife
• Flat head screwdriver
• Paper towel
• Rubbing alcohol
• Damp washcloth
• Dish of water
• Bathtub caulk
• Caulk gun
• Fan or Dehumidifier(optional)

1. Gather all of your supplies and put them inside your bathtub so they are ready to use. Put a little water in a small bowl inside the tub. Dampen a cloth that you can use for clean up.

2. 
    
   Scrape the old caulk

   Scrape the old caulk from the bathtub using your putty knife. Start on one side or corner. Place the edge of the putty knife under the caulk on the tub. Push forward in short jerky strokes. Move it to the caulk on the tile or wall board and repeat this motion.

3. 
    
   Stop every few inches to clear area

   Go back after you scrape a few inches of the old molded caulk off. Use your putty knife to remove any caulk or mold that you missed. If you leave it to dry it will be harder to remove. If you do it now it is easy to scrape off the tub and wall.

4. 
    
   Clean area thoroughly

   Wipe the entire area clean with your damp cloth after you have removed everything you can with the putty knife. Then, dip your cloth in rubbing alcohol and go back over the surface area again where you will caulk.

5. Allow the surface to dry overnight. Don't let anyone use the tub during the drying time. Run a fan towards the tub if possible to assist in drying. Run your exhaust fan if possible.

6. Place your new tube of caulk into the caulk gun and cut it open at the first (smallest) line. Begin in a corner and run a strip of caulk all the way to the opposite side.

7. 
    
   Press lightly with a damp finger

   Dip your finger into the bowl of water. Then put your finger on the new caulk and lightly press from one side of the tub to the opposite side. Do this again at the top of the caulk on the wall and the bottom of it on the tub. It should be smooth against both surfaces and slightly concave in the center. Caulk another side of the tub and repeat the steps with your finger. Repeat these steps on the final side and down the walls, or across the base at the floor if you caulked those areas.

8. Allow the new caulk to dry overnight before using the tub. If possible place a dehumidifier in the room to help with drying. A fan and exhaust fan would be helpful as well. Your tub is clean and ready to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use caulk tape it doesn't stick and removes the surface color.
• Open a window or turn on an exhaust fan for proper ventilation.

Resources

• How to Clean Tile Countertops
• How to Paint Wrought Iron Window Grates
• How to Clean Mildew Out of a Sleeping Bag
• How to Wash White Linens Without Bleach
• How to Know If You Have CA-MRSA
• Foster care and adoption advice
• Parenting tips for busy parents

[jull14]

on 7/12/2009 Excellent article and very helpful for many here at ehow. Thanks for sharing with us, keep up the good work. I really love your articles, they are very helpful and provide easy steps to follow.

[igoldman]

on 7/11/2009 I have an enclosed bathtub that consists of three parts and when they were assembled they were calked inside between parts with a silicone caulk. Now some of the caulk has some yellow and brown spots and I don't think that this is dangerous, but in some parts this caulk covered with a black mildew. I tried to remove this mildew but no luck.
Is there a way to get rid of this mildew without taking the bathtub a part, that would be a very expensive job.

[Coach4U]

on 1/16/2009 Thank you for the great information and pictures.

[almondspecial]

on 8/9/2008 Great artcile and very clearly and crefully written.5*****

[vikki9]

on 8/1/2008 It was helpful for me doing this job (which I am very terrible at) to use blue painters tape very close on each side (wall and tub) of where the caulking will be schmushed. I let the caulk semi-dry, then pulled it off and smoothed the caulking. It made for a much neater result than ever before (for me). Thank you for this article about an icky job that is so important. Very clear.