How to Cleanup Mold in Grout and Tile

Grout and tile in moist areas such as the bathroom can become molded. It's very important cleanup mold that has grown on the surface and to help prevent mold from growing back. With a bit of effort and common cleaning items the cleanup of mold can be a simple task.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic Gloves
• Mask
• Water
• Vinegar
• Ammonia
• Borax
• Bleach scouring powder and bleach based scratch free product (do not mix with vinegar or ammonia)
• Toothbrush
• Old cloth or rag
• Spray bottle

1. To cleanup mold, be sure to wear thick, sturdy plastic gloves and a mask. It is very unhealthy to breath in mold.

2. Use proper ventilation when cleaning up mold and using cleaners.

3. Decide which type of cleanser, one that is a base or acidic. Either is effective to kill and cleanup mold, however it's very important not to mix them. The base would be the chlorine cleanser and the acidic would be the vinegar and ammonia mixture.

4. If the acidic cleanser will be used to cleanup mold, use this recipe: 1 gallon of warm water, 1/2 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of borax.
   
   If the base cleanser will be used to cleanup mold, simply buy a liquid scratch free produce that contains chlorine bleach for the tile and a scouring bleach powder for the grout.

5. Apply the vinegar solution or scoring powder to the grout. Use a toothbrush to scrub and cleanup mold.

6. Rinse the grout or wipe away the excess cleanser and dirt.

7. If the vinegar solution was used on the grout, also use it on the tile. If the powder was used on the grout, use the bleach cleaner on the tile.
   
   Apply onto the tile and wipe clean.

8. Allow the tile and grout to completely dry to reduce the chances of mold growing back.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not mix a chlorine and bleach product with vinegar, ammonia or borax. This can produce fumes that can be come very dangerous, even deadly.
• Use caution when cleaning in small places, be sure to use ventilation.
• Only attempt to clean mold on the outside surface and wear a mask and gloves. Never open up a wall or flooring that you suspect may be contaminated. This could require a specialist.

[sweetspirit]

on 6/24/2009 Great information. Thanks for your help.

[greatgreat8]

on 6/23/2009 great article

[sonni57]

on 6/22/2009 Thanks for the good details on getting rid of mold on tile I've had this happen and put bleach on it.

[goodselfme]

on 6/21/2009 Good tips on cleaning up mold in grout and tile. TX