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  • Ridding your bathroom of black mold can be difficult, particularly when the fungus invades the porous grout between floor or wall tiles. In addition to being unsightly, mold can also cause a health risk in your home. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, mold exposure may cause sneezing, runny nose and skin, throat, lung and eye irritation in people who are sensitive to mold. Cleaning shower grout at the first sign of mold can help prevent the fungus from multiplying in your bathroom.

    First Steps

    Removing the top layer of mold is the first step in grout mold removal. Before you begin, protect yourself from mold spores and cleaning products by wearing a pair of plastic or vinyl gloves and goggles. Remove towels, area rugs or any other items that could be stained by cleaning products. Run a toothbrush under warm water and begin scrubbing the grout to remove surface dirt, mold and soap scum. Wet the toothbrush frequently during this process. This process will not completely remove mold, although it may diminish the moldy appearance of the grout.

    Apply the Cleaner

    Mix 1 cup of chlorine bleach with 1 tbsp. of laundry detergent and 1 gallon of water. Dip the toothbrush into this mixture and apply it to the grout lines between the tiles in your shower. Groutcleaning.com recommends testing a small area first to ensure that the bleach solution will not discolor the grout. After applying the bleach solution, wait 10 minutes and rinse the tiles with warm water. Repeat the process if necessary. Keep doors and windows open during cleaning to prevent a build up of bleach fumes in the room.

    Source:

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home

    Groutcleaning.com: Removing Tile Floor Mold and Mildew

    University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service: Household Cleaning

    More Information:

    Florida Solar Energy Center: Mold Growth

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