If you have black grout on your shower walls, it can may seem tricky to remove. Whether the shower is new, or the grout is old and you simply haven't removed it yet, it's still possible to clean it off the walls with a little hard work. A few household and products and store cleaners will take off black grout from shower walls and take care of any mold or mildew build-up at the same time. After you've cleaned your shower, take care of it to prevent other stains from returning.

Cleaning Products

Several shower cleaners contain chemicals that may be harmful to breathe, especially if you have pets or children in your home. For safer alternatives, try green bathroom cleaners that contain less harsh chemicals. Window cleaners like Windex also work to help clean away shower grim and black grout. For a strong substance to scrub the walls, "Clean Home, Green Home" recommends mixing a mild abrasive cleaner, 1/2 cup of baking soda and liquid Castile soap in a bowl until it forms a paste. Add the soap last and add more as needed to create a paste. For less stubborn stains and small amounts of grout, mix together 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar into a bottle of water.

Cleaning Methods

Spray the mixture of your choice onto the shower walls and let it soak in for three to five minutes. Use a sponge or stiff bristled scrub brush to scrub at the tile and shower walls. Use a toothbrush to clean the cracks in between tiles. Rinse off the walls and use the mixture of abrasive cleaner, baking soda and Castile soap to clean the tougher grime. Apply it to the walls with a sponge and let it soak for about five to 10 minutes. Once it's had time to sink in, use your sponge or scrub brush to clean the walls and rinse as before. You may need something stronger, like a paint scraper, to remove large chunks of grout.

Avoiding Build-up

While the grout may be gone for good, the best way to prevent mold or mildew on your shower walls is to take care of your shower on a daily basis. After you've finished showering, stretch the shower curtain out instead of leaving it slid over to one side. Leave a window open or a fan on and open the bathroom door to let air circulate. Keeping the bathroom dry discourages growth of mold. When you finish with the shower, spray the shower walls and curtain, if you have one, down with a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water. Once a month take a few minutes to scrub the walls and tile. Rinse the shower with warm water and let it dry.

Source:

Clean Home, Green Home: The Complete Illustrated Guide to Eco-Friendly Homekeeping; Kimberly Delaney; 2008