Mouldy Bathroom Grout! Bleach, Vinegar, Methylated Spirits! What doesn't work & which one should be used sparingly?

Removing Mould From Your Bathroom

BLEACH
​Okay, so most people when they have mould problems immediately reach for bleach, ammonia or marketed products such as Exit Mould. The trouble with these products is that they simply DO NOT KILL MOULD. You see mould/fungi contain melanin which gives it it’s colour. Bleach or bleach type products just removes the colour out of the mould. So effectively, bleach just masks the mould giving you the illusion of a mould free bathroom but the mould is still actually there, alive and growing.

The other problems with harsh chemicals like bleach and Domestos is that it will harm your grout. Not only have these chemicals been known to remove the colour from grout but they will also weaken the grout’s structure. 

VINEGAR
​Vinegar is a great natural product when wanting to destroy or prevent mould growth. However it should be used with caution.

Vinegar penetrates the structure of mould and causes it to explode, which kills the mould.
Make your own vinegar solution from white vinegar using 70% parts vinegar and 30% part water. (Source: Dr Heike Neumeister-Kemp, Mycologist/mould expert).

The trouble with using vinegar as your go to cleaner is that it is an acid cleaner. Over time the acid in the vinegar will weaken the structure of your grout. If you must use vinegar we suggest to only use vinegar to kill mould initially, then only use it occasionally to keep mould at bay. Never use vinegar as your daily/weekly cleaner.

We approached ARDEX, an Australian grout manufacturer, about what type of cleaner should be used on grout. Here is what they had to say.

"Domestic and some commercial cleaners contain acidic components (such as Phosphoric Acid and
Sulphonates) and others contain organic acids such as Acetic Acid (vinegar), Citric Acid and citrus
oils, and other types such as Lactic Acid. These chemicals when used incorrectly or excessively,
result in colour shifts and patchiness, but also chemical attack of the cement and decomposition of
the grout. It is preferable to use neutral detergent cleaners."

METHYLATED SPIRITS
Methylated Spirits is the all round hero cleaner for your bathroom.

When it comes to killing mould, methylated spirits works the same way as vinegar. It penetrates the mould spores and makes the mould explode. (Source: Dr Heike Neumeister-Kemp, Mycologist/mould expert).

The best part about methylated spirits is that it is a neutral cleaner. This means it is safe to use on most surfaces in your bathroom, including grout. Methylated spirits is safe to use on glass, sinks, chrome taps, ceramic, stone, marble and grout. (Do not use on painted or varnished surfaces).

Another positive about methylated spirits is that it is readily bio-degradable, meaning that it breaks down quickly and naturally. It is safe for the environment. 

To effectively kill mould, make your own methylated spirits cleaning solution with 80% parts methylated spirits and 20% part water.

How to Prevent Mould Growth in your new
​Bathroom Renovation

​Mould is a fungus that reproduces and spreads by spores and it loves growing in damp, moist areas of your home which are poorly ventilated. The circulation of dry air retards mould growth. Hence proper ventilation will prevent most mould growth.

Here are a few things that homeowners can do to try to prevent mould growth. 

• Keep extractor fans clean and clear of fluff
• Make sure the extractor fan is on and have a window slightly open while showering/ bathing
• Don’t have excessively hot showers which steam up the bathroom
• Keep the exhaust fan running for 20 minutes after showering/bathing to remove excess moisture
• Clean your bathroom weekly with a methylated spirits solution.
• Open your doors and windows as often as possible to create good airflow
• Leave the shower door open to let the shower dry out after use

​GROUT 
Grout is not waterproof! Every time you shower, water seeps through the grout, then trickles down to the wall and floor joint.  Water then accumulates behind the silicon joint and creates a nice damp environment. Which is why the wall/floor joint is usually the first place where you’ll see mould growth in your bathroom.

Firstly, if you have a new bathroom that hasn’t been used, we suggest you seal* the grout before the very first shower. This will help to repel water from entering the grout. 
*Note: Grout should cure for 14 days before being sealed. (source; Ardex Australia)
 
If your shower is well and truly used, then we suggest you give your shower a really good clean (with vinegar) then let your shower/ bathroom dry out (yep, this is your permission to take a week off and holiday somewhere really nice). Once your shower is nice and dry seal the grout.
​
If your bathroom or shower grout is extremely mouldy and discoloured beyond repair, then your best option would be to remove all of the old grout and spray the tile joints with either vinegar or methylated spirits to kill any mould spores. Let the tile joints dry out then re-grout your tile area. 

If your bathroom has porous ceramic glazed tiles, we suggest applying a product such as Shower Plug (available Bunnings) over your whole shower area.

IMPORTANT: Follow the manufactures directions when applying the grout sealer and reapply within the recommend time frame to keep your grout sealed. 

Northern Rivers Bathroom Renovations are specialist bathroom renovators, providing a complete bathroom renovation service in and around Ballina, Lennox Head, Bangalow, Clunes, Goonellabah, Lismore, Alstonville and Wollongbar. 

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO NOW?

Home

Contact NRBR

WHO WE ARE