Stop scrubbing silicone sealants as 1 natural item ‘eats away at mould’ in three minutes

Stop scrubbing silicone sealants as 1 natural item ‘eats away at mould’ in three minutes (Image: Getty)

Black mould is the most common and dangerous type of bathroom mould, thriving in damp conditions and on moisture-rich bathroom surfaces. To reduce the risk of mould, keep these areas clean and dry.

Aaron Christensen, Homeaglow’s cleaning guru, suggested a pantry staple as an alternative to bleach for cleaning silicone sealants.

He advised: “The lowest-effort way to clean bathroom sealants is to get some vinegar from your pantry. 

“Not only will this save you a trip to the shop for mould-specific chemicals, but it will save you time in detoxifying your bathroom from bleach or other toxic substances you may use to remove mould.”

Aaron further explained that mould typically appears along the linings of showers, baths, and sinks (also known as silicone sealants) because they are designed to prevent water from seeping into bathroom fixtures.

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How to use white vinegar for cleaning (Image: EXPRESS)

He recommended: “The easiest approach to try first is spraying some vinegar over the sealant, taking special care to spray into the corners.

“I recommend spraying over the entire length of your silicone sealant, as it’s likely that even if you can’t visibly detect any mould yet, the warm, damp bathroom environment that caused the mould will be beginning to work on the rest of your silicone lining.

“After you have left the vinegar spray to sit and eat away at the mould for at least three minutes, use a damp cloth to wipe off the vinegar and mould.” Then, use a clean cloth to wipe the surface.

If white vinegar alone doesn’t do the trick, mix it with another household staple: baking soda (about two to three teaspoons). However, this method will require some scrubbing.

If white vinegar alone doesn’t do the trick, try mixing it with baking soda (Image: Getty)

Combine the two into a thick paste and spread it over the silicone sealant until the mould is completely covered.

Let it sit for five to 10 minutes before scrubbing in circular motions with a toothbrush. Use a sponge dampened with cold water to wipe off the mixture.

You can also soak a cloth (or toilet/kitchen paper) in vinegar and place it over the paste to prevent it from drying out. This will “increase the working time” of the paste and its “efficacy”, Aaron suggested.

If all else fails, it might be time to bring out the heavy-duty cleaners. The expert said: “Bleach is good and you may already have it at home.”

To make a spray, mix bleach and water in a spray bottle, using a ratio of one part bleach to four parts water. Secure the lid tightly and shake well to mix. Then, spray onto the areas covered in mould.

Since bleach is more toxic and you’ve already wiped the rest of the silicone with vinegar, only spray it onto the visibly affected areas.

Let this sit until it evaporates. Afterwards, you can use a damp sponge to thoroughly clean it.

Households need to be vigilant for large patches of mould and refrain from cleaning these areas themselves as they could be dealing with water damage, a plumbing problem, or a mould infestation. In such instances, it's best to call in a professional.