Mold in the shower shows up as black or pink spots on grout, caulk, and corners where moisture lingers. Scrubbing it away and cutting the humidity that feeds it keeps your shower clean and safer to breathe around.
What you'll need
- Rubber gloves
- Stiff brush or old toothbrush
- Spray bottle
- White vinegar or baking soda
- Cloth
Step by step
- Ventilate and protect yourselfOpen a window or run the exhaust fan, and put on rubber gloves. Good airflow keeps you from breathing in mold spores and cleaning fumes.
- Apply a mold cleanerSpray affected grout and caulk with undiluted white vinegar, or spread a paste of baking soda and water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to loosen the mold.
- Scrub the spotsWork a stiff brush or old toothbrush into the grout lines and corners where mold clings hardest. Add more cleaner if the surface dries out.
- Rinse and inspectRinse thoroughly with warm water and check whether any stains remain in the grout or caulk. Repeat on stubborn areas.
- Dry the surfacesWipe everything dry with a cloth so leftover moisture does not restart mold growth. Leave the fan running for a while afterward.
- Prevent it coming backSqueegee the walls after each shower and keep the fan on to lower humidity. Replace caulk that stays black after cleaning, since mold can root deep inside it.
Handy tips
- A daily quick squeegee does more to stop mold than any single deep clean.
- Keep the bathroom door open after showering to let steam escape faster.
- Old silicone caulk that stays stained is often easiest to cut out and replace.
Heads up
- Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners, since the combination can release toxic gas.
- If mold covers a large area or keeps returning through the wall, there may be a hidden leak that needs a professional.
FAQ
What is the pink slime in my shower?
That is usually a bacteria called Serratia marcescens, not true mold. It wipes off easily with the same cleaners and scrubbing.
Does bleach kill shower mold?
Bleach removes surface stains and mold on non-porous tile, but on porous grout and caulk it often leaves roots behind. Vinegar tends to penetrate better.
How do I stop mold from coming back?
Control moisture. Run the fan during and after showers, squeegee the walls, and fix any drips so surfaces dry out between uses.