How To Remove Mold From Tile Grout

Have you noticed your allergy attacks becoming frequent, but you are pretty sure dust is not around the place? Well, you might want to check your tile grouts to see if they are still sparkling white. I don’t mean to scare you, but your cleaning doesn’t end with wiping your tile floors.

You might miss those growing molds in your grouts that need your attention.

A mold is a form of fungus composed of microscopic organisms found practically anywhere. Yes, they can grow anywhere without your approval. And if you will notice, they are available in black, white, orange, green, and purple.

Usually, when there is moisture, you can expect mold growth, especially on the grouts of your tiles, as they are not the focus of your cleaning all the time.

When mold grows on surfaces, spores are discharged into the air and easily ingested. If allergic to mold and inhale a high number of spores, you may have health difficulties. Mold spores are generally safe in tiny doses, but when they land in a wet location in your house, they can begin to increase.

But don’t worry—as these microorganisms grew fast, you can also remove them. Hang on; you don’t need to call a professional cleaner this early. On this page, we have collected the efficient ways you can remove mold from your tile grout. Just keep on reading because knowledge in this matter is essential.

How To Remove Mold From Tile Grout

The term “common bathroom and kitchen mold,” often known as “black mold,” refers to a group of fungi that flourish in warm, damp settings. “Stachybotrys Chartarum” is the most prevalent species among them. But you don’t need to memorize the name; what you need to know is how fast they can invade your tile grout!

Believe it or not, this kind of mold can swiftly spread over an entire room just within 24 to 48 hours. What is alarming about it, it can build colonies in less than two weeks once its spores land on damp areas like the wall and your tile grouts. They can even grow into sizes at a pace of one square inch per day.

Therefore, if you don’t start looking for them right now, they might already build an empire in your grouts. Good thing that there are various ways to get rid of mold between your tiles. Remove molds using a variety of chemical and natural cleaning solutions. Still, it’s vital to note that while using these products, you should continuously operate in a well-ventilated room, ideally with an open window. Remember to put on rubber gloves to protect your skin and goggles to protect your eyes from any potential splashback.

So, if you are ready and your materials are already there, let’s get started!

Method 1 – Remove Mold From Tile Grout Using Bleach

The most frequent way to eliminate mold from grout is to use essential household bleach. Make sure you’re wearing a mask to avoid breathing any hazardous vapors. Because chlorinated bleach is an eye irritant, avoid touching your eyes when dealing with it.

Also, don’t spend too much time cleaning because prolonged exposure to bleach might injure the respiratory tract. Here are some steps to do it efficiently:

Step 1:

Mix 1 part bleach to 4 parts water in a spray bottle.

Step 2:

• Spray the affected area.
• Wait for about 30 minutes.
• Use a brush and scrub vigorously (use an old toothbrush for the grout lines).

Step 3:

Rinse with cool, clear water. If the molds are hard to remove, you may repeat the process and rinse them with warm water.

Note: Do not use bleach on colored tiles and grout since it will cause discoloration.

Method 2 – Cleaning Tile Grout Using Baking Soda

If you have colored tiles and grout, you may use baking soda instead. It will not damage or discolor the tiles or pose any health risks, unlike bleach. It will also clean the damaged area; however, it will not kill mold spores as bleach. 

Ways You Can Use Baking Soda

1 – Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with one gallon of water and spray the mixture on the affected area. Leave it for about 1/2 hour, then rinse the surfaces thoroughly with warm water.

2—Dip a damp sponge into pure baking soda and scrub the tiles and grout with it. Rinse with warm water.

3 – Stir a half cup of baking soda and a few teaspoons of water to make a paste. Once done, spread it directly over the mold. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes, then scrub away with a bristle brush. Rinse with water and repeat, if necessary.

Note: If you do not have baking soda but you have borax at home, you can use it in place of the baking soda.

Method 3 – Remove Mold From Tile Grout Using Salt

While bleach and borax are effective for cleaning and deodorizing, another cleaning agent that can help you kill the molds in your grout is salt. It is efficient and easily found in the kitchen. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1:

Rub the affected area with a damp cloth (it needs to be wet while the salt is applied).

Step 2:

Sprinkle on salt, then scrub it into the grout lines.

Step 3:

Let it stay overnight, and rinse the surfaces with clear water in the morning.

Method 4 – Remove Mold From Tile Grout Using Vinegar

One of the most powerful natural cleaners is vinegar. Because of its acidic nature, it provides an environment that hinders the development of germs. It contains antifungal and antibacterial effects, and it can be a low-cost and efficient therapy for a variety of molds. The use of vinegar in killing molds is best when the molds are just starting to grow. Here’s how you can use vinegar to remove molds on the tile grout:

Step 1:

Mix equal distilled white vinegar and water parts in a spray bottle.

Step 2:

Generously spray on the affected area.

Step 3:

Wait for 30 minutes, and scrub the surfaces with a bristle brush.

Step 4:

Rinse using warm water several times for the best result.

Note: Keep the windows open to allow proper air circulation and counteract the vinegar’s pungent odor.

Method 5 – Remove Mold From Tile Grout Using Hydrogen Peroxide

When all other mold eradication procedures fail, hydrogen peroxide — a very efficient fungicide and whitening agent – may do the work for you. If you wonder how badass it is, recent research says that hydrogen peroxide can destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold spores. When administered to these microbes, hydrogen peroxide kills them by destroying their key components, such as proteins and DNA. Here’s how you can use it:

Step 1:

Mix hydrogen peroxide with white flour to create a thick paste.

Step 2:

Apply the paste to the grout and allow it to work overnight before rinsing well with cold water.

Step 3:

Apply a thick baking soda paste to the moldy area. Pour hydrogen peroxide over the paste until it begins to fizz – this will help loosen the mold.

Step 4:

Scrub with a stiff bristle brush, then rinse away with water. Repeat as needed.

If you think about it, you wouldn’t have to fight mold with home cleaning goods if you could prevent it from growing in the first place. As you are well aware, the best therapy is prevention. Why waste time and effort removing mold from grout when you can prevent it from occurring in the first place? To keep mold at bay, deny it the most necessary ingredient for its growth—moisture. You only need to keep the tiles dry to avoid dangerous microorganisms.

But how can you prevent or lessen moisture from a damp environment, such as a bathroom? It sounds absurd. Prevent mold from growing in the grout lines by doing the following:

Common Ways to Avoid Molds in Your Tile Grout, Especially in Damp Area

Proper Ventilation of the Area

Rooms not well aired can accumulate moisture. Prevent this by opening a window or using a vent. The bathroom is the most crucial room to ventilate.

Bathrooms are humid due to steam from hot water running in the shower. Dampness influences mold development, growth, and dissemination. Make sure to run your bathroom vent while showering and leave it flowing for up to twenty minutes after you’ve finished.

Consider opening your bathroom windows during your shower to enable steam and water vapor to escape. Homes with little airflow create ideal conditions for mold growth, which is why opening your bathroom window can keep your bathroom mold-free.

Run a Squeegee

Do this to keep molds from growing in your bathroom shower. After a shower, use a squeegee to eliminate extra water by running it from the top to the bottom of your wall. Be careful when you apply this on the glass shower doors if you have one.

Wipe the Spills Immediately

It’s easy to convince yourself that you’ll wipe up any spills later. However, one of the best methods to safeguard your tile and grout from mold growth is to keep it dry by wiping up spills and splatters as soon as possible.

Moisture, food particles, grease splatters, and other organic matter that fall to your floor and remain there for an extended length of time have the potential to infiltrate your tiled surfaces. Cleaning up a spill immediately after it occurs, on the other hand, prevents these mold growth stimulants from gaining this opportunity and keeps your tile considerably cleaner and mold-free.

If you have a pool in your home, make sure to dry the tiled surfaces after your family and friends have returned from their fun.

Keep Wet Clothes Away From the Floor

Mold feeds on organic compounds like the fibers in fabric materials. You may have observed that damp garments and towels quickly acquire a mildew odor because they provide mold and mildew with everything they require to grow. When you throw those clothes on the ground, mold has a chance to migrate from cloth to tile.

Check your rugs regularly to ensure that wet mats are not accumulating on your floor and causing mold to grow.

After a shower, be sure to hang your towel correctly to dry, keeping it off the floor and away from mildew. Do not throw wet clothes, clothes, and blankets onto the tile in your bedroom or laundry room. Make sure they’re in a basket, but if feasible, give them a chance to dry off first.

Area rugs are another frequently overlooked source of damp material. Entryway rugs, bathroom mats, and even kitchen mats can become wet due to spilled water, sticky children, or precipitation tracked in. Check your rugs regularly to ensure that wet carpets are not accumulating on your floor and causing mold to grow.

Keep Soaps and Creams Somewhere Else

Mold, like every other living entity, must eat. As a result, water is not the sole component contributing to mold growth. Soap scum also provides it with nourishment. Remove, dry, and store your soaps and creams outside your shower to keep soap scum at bay. Remove any soap residue that has remained on the wall or floor tile.

Regular Cleanings and Check-up

Cleaning your floors significantly impacts mold’s potential to expand and thrive. Creating a routine for daily cleanings, thorough weekly cleanings, and yearly professional treatments can help safeguard your grout and tile surfaces.

During your daily cleanings, you should remove any soap, oil, grime, water, and food accumulation from the tile. Your weekly cleanings should use a safe and efficient cleaning chemical to scrub your grout and tile more thoroughly and deeply, clearing the pores of any germs that may be harboring and thoroughly cleaning the surfaces.

Hire a professional tile cleaning business for a yearly cleaning to maintain your tile and grout in good condition and mold-free.

Have a Regular Sealing

Have your bathroom tile and grout professionally sealed to prevent water and soap residue from infiltrating the pores. By putting a sealer on the surface of your tile, you create a protective barrier. It prevents mold formation by preventing moisture and organic elements needed to prevent mold from accumulating. Mold cannot thrive in the absence of water or nourishment.

With these precautionary measures, you can guarantee that there will be no molds in your home. After using home remedies to remove these molds from your tile grout, you can apply different methods to prevent them from growing. However, if those handful methods of removing molds in your grout still don’t work, this is the time you can seek professional help from your trusted tile and grout cleaning company.