Shower Walls

[Don Draper]

My younger brother just moved into a new place. He's happy as it's his first place all on his own.

His shower walls have that little black grout in between tiles. Nothing major or unseemly but I'd like to see it gone. What's the best way to remove this?

I'll call in my cleaning lady for him and maybe I can give her some tips on this.

Can the TERB Brotherhood & Sisterhood weigh in on this? I'd love to hear some suggestions.

 

[OnTheWayOut]

I'd say your cleaning lady should already have the answer. That's her job, right? Most tub and tile cleaners clean mold and mildew.

 

[Mr Deeds]

Tile Bright grout cleaner its a commercial cleaner you can probably get it on line, doesn't smell great but it works

 

[J.A. Prufrock]

Tilex Mold and Mildew remover works great for me. Just spray it on the shower walls and leave (don't breathe that stuff) and it'll be clean when you return. Not sure if it's available in Canada, though, with all this tariff shit going on.

 

[oldjones]

If it's mould, getting it clean again will involve physical work, as well as chemicals like bleach. The various varieties of abrasive 'grout-knives', saws and scrapers the Home Despot's Flooring Dept. carries (not to mention their grout and mould-cleaners, grout-paint, sealers and sometimes expert advice) can help get the cleaner/bleach down to less affected grout. But tell your brother to go easy, or he'll be re-grouting at least a partial layer. Which is another option if it's really bad.

There have been periods when black grout for white tiles was considered fashionable, and I did a couple of tile jobs for a a canny old Rosedale designer who was fond of saying, "The grout is only going to go dark anyway", as he'd pick chocolate brown, midnight blue or forest green. Or black. Make sure you're bro' isn't setting up to try to 'clean' the actual colour.

Once it's done, there is no alternative to a) sealing every inch of grout b) running the fan during and squeegeeing after, along with the fan, and with the lights on until the shower is dry. Mould thrives on wet and dark, and there's no such state as 100%mould-free.

 

[malata]

you can cheat and use liquid paper

 

[IFUSEEKAMY]

Tilex Mold & Mildew is what I like to use but yes haven’t been able to find it on the shelves for a while now. Scrubbing Bubbles makes one as well and it’s just as noxious. Spray it on liberally, leave a window open in the room, and walk away. It requires a bit more elbow grease than Tilex IMO. Comet cleanser & an old toothbrush is awesome too once you get it into a reasonable condition and don’t mind working at it to get it clean.

 

[Twister]

The original clorox works well, it has a higher concentration of bleach than other brands.

 

[Terminax]

Mold is tricky, depending on how deep it goes. If various bleaching compounds and brush work doesn't get it out, that means the staining/mold went deep and it's just as easy to remove the original grout and reapply with fresh material.

 

[james t kirk]

Bleach.

I second this.

Just some bleach from loblaws in a spray bottle will remove mold in a couple of minutes like magic.

 

[Darts]

If it is only a tiny bit, leave it be. It'll be good exercise for his immune system. The problem to-day is that we want everything to be "spic and span" so our immune system gets lazy.

 

[oldjones]

If it is only a tiny bit, leave it be. It'll be good exercise for his immune system. The problem to-day is that we want everything to be "spic and span" so our immune system gets lazy.

If it's only a tiny bit, that's the time to get at it. While it's an easy job. If you think your immune system needs more exercise than living in a City alrady gives it, consider the weeks you showered without noticing how bad the grout was getting.

And you can be confident it will be back to give your immune system another workout, especially if you go at it as an 'easy job'.

 

[boomboom]

Spray 9 from Cdn tire works great

 

[IFUSEEKAMY]

Spray 9 from Cdn tire works great

Luv Spray 9! I’ve never thought to use it for the bathroom hmmmm

 

[Don Draper]

Thank you all for the suggestions!

It's looking very respectable now.

 

[Darts]

Won't bleach damage the tiles and grout?

 

[icespot]

Dollar Store
Chlorox Spray they have two, one specific for mold. Works as good as the more expensive brands. I believe it's 2.50 or 3.50. just spray leave for 15 minutes and rinse.

 

[swood]

Your only masking the actual problem, it will come back. Best and cheapest thing to do is remove old grout and regrout.
Now you need to make sure your show room is well ventilated.
If mold comes back them you have a worst case scenario. You have water penetration and the backer board is moldy.
Good luck.
Very familiar with this situation.