The only time you should see some black stains on your tiles is when you opted to use a black grout for it. Unfortunately, wet tiles, especially in a bathroom or shower, can become a breeding ground for mold.
It is recommended to have your grouts resealed every year, but black mold can still grow even in the best bathrooms. If this annoys you, there are several ways to deal with it using common household items. This depends on the severity of the mold and there’s no harm in trying each of these to see which one is the most effective.
Bleach
Bleach is the most effective method for removing mold from shower grout.
- Method One: Make a solution of one-part bleach and four-parts water, and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the affected area and scrub with a brush after 30 minutes. Rinse with water and repeat if necessary.
- Method Two: Using a toothbrush and undiluted bleach, scrub directly into moldy grout and let sit for 30 minutes. Rinse with water and repeat if there is still mold remaining. Source: JDog Carpet Cleaning & Floor Care
Hydrogen Peroxide
Make sure to do a small test area first. Use a spray bottle or sponge to apply hydrogen peroxide to your grout. Allow it to sit for several minutes. Scrub the grout with a narrow scrub brush or toothbrush. Rinse completely with warm water.
- Try repeating this several times.
- Baking soda is abrasive, so keep it off the tile as much as possible. Source: WikiHow
Baking Soda or Borax
Baking soda and borax are both alkaline substances. Mold doesn’t like that. Mold prefers to grow in slightly acidic environments instead. Because of this, you can use baking soda or borax to kill mold and then scrub it off.
There are three ways to do it:
- Make a borax or baking soda paste with a bit of water and apply it to the moldy grout. Let it sit for about 15 minutes, then scrub the area with a brush and rinse it with water.
- Apply some borax or baking soda powder directly to a damp cloth and use that for cleaning the grout.
- Mix 1/2 cup of borax or baking soda with a gallon of water. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution over the mold and mildew. Let the mixture sit for about 30 minutes. Then, use the scrub brush and rinse it with water.
Remember, baking soda is abrasive. You should avoid scrubbing your tiles directly with a baking soda mixture. If you’re going to use this cleaning agent, use a thin brush or toothbrush. Source: Kitchen Cabinet Kings
Hopefully, cleaning your grout to avoid mold buildup won’t be too much of a burden for you. Just remember that this type of fungus can be harmful to the health especially if it’s all over your house.
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