A well-maintained bathroom, a beautiful shower and sink, but black spots keep appearing on the silicone? Do not delay because it is mold and it is better to remove it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, if you don’t do it right away, this one will develop quickly. Before you reach for harsh chemicals that can damage silicone, try this clever patent.
Nobody likes cleaning the bathroom. but what really keeps us awake are the various occurrences of mold.
- Molds multiply very easily in the bathroom, which has ideal conditions for this – humidity, heat and frequent problems with ventilation.
It doesn’t take long for disturbing blackheads to appear in various sensitive areas. One of the favorite places for mold to grow is silicone gaskets.
Although not every cleaning agent can deal with mold on silicone, there is a clever grandmother’s trick to deal with it quickly.
A nifty mold patent on silicone
The combination of water and steam makes the air in the bathroom very humid and warm, allowing moisture to settle on all surfaces – especially silicone seals and gaskets.
- We use this type of seal very often in bathrooms, especially in showers or around sinks, and this is where moisture is most easily maintained.
- At the same time, these places are the most difficult for us to clean and dry, due to their accessibility and many nooks and crannies.
However, when mold appears, there is no need to wait, it is not only an aesthetic problem, but also a health risk! Mold develops extremely quickly and getting rid of it from your home is very important. The important thing is that, unlike tiles or grout, we have to be more careful not to simply damage the silicone with aggressive agents and inadvertently cause leaks.
As an expert at express.co.uk explains, typical bleach-based solutions can significantly shorten the life of the silicone and cause it to wear more quickly, leading to leaks. Therefore, it is worthwhile to try natural methods of combating mold, and not immediately reach for aggressive chlorine-based products designed to remove mold. With this simple, grandmotherly method you can also save a lot of money on specialized cleaning products.
You only need two ingredients to make a homemade silicone mold remover – vinegar and baking soda
- Thanks to the action of acetic acid, vinegar perfectly dissolves dirt, oils, films, stains and mold.
- Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is an excellent and gentle abrasive that helps to easily remove stains without damage. It also has a deodorizing effect.
Although it may take a little longer than using chemical cleaners, the use of these two ingredients is not only effective, but also completely safe for silicone, so the silicone retains its key properties and tightness, which means that we lasts longer.
You need:
- baking powder or baking soda
- a small bowl
microfiber cloth - a small brush, e.g. for brushing teeth,
- cold water
How to get rid of mold on silicone?
- In a bowl, mix one cup of white vinegar with three teaspoons of baking soda. When you start mixing them together, a chemical reaction will occur and the mixture will fizz, which is normal.
- Mix these ingredients until you get the consistency of a thick paste.
- Scoop the paste onto a toothbrush and apply it to the places where mold has appeared.
- Leave the paste on for 5 to 10 minutes. After this time, scrub the sensitive areas with a toothbrush.
- Remove the paste with a paper towel, sponge or cloth and then rinse with cold water.
- If there are still black spots on the silicone, repeat the process.
Although silicone is a really durable material, it can become damaged and worn over time. Most manufacturers of this sealant recommend replacing it every 10 to 20 years, but there are some signs that you need to do it sooner.
If you notice that your gasket is cracking, peeling, discolored, or gaps are starting to form, don’t delay and fight mold, simply remove the silicone and install a new gasket.
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