how do I clean black mold stains off of bathtub caulk?

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How can I clean bathtub caulk that has been stained black with mold?
I’ve tried an array of household cleaners including bleach. I scrub my bath tub spotless, but the mold on the caulk remains. I think it may have developed behind it, but I rent, so I can’t just remove the caulk. I would rather try everything I can to clean it before I have to show this unsightly mess to the landlord and ask her if I can remove the caulk.

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  1. Catherine says:
    February 6, 2011 at 7:24 am

    Bleach will temporarily remove some of the stain and surface mild/mildew, but ultimately will not kill the mold spores.

    Try taking some baking soda and mixing it with just enough hydrogen peroxide to make a thick paste. Scrub this on the caulking with a toothbrush. It’s really a solution for removing mold and mildew from grout, but it ma work on caulking.

    I wouldn’t worry too much about the landlady and the caulking (especially if you are willing to take responsibility for it). All bathtubs need to be re-caulked from time to time.

    To prevent the problem in the future, or at least reduce it, every time you have a shower, take a corner of an absorbent cloth and run it along the edge where the wall and tub meet. That will reduce the moisture there – which is what allows the mold and mildew to grow in the first place.

    good luck!

  2. anonymouse says:
    February 6, 2011 at 7:24 am

    It’s probably not mold-it might be slip resistant stuff, whatever it’s called. But you have to scrub and
    scrub until it comes off-been there.

  3. R K says:
    February 6, 2011 at 7:24 am

    get a tool and remove the old caulk and re caulk it. or get a spray bottle and fill it with bleach
    and spray the caulk and let it stand a while and rinse off.

  4. Collette L says:
    February 6, 2011 at 7:24 am

    It’s mildew and mildew stains. if you have tried bleach and that don’t work then the only option is to re-grout it using a mildew resistant grout.

    You can get a kit with little tools for doing that and it isn’t that hard. But you can’t use the bathtub for 24 – 48 hours on some grouts.

    So when you do it treat yourself to a nice hotel room to relax afterwards.

  5. susieque says:
    February 6, 2011 at 7:24 am

    I had it in the grout in the bottom of the shower, 1.5 by 1.5 tiles…lots of grout. The showerhead had dripped for a week in the guest bath and it was miserable when I opened the door!
    I took straight Clorox, not the off brand, and simply poured it on the floor making sure to
    cover all the floor….I left the mess there and closed the door. Cracked the window for ventilation.
    The next morning, the shower floor was pristine and white again and the grout was clear again!
    Hope this helps some!
    Good Luck!

  6. Noidea says:
    February 6, 2011 at 7:24 am

    You will not be able to move the mold stain on the caulk. Grout yes, caulk no. Painting over it with white acrylic paint will disguise it for a while, but the only long term solution is to re-caulk. Fairly easy job – go for it.

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