A bathroom expert has warned that bleach is only a temporary fix for shower mould and can actually push it deeper into porous materials, but there’s a natural alternative that works better.
Mould can be a frequent problem in homes, especially in the bathroom. To tackle it, many people grab a cheap bottle of bleach and whilst it appears to have done the trick, it’s actually nowhere near effective.
Craig Phillips, from Bathroom Mountain, said that although bleach can eliminate mould from non-porous surfaces, it’s useless on porous materials like grout and caulking, which are typical in most showers.
He said: “Bleach is only a temporary fix. It might seem like it’s gone, but in reality, it just pushes the mould deeper into the material. Before long, it comes back even worse than before.”
Instead, Craig suggested ditching bleach for three per cent hydrogen peroxide, which you can buy for under £5 at most chemists or online, reports the Express.
Not only is it powerful, but it’s also gentler for your bathroom and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.
The expert explained: “To tackle mould effectively, fully saturate the area with hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.”
For vertical surfaces, he advises keeping the area moist by re-spraying during the 10-minute process.
Alternatively, if you want a more thorough clean, soak some cotton wool in the solution and place them on the mouldy areas to ensure complete cover.
However, Craig warned that if mould has established itself in your shower’s caulking, no cleaning solution will entirely get rid of it. He said: “Once mould has embedded itself into caulking, it’s impossible to make it disappear. The only option is to remove the old caulking and reapply new sealant.”
This highlights the importance of preventing mould in these areas. To stop mould from returning, Craig stressed the need to tackle the root cause – moisture.
His first tip is to use a squeegee after every shower to get rid of excess water on the walls.
Make sure you dry the shower area with a towel to get rid of any remaining moisture. As well as this, you can improve ventilation by using an extractor fan or keeping a window open whilst showering.
