mold in caulk in bathtub...

daisygirl17

Any ideas for getting it out? I feel like no matter what I do I can't get the mold out of some of the rubber caulking (is that even what it's called?) in our bathtub - help! I really don't want to use bleach if I don't have to...

I've used vinegar, oxygen bleach and baking soda and then I even tried putting biokleen dish gel on it overnight with seran wrap...(read that grapefruit seed extract works on mold) - I also had a magic eraser, so I used that too. I just can't get it clean and it's driving me nuts! 

Any thoughts?

profchaos

Whenever I have mold anywhere, I use bleach.  I feel that it is the only way to kill it.  If you are trying to avoid using bleach and have tried all those other methods without success, I would remove the old caulking with a putty knife and replace it.  Make sure you use caulking that is made for the bathroom as well.  Also, make sure you are venting your bathroom while showering and after by turning on the exhaust fan, opening a window, or having a box fan running at the doorway. 

sillygoosegirl

I'd go ahead and use the bleach to kill it.

My parents' bathtub has a mold problem like this and they keep the mold from getting a foothold by sponging dry the walls and top of the tub (everything with caulking or above it) after the last shower of each day.  Kind of a pain, but I was used to it growing up.  It might be a good idea to keep the mold from returning.  

Jen&Joe06

I have found that the only thing that works is this product.

RiverPlate

We had this problem in our old house.  The shower walls were that bathroom plastic, caulked at the bathtub.  And the caulk was perpetually slimy and gross.  When we re-did the bathroom, we tore out the plasic to replaced it with tile, and the wall behind the plastic was nearly black with mold/mildew.  We were only seeing the tip of the iceberg!

mah482

Having good ventilation really helps keep that at bay. We have an older house w/o an exhaust fan, so we have to try and keep it really dry.

daisygirl17

thanks all!! We're renting, so I can't remove and replace...well I could, but since we'll only be here another year and a half or so, I don't feel like putting in the effort. But, I would like it not to be moldy...honestly I'm not sure if it's just stained or if it really is still moldy. I think I'll try the concrobium and see how that works...thanks!