I have a horrible build up of mildew where my tub meets my tile shower walls. Can anyone give me a suggestion besides bleach that might get it out. I am pg so I don't want too many harsh chemicals if I can get away with it. Thanks in advance.
I want to thank everyone for their responses. Especially getting my husband to do the work. He is out of town this week so and so that didn't happen. I was on a mission, so last night I went to Target and got the Tilex Mildew remover, thanks to your responses. It did the trick and looks great! Thanks ladies
Tilex Mildew Remover. Just spray it on and go. Do not wipe it off. I will do the work for you. Get the gel kind that clings to the stain. I promise you it works.
Try the new comet gel mildew stain remover...it has worked wonders for me. The smell is not too strong. I'm pg also and have used it.
If it is as horrible as you say, bleach, Tilex or re-caulking are the only things that are going to help you. And you say you're preggers? Here is the remedy for your problem:
1) aquire one of the solvents listed above.
2) place them into husbands hands.
3) put husband in bathroom.
4) tell husband what area you would like to see white again.
5) rinse, repeat.
:)Margaret:)
Hi C.,
You may have a bigger problem than the mildew build-up at the tile level. If your home is 20 or so years old, it is very common that there is mold back behind the tile, which will only be exacerbated by continued use and moisture getting back there.
There aren't too many natural products that really address mildew well (in my limited experience), and particularly now that you're pregnant, you are especially vulnerable to chemicals... You may have enough time to have the old tile torn out, backerboard replaced w/Hardibacker (which is a water-impervious cement board instead of the old drywall moisture barrier greenboard they used to use)and have it retiled.
The tough thing is that you won't know until you open it up, but if the mildew is built up and persistent, it's probably mold, which will be more toxic if left unaddressed.
Let me know if I can be of help. I'm a designer w/a qualified contractor who can be of quick help if needed. Best wishes to you!!!
aly chapman
cogent concepts design
I only use bleach for mildew, but I use baking soda and vinegar for other things (including jewelry). That might work for your tub.
Bleach is your best option. Try using one of those bleach pens so you don't have to be exposed as long. You just swipe the pen around the edge where the mildew is and then leave it to sit for an hour or two. After that, just rinse it away and it should be a lot better.
I read the other responses and I agree with the Tilex. Just a side note, that works the same way on your outdoor lawn furniture cushions. I have a swing and a lounger that has material on it. I just spray Tilex on it, let it set for a few minutes and then I rinse it off with the water hose. Looks new again. Great stuff....
I was also going to say, get your husband to do it. You really do need bleach. I tried with vinegar and baking soda for a long time, and although they are great for hard water build up, soap scum, and whatever else builds up in bathtubs, they don't do a darned thing for mildew.
One warning though, tell your hubby not to mix bleach and vinegar. Apparently that produces toxic fumes.
Tilex is the best thing; it has a strong odor at first, but it works wonders!!!
Margaret is my new hero. She said exactly what I was going to suggest to get rid of mildew. A husband and Tilex.
Tilex even has a new product that I LOVE, it is called "Tilex Mildew Root". It is awesome. Remind your husband to open a window so he will not be overcome with the fumes....
While Bleach will work the fastest. . . I try not to use it in the house whenever possible. . . too many chemicals = not a good thing . .
My suggestion would be hydrogen peroxide (the cheap brown bottle stuff from the pharmacy) . . soak it on straight and it should eat the little germies away.
Hydrogen peroxide doesn't whiten as well as bleach, but it does clean well and without the chemical smell.
Try the Hydrogen peroxide (HP) and if it doesn't whiten well enough get the hubby to use the bleach one time and then you can spray a mix of 50% HP/ 50% water after every shower/tub use to keep the mildew away.
And congratulations . . .
Sounds like your tub needs to be re-chaulked.
Get your husband to remove the old mildewed chaulk with a razor or scraper and then reapply using a chaulk designed to resist mildew. Your tub will look like new.
Might peroxide work? I like Margaret's recommendation. I think I'll use that for lots of stuff around the house.
Congrats on your pregnancy!
Good old fashioned vinegar does amazing things! Good luck & God bless! H. B
I would use bleach to get rid of what is there to give you a clean start. Then use 9% white vinegar (you can find it with the pickling and canning suppliers in the grocery) or hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Just spritz down the area a few times a week. Also, keep the curtain/door open to encourage the surfaces to dry more throughly. You may need to recaulk/grout because the moisture could be wicking into the substrate.
Bleach and Tilex are toxic for children not to mention yourself if you have difficulty breathing. Go to tipnut.com to learn how to make your homemade brew of cleaner. I use the vinegar and citrus recipe myself. Costs less and smells great!
