How To Remove Mould From Grout And Silicone

• What causes mould on grout and silicone?
  • Why does mould grow on grout?
  • What can cause it to grow on silicone?
• Why you must get rid of mould as soon as possible
• How to remediate mould
• How to stop mould growing in grout and silicone
• Contact us today

One of the most common places you will find mould in their home is in the grout and silicone in the bathroom and kitchen. If you find any growing in your home, professional cleaners must treat it as soon as possible.

Here at ICE Cleaning, our technicians can provide thorough mould cleaning services and eliminate all the spores. Our treatments also come with a lifetime guarantee* so you can be sure it will not come back.

Keep reading to find out why mould is growing in your grout and sealant, and how to get rid of it.

*subject to advisories

What causes mould on grout and silicone?

Mould is a fungus that breaks down dead organic material. It is caused by excess moisture, and grows best in humid, poorly ventilated spaces, like bathrooms and kitchens.

As grout and sealant often get very wet, whether they are splashed with water or steam condenses on them, they are at particular risk of outbreaks.

You can normally tell if there is mould growing if you can see black, blue, green, or pink spots on your grout and silicone, or if they are a faded black colour. Read this blog to find out more about the main causes of mould.

Why does mould grow on grout?

Grout is a composite material made of water, cement, and sand, and is therefore porous. It can easily absorb and retain water, and takes a long time to fully dry out, so it provides the ideal conditions for mould.

What can cause it to grow on silicone?

Although silicone sealant is waterproof, moisture can still seep into cracks and gaps in it. This can trigger mould to grow behind the sealant and then spread to the silicone.

Why you must get rid of mould as soon as possible

Mould is not just an unsightly feature in your home. It is dangerous to stay in a property with it because it produces allergens, irritants, and can even release toxic substances.

Normally, it will just trigger an allergic reaction and you may experience a runny nose or skin rash, for example. However, certain groups are more sensitive to it, including:

• Young children
• Elderly people
• People with existing respiratory and skin problems
• People that have weak immune systems

Long-term exposure to mould can cause more serious health problems, such as chronic sinusitis, fatigue, asthma, and even organ damage. You can find out more about the health risks of exposure here.

How to remediate mould

Although there are lots of cleaning products that claim to kill it, you should never try mould removal yourself.

Firstly, it is dangerous to come in close contact with mould without personal protective equipment. When you scrub it, you might release the spores up into the air and inhale them. Certain products, like bleach, can also be hazardous to touch and give off harmful fumes.

It is likely that you will not effectively remove all the spores, too. Should you wipe down the surface with vinegar, for example, you will only kill surface spores so it will still be able to grow.

You may even damage your grout or sealant if you try DIY mould remediation. Bleach and hydrogen peroxide, for instance, are both known to cause your tiles to fade or discolour. You can find out more about why you should not clean it yourself in this blog.

To ensure all the mould is remediated quickly and safely, bring in professional cleaners. Our Dewpoint-accredited technicians will have the specialist products, equipment, and PPE to get rid of all the spores on the surfaces and in the air.

How to stop mould growing in grout and silicone

Although you should not attempt to treat mould yourself, there are some things you can do to stop it coming back.

• After showering or cooking, run the exhaust fan or open the windows until all the steam is gone
• Wipe down the shower and tiles after use to remove any excess water from grout and sealant
• Regularly clean and dry the tiles to minimise bacteria and mould growth
• Hang your towels up to dry after use
• Apply grout sealant to stop water collecting between your tiles
• Use high quality silicone sealant and properly secure products when applying it to stop cracks and gaps forming

Contact us today

Our technicians are fully trained in removing all traces of the mould in a property, and can significantly improve the air quality. They can even advise on how to stop the mould returning.

Get in touch with our team on 0208 066 0360 or at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk for a free site survey and no-obligation quote for our mould remediation services.