Black mould thrives in damp, warm spaces, feeding on bacteria and organic particles like dust and dead skin in the air. Bathrooms, with their lingering steam and warm surfaces, make the perfect environment for mould to spread on shower grout and sealant. Just like that persistent houseguest who overstays their welcome, the trick with mould is to keep it from getting too comfortable in the first place.
Instead of opting for bleach, which merely masks the stains and does not kill mould, the experts behind the Instagram page @homeessentials.nz recommend using hydrogen peroxide. The cleaning video showed a bathroom with stained grout and silicone sealants covered in mould spores and dirt.
The caption of the video reads: “Bothered by dirty grout lines? Try out hydrogen peroxide 6%.”
Using hydrogen peroxide for mould removal is a particularly popular cleaning hack as it does not produce toxic fumes or a harmful residue, is inexpensive, and is easy to find.
Although natural, it is vital to wear gloves when handling hydrogen peroxide, as it is stronger than other household remedies like white vinegar and baking soda.
For this method, start by making sure that the affected area is dry before applying the hydrogen peroxide.
To apply it, simply pour it on and allow the solution to soak for at least two hours.
Once the time is up, there’s no need for any scrubbing; just rinse it off with water for a “much brighter grout line”.
Alternatively, if you want a deeper clean, soak some cotton balls in the solution and place them on the mouldy spots to ensure thorough saturation.
To stop mould from returning, it is essential to address the root cause – moisture.
After a bath or shower, make sure to wipe down the walls with a cloth and ventilate the room by opening the windows for several minutes.