Almost everyone has encountered the frustration of discovering mould and mildew accumulating on tile grout. This issue is especially prevalent in showers and baths, where soap residue combined with humid, warm conditions creates an ideal environment for growth.
It’s frequently ignored simply because it’s so widespread – but this doesn’t make it harmless. Defspite the vast array of mould removal products available in shops, many fail to deliver results. One woman, disappointed with an ineffective mould cleaning product she’d recently purchased, turned to Mumsnet to share a Pinterest-inspired technique that left her amazed – though it comes with a professional caution.
Posting on Mumsnet, Kveta revealed how she successfully eliminated mould from her shower grout using a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and bleach. Her post was headed: “I made my own grout cleaner yesterday, and it was the best thing ever.”
Kveta continued: “I may be a little late to the ‘bicarbonate of soda’ worshipping party, judging by Pinterest, but after using a whole bottle of some expensive and toxic grout cleaner from Homebase, and nothing happening to the mould on the grout in the shower, I googled for ideas yesterday.
“One way was to mix bicarb with bleach in a three-to-one ratio, then smear it onto the grout, leave overnight, and then rinse off, so I gave it a go, and wow! It looks brand new! The recipe on Pinterest was for three-quarters cup of bicarb and one-quarter cup of bleach.
“I just did it by eye, and mixed it in an old jam jar. Maybe made three quarter cups in total, and have one third of it left. Oh, and I applied it with an old toothbrush, which may or may not be why it cleaned so well.”
In a cautionary chat with Home and Gardens, Justin Carpenter, the founder of Jacksonville Maids, issued a stark warning: “Never mix bleach with anything except water.
“Bleach is very reactive with various chemicals, including detergents and disinfectants, but especially bases (like baking soda) and acids.”
However, some cleaning enthusiasts swear by using bleach solo for their tasks. One individual shared: “I use the domestos spray bleach, or any thick bleach, and it makes it bright white. I don’t get what the bicarb adds to the party.”
Another suggested: “Try using just bleach, works a treat, no need for the bicarbonate as well.”
And a third person boasted: “Mr Muscle thick gel toilet bleach got my grouting and silicone sealant looking as good as new overnight.”
