Hard water coats your shower tiles with an Iron and Calcium deposit. These deposits are initially undetectable to the human eye, but if left unattended, they will layer over time, producing ugly dark stains on your tile and/or grout.
If you have had water damage or a long-term leak, what you see might be black mold: Stachybotrys chartarum. This highly toxic mold should only be removed by a professional. But, more commonly, your tile grout has a generic mold.
One way to clean and whiten the grout is by use of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Mix the two ingredients to create a thick paste. Then, using a brush, spread the paste on the mold-affected grout and let it work for 5-10 minutes. Scrub the grout with a firm bristle brush and repeat if there is still visible mold.
Black mould growth on tile grout is a common problem in most UK households. It's an issue most commonly caused by dampness and poor ventilation within the bathroom and shower. It's not always that quick or easy to remove black mould from grout, but help is at hand with the Universeal Grout Mould Remover (see prices).
There are a number of reasons for it, but the primary cause for differences in the shading of colored grout joints throughout an installation is usually uneven curing. If grout cures slower in one part of a job than another part, darker colored joints (in comparison) will develop. The exact opposite also holds true.
Grout is a material that is applied between tiles in order to fill the spaces and hold the tiles together. It is a rough and porous material, which allows dirt and grime to adhere to it very easily. Furthermore, liquid substances can penetrate deep within the grout causing it to look discolored.
If you notice black, blue, green, or pink growth appearing in water-prone areas (most commonly your grout), it's a sure sign you have mold issues.
Hard water leaves behind a coating of iron and calcium on your shower tiles. Initially not visible to the naked eye, when unaddressed over time these deposits will become layered, leaving behind unsightly brown stains on your tile and/or grout.
Mold generally looks slimy or fuzzy, tends to have a raised texture, and can come in a rainbow of colors, including deep green and black. Mildew is powdery, looks white or gray, always appears flat, and grows on surfaces.
Grout that hasn't been sealed, needs to be resealed, or is in poor shape should not be cleaned with vinegar. The vinegar penetrates into the pores of the grout, further weakening the material. Over time, vinegar will deteriorate the condition of the grout by etching or wearing it away.
Tile grout can also turn black due to mold. Mold usually develops in areas where there is high humidity or in areas with moisture. Mold is commonly found on bathroom shower tiles or floors and also on kitchen backsplashes. It is important that you try to remove mold as quickly as possible to avoid health risks.
Grout, the substance that fills the space between individual tiles, is softer than tile and surprisingly porous. Think of it as a hard, dry sponge. Dirt, bacteria and pathogens hit the floor, settle into the dry-sponge grout and cause black stains and unpleasant odors.
When your grout gets grungy Mandy people grab for the standard bleach and a toothbrush to get their grout lines looking white and sparkling again, but it won't work for colored grout. The purpose of colored grout is the color, and bleach will ruin that color.
Bleach. Bleach is the most effective method for removing mold from shower grout.
It grows on cotton, wood, and paper products. It sometimes produces toxic chemicals that are found in its airborne spores and fungus fragments. These are called mycotoxins and are dangerous if they're eaten. There's no link to inhaled Stachybotrys chartarum mycotoxins and deadly diseases.
In most of the cases it is found that the moisture gets into the tiles due to some internal leakage. A leakage might lead to water damage which is a major cause of mold growth. Also make sure there are no dripping faucets in your bathroom which will offer moisture for the mold growth.
I also read that some people use vinegar to clean grout. This is a great way to clear out limescale, but the acidity can be hard on grout and tile, so I'd skip the vinegar. Chlorine bleach can clean and disinfect, but the smell is noxious and any spills would damage fabric. Not my first choice.
When Should You Regrout Your Tile? Grout doesn't last forever. You can expect a lifespan between eight and sixteen years. Its lifespan will vary depending on how you treat your shower.
Loose tiles, mold growth, and crumbling are all key signs that your grout needs attention. Nashia Baker is a skilled writer and editor in the journalism industry, known for her work interviewing global thought leaders, creatives, and activists, from Aurora James to Stacey Abrams.
Avoid Vinegar and Baking Soda
Vinegar and other acids are also a bad idea for stone tile because the acid can etch the stone. Another widely praised household cleaner, baking soda, is alkaline (not acid), but it is not very effective as a grout cleaner.
Baking soda is a safe deodorizer, whitener, and household cleaner—and it's an effective natural grout cleaner. Because baking soda is also a mild abrasive, using it for cleaning grout lines gives you extra firepower without the risk of scratching your tile.