The scum, often called “pink mold,” is a type of bacteria, Serratia marcescens. You might find both of these growths on grout or on the lower part of a shower curtain. Mold and bacteria can trigger health issues, but the small amounts that grow in grout and on shower curtains tend to be more of a cosmetic issue.
It's great on the body of the tile as well, whether there's mould, staining or discolouration – it's great for wall and floor tiles and grout. Whether it's tools or taps, or something else you're tired of looking at, use the Pink Stuff to remove rust.
So here's the surprising fact: the “pink mold” in your shower is not mold. Ready to get scientific? The pink residue often found on your shower floor, covering your grout, near the toilet water line and hanging on the bottom of the shower curtain is actually a type of airborne bacteria called Serratia marcescens.
Renew Tile and Grout
The Pink Stuff is a savior in the bathroom — specifically tile and grout — and it annihilates dirt, stains and mold with ease.
Make a paste of four parts baking soda to one part liquid dish soap. Use your nylon scrub brush and the baking soda paste to scrub the areas with mold. Rinse away the baking soda residue and mold with your shower sprayer.
Pink mold is particularly dangerous if it makes its way into open wounds. Unfortunately, the chance of that can be relatively high if you're taking a shower after suffering from a recent injury and have an open wound. If pink mold develops in your kitchen, it can also get into your food and lead to food poisoning.
To get rid of pink mold in your shower, spray a 50-50 solution of water and white vinegar on the area. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to penetrate and kill the bacteria, then scrub thoroughly with a soft-bristled brush. Rinse with warm water and dry with a towel to prevent moisture buildup. Repeat as necessary.
How long do you leave The Pink Stuff on for? For tough messes, leave The Pink Stuff on for 10-15 minutes. Otherwise, apply it to the surface you wish to clean and wipe it away immediately for quicker results.
Abrasive cleaners can damage certain surfaces. The Pink Stuff could scratch the shiny finishes of stainless steel kitchen appliances, plated metals, enamel, and finished flooring. “Avoid using it on anything that is delicate or anything that can be easily scored or scratched,” Dickerson says.
Sophie Hinchliffe - known as Mrs Hinch - is renowned for using The Pink Stuff throughout her home to tackle any stubborn dirt - specifically mould - and it did the trick once again. Before putting the tip into action, black mould was stuck in the grooves of the tiles, reports MirrorOnline.
Revive Tile Grout
Conveniently, the Pink Stuff can bring the grout back to its original shade. To get the best result, spread the product on the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes before rubbing it clean.
The most common method of removing mould from grout is through the use of regular domestic bleach. Ensuring you're wearing a mask to keep you from inhaling any toxic fumes, this method involves scrubbing bleach directly onto mouldy areas of your grouting using a stiff bristle brush or old toothbrush.
Microban® antimicrobial protection is built in to last the life of the product and protects by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, mould and mildew making it ideal for tiling in showers, bathrooms, toilet areas and kitchens. Suitable for grouting wall tiles and mosaics with joint widths up to 5mm.
Our cleaning expert used a scoop of the paste on a cloth or sponge to clean each surface, leaving it to work for about 10 minutes on grimier spots, such as the burnt dish.
Unlike bleach- or ammonia-based cleaners, the Pink Stuff also claims to be made from nontoxic ingredients.
Grout haze occurs as a result of waiting too long to wipe grout from your tiled surface. Call The Grout Medic if you're seeing this problem.
Baking Soda Paste
Mix baking soda with a little bit of clean water until it becomes a thick paste. Then spread the paste over the stained grout lines and leave it for 15 minutes or until it stops bubbling. Once that happens, you will need to use some elbow grease to scrub the grout with a brush before rinsing.
Grout is applied to fill gaps or as reinforcement for certain structures. Before wiping it, let it set for around 15 to 30 minutes.
Also, you risk causing damage to the area beneath the mold when you leave the vinegar to sit on it for too long. So when it comes to removing mold with vinegar, it's best to avoid leaving it overnight and stick with the 30 minutes to 1 hour sitting time.
Keep surfaces dry. Since pink mold needs moisture to thrive and spread, take the time to dry the shower walls after each use. A squeegee can do the job in just seconds, or you can use a towel. Close and straighten shower curtains so they will dry more quickly.
To clean mold, use regular white distilled vinegar, typically sold with five percent acidity. You can also use “cleaning vinegar” with its six percent acidity. Both are effective at killing mold.