How to Clean
Mildew and Mold

Mold and mildew grow in humid and poorly ventilated areas like bathrooms, windows, attics, and basements. Mildew usually appears as small dots that slowly grow outward and are limited to the surface where it grows. Mold, however, looks dark and menacing and can quickly grow beneath walls, ceilings, and other porous surfaces. Understanding how to get rid of mold in a shower is critical.

Surface mold and mildew can easily be wiped off surfaces, especially nonporous ones. However, simply wiping away mildew and mold doesn’t address the causes and potential damage, especially for mold. Using eco-friendly cleaners and field-tested tips, you can learn how to clean mildew and mold like the pros—and keep it from returning.

What is the Difference Between Mildew and Mold?

The Maids® is one of the only residential cleaning services to clean for health. We must know how to clean mold and mildew from a shower and everywhere else! Now you can, too. They are both fungi, but mildew is a surface fungus, while mold can be far more invasive and unhealthy. Mildew is often gray or white, looks flat and powdery, and is usually found on hard surfaces like tile. Mold varies in color, from bright red to black, and can grow on porous and nonporous surfaces. It looks fuzzy and dark, and its appearance typically means hidden mold is behind it.

How to Get Rid of Mold in the Bathroom

Whether you’re learning how to clean mildew and mold in the bathroom, distilled white vinegar is your first choice for a natural, effective solution. Vinegar is one of the essential bathroom cleaners for mildew from grout and tile, bathroom fixtures, and more—and using white vinegar to remove mildew is easy:

1. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted distilled white vinegar.
2. Spray the vinegar everywhere you see mildew.
3. Let the vinegar sit for an hour.
4. Wipe away the mildew with a clean, damp cloth.

You can use 3 percent hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach for stubborn mildew stains. Pour the peroxide onto the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wipe the area with a damp cloth. The acid in white vinegar can also safely remove mold and mildew on windows and mirrors. 

How to Clean Mildew From Grout

Humidity, exposure to water, and soaps and shampoos can break down your grout’s sealant. When the sealant fails, dirt, grime, and mildew cling to the grout, making it unsightly and unhealthy. This natural cleaning solution removes mildew from grout and brings back the brightness without harmful chemicals:

1. Combine equal parts vinegar, lemon juice, and enough baking soda to create a paste.
2. Use a toothbrush to scrub the grout with your paste.
3. Wait five minutes and rinse the grout with warm water.
4. If you still see mildew, pour undiluted 3 percent hydrogen peroxide onto the grout.
5. Let the hydrogen peroxide work on the mildew for 10 minutes.
6. Rinse the grout with warm water.

To remove mildew from grout in hard-to-reach areas, use cotton balls. Soak a cotton ball with hydrogen peroxide, place it on the grout, wait a few hours, and then rinse the area with warm water.

How to Get Rid of Mold in the Bathroom

Like mildew, mold is commonly found in humid environments like bathrooms and kitchens. Mold can grow in drains, grout, damaged caulk, painted walls, and wallpaper. Because it roots into porous surfaces, learning how to get rid of mold in your shower is critical for your home and health. Use this DIY natural mold remover to stop mold growth and further damage: 

1. Fill a spray bottle with undiluted distilled white vinegar and saturate the moldy area.
2. Let the solution soak into the surface for 10 minutes. 
3. Use a stiff nylon scrub brush to scrub the mold until it’s not visible. 
4. Wipe off the residue with a clean, damp microfiber cloth.

While black mold is one of the most dangerous and well-known fungi, mold of any color is a health hazard. Minimize the moisture, clean your bathroom often, and look for early signs of mold. 

How to Prevent Mildew in the Shower

Knowing how to get rid of mildew in a shower and control mold is critical to keep it from spreading. However, there are a few ways you can minimize mildew growth between cleanings. The best way to prevent mildew from taking hold is to eliminate the moisture it needs to thrive: 

1. Turn on the exhaust fan while you’re showering, and let it run for 30 minutes after you bathe.
2. If you have a window in the bathroom, open it to increase ventilation.
3. Leave your shower curtain open and leave the lights on for 30 minutes after bathing.
4. Squeegee your shower walls and doors and dry any water on the floor.
5. Clean underneath shampoo and body wash bottles and dry the bottles.

Light scrubbing every few weeks and resealing the grout yearly prevents mildew and mold. About once a month, clean the shower curtain with vinegar and warm water or throw it in the washer if it’s machine-washable. 

The Maids: Creating Healthier Homes Since 1979

Now that you know how to clean mildew and mold and keep them at bay, what’s next? Whether you use our handy cleaning guides or invest in professional cleaning services, we want your home to be as healthy as possible.

Learn how a healthy approach to cleaning can transform your home when you get your free custom cleaning quote today.