The women of our church will usually clean the home of an expectant mother before the new mommy returns from the hospital and for the 1st month or two after she's at home. We seem to always run into problems w/black, moldy tile grout in the shower areas. Does anyone have tips on how we can clean the moldy tile grout and keep it from returning?
I would love to hear any suggestions as well. I have a travertine shower that I have tried everything on. I have stripped the shower tiles, and I still can't get it all off.
S.
WOW, how fantastic of you women to do this for new mothers!!
Here is a very effective way to get rid of mold in any location, and is a nice, safe, non-toxic way to deal with it in the home of a new baby.
I found it at Care2.com.
"Tea tree oil, an essential oil found in health food stores, is a broad spectrum fungicide, and is absolutely fantastic for removing mold and mildew. The problem is that it has a strong smell that some people don’t like, although few are actually sensitive to it. Put one teaspoon of the tea tree oil and two cups of water into a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on the mold. Don’t rinse. The smell will dissipate in a few days.
Three percent hydrogen peroxide can be used for an odorless spray. Place equal parts water and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (available in pharmacies) in a spray bottle; don’t rinse after you’ve sprayed the mixture on the mold.
The third option is to scrub the area with a borax and water paste, let set until the borax is dry, and then dust off the borax."
Care2.com is a great website where you can find home cleaning solutions that support health and safety, especially for children. (Look under Healthy & Green Living, and then, on the page it takes you to, look under Healthy Home on the left.) Nice to get the chemicals out and safeguard children from asthma, allergies, and many other problems that come, in large part, from exposure to ingredients that should never have been allowed on the market!
L.
Bleach will clean it, but it will not stay away as long as it is wet in the area
soft scrub with bleach works well too... let it sit for a good while before scrubbing or rinsing it off. Also, you can buy a spray bottle and mix bleach and water & leave it for the couple to spray after they shower.
it has harsh fumes but but tilex mold and mildew works great!
Try a Mr. Clean magic eraser. They work wonders, just keep away from children. Or if you would like try Vodka. It keeps it from returning!! Hope everything works out. S.
I have found that using Seventh Generation tile cleaner works wonders! It's all natural so you don't have to worry about harming the new baby or mom.
Hi P.
I think that is a wonderful idea! I am not sure what you currently use but I would really recommend some non-toxic cleaners to welcome the new baby. I have been using them for about a year now and they work GREAT!! I have tile and never a problem with the mold issue anymore! I order them by phone or on-line if I choose. Unlike many cleaners they actually give me my money back if I do not like them! And best of all they are not harmful to me or my family! That has put my mind at ease when cleaning around my children. I do not have to worry about the things I use causing them to suffer from allergies or being poisonous to them! I would be glad to share with you what I use and give you more info on it if you are interested! Thanks and Good Luck!!!
Thanks
C. Stork
www.forourkidz.fourpointmoms.com
I use a bleach pen in all the moldy/grimey crevices of my showers- it works wonders!
I use bleach and an old toothbrush. It works for a while, but is labor-intensive.
this is not about the shower but for the kitchen microwave, since new babies are coming home, the most effective/non toxic way for cleaning the microwave, take a good glass bowl,measuring cup, pyrex dish etc and fill half way with water, then take a lemon and cut it up and put in the water then turn your microwave on for like 10 minutes, let it rest for about 5 minutes, the take a papertowel and wipe away what the steam has released from the insides of the microwave. Best of all, it does not leave a harmful chemical that when microwaved will make everyone including pets very ill
B careful, mould means bacteria.
You may way to spray it with ammonia or vinegar
and let it soak at least over night.
Then spray it down with hot water.
Then clean it good, if necessary with a scrub brush.
God Bless Good Luck
Tilex max for mold and mildew.
GOD BLESS YOU! That is the best thing in the world for an expectant and new mommy! So many moms are so driven they don't let themselves rest when they need to because they think they have to get the house clean. Where I go to church we bring meals to the new moms, which is also great.
I have fiberglass tubs which are no picnic to clean, but I've heard bleach and tilex are good for cleaning tile grout-as for it not coming back...stop showering! LOL
