Anyone know how I could make a sort of bleach paste or gel?

Question

I have some mildew stains on my bathtub...and the worst of the spots are on vertical places...anything I spray on them just drains off. It is actually IN the caulking...and I have gotten it clean before, with bleach. But I know that I wasted a lot of bleach in the process (not to mention you could hardly breathe in there thanks to the smell). So I was thinking that if I could somehow thicken some bleach, it would stay on there better, giving the bleach time to soak in and work. I'm thinking that maybe I could use some baking soda or maybe even cornstarch? Is this a bad idea? Or do you have something better in mind? Thanks!

Answer 1

bicard soda hun!

Madgically stuff hehe

Mix it into a little water to make a paste and then cake it on and leave it for a while then it should rinse off and leave it all white and sparkly again =D

Answer 2

use bam i think its toilet cleaner its in a purple/pink and white bottle. its a gel. let it sit for 15 min and theb lightly scrub it with a brush or tooth brush and "bam" thr mildew is gone its well worth the price ....$3.00+

Answer 3

Make up a tub full of this paste to the consistency you want:

Baking Soda

White Vinegar (cheap stuff)

Then use a paint brush and put all over the area.   Leave for at least 12 hours.

If it's not too bad it might be enough, but do you realise there are bleaches that are thicker and don't run off so easily.  Don't know where you are but domestos is one brand around here.

I'd be wary about adding things to bleach, you could get a nasty chemical reaction.

Sugar soap (from hardware stores) you can splash around and leave for a few hours.  It doesn't smell as bad and does a fairly good job.

Answer 4

Soft Scrub with bleach.

Answer 5

get a powdered bleach and make a paste out of it..

http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/Powder_B...

Answer 6

I would try not to use anything abrasive on your tub.  The more you use it, the more scratched up your tub becomes and the harder it is to clean. But, since you say that you've had this problem before, I'm going to assume your tub is already really scratched up.

I wouldn't recommend adding something to your bleach because of chemical reaction with the other agent as well as with your tub.  

If you are into using chemicals (which I assume you are, since you use bleach) then I would suggest buying Lysol Mildew Remover with Bleach.  It has a horrible smell and you cannot possibly stay in the same room with it as it works.  I would suggest turning on the vent fan or opening a window while this stuff does its job.  I would suggest since you are trying to clean a vertical surface to spray a light coating multiple times instead of trying to heavily spray it the first time. (less to run off) This stuff really works on fiberglass and painted surfaces but I have not had to use it on caulk so your guess is as good as mine if it will work or not.

Caulk is very difficult to clean.  Almost always it is better to remove the caulk and reapply new caulk.  It doesn't cost much ($3-4) and it doesn't take very long to install.  Then, once you get your new caulk installed, prevent the problem from coming back by using your vent fan while and after showering or use a squeegee after each shower or just get a towel and dry off your shower/tub.

If you want to be "eco-friendly" or just plain cheap, you can try "Baking Soda Scrub" which is 2 Tbsps. baking soda and some liquid dish soap. Put the baking soda in a widemouthed container and mix in the liquid soap a little bit at a time until you have a nice foamy paste.  Work onto the surface you wish to clean using a rag, sponge, or brush (depends on the amount of abrasion you need) Let it sit 1 to 15 minutes (longer for heavy-duty jobs, shorter for light cleaning) and then spray with vinegar to rinse.  If you are working with a surface that is sensitive to acids (like tile and grout), rinse the vinegar off immediately with water.