What's a green way to get rid of mold in the grout (sp?) between tiles, in the shower?

Question

What's a green way to get rid of mold in the grout (sp?) between tiles, in the shower?

Answer 1

I think the best solution will be the greenest one on this. Use something several weeks in a row and kill the mildew and mold. Then seal the grout so the mold can't get a foot hold again and your done.

If that isn't green enough here are some more choices. Some are greener than others. But you can pick the one you want they all kill mold. Of course you don't kill mold with things that are benign. Almost anything that will kill mold will kill you in the right dose. Most of the commercial products are made from  things years of testing have been found to be safest to people and still kill what you want.

Borax, boric acid, Clorox, copper sulphate and antifreeze are the easy ones to find. They are all water soluble so they will wash away when you turn the  water on in the shower.

The ethylene glycol in antifreeze is probably the most toxic to both people an mold it will penetrate the grout and keep mold from coming back the longest. But it also keeps any sealer from sticking to the grout until it washed out when it won't keep the mold from growing any more.

If you can cut off the oxygen for long enough the mold dies but not its spores. Enough  cycles of treatment a regrowth will eventually kill out mold. I don't think that's practical in a shower with tile.

Tilex for 3 or 4 weeks and sealers is probably the best bet.

GC

Answer 2

If you trust the industry, then use bio-degradable soaps.

If not, then use citrus acid.

Answer 3

i let the water run while i am getting my hair wet, then shampoo up - water goes off while i soap my body - then water back on, rinse everything - dump conditioner in my hair...

i have a mean metal scrub brush that looks like something a robot would brush his teeth with. i scrub the c**p out of the grout (which is nicely wet from the shower and suds) while the conditioner is working.

sometimes i have to dump a little vinegar or peroxide on there to jump start things - baking soda also works.

usually the 5 minute scrubbing i do every day or so keeps it under control.

Answer 4

I would use steam or borax and a scrub brush.When you get it under control vinegar should keep it gone.

Answer 5

That depends on why you need to be green.  If it for personal fullfilment then consider trying vinegar.  This may work over time and is nonsynthetic.  Although if your green consciounce goes deeper you would have to home grow the vinegar because of the the fuel burnt fermenting grapes into vinegar, the energy that went ito making the bottles, and then shipping them across the country.

Vinger would also be less caustic to young children.  But if you really want  the mold gone use Tilex.  The harsh chemicals in these cleaners do the job ten time better, meaning you use less chemical.  And they all go through thesanitary water system for treatment, so you dont harm the groundwater or soil.  And they have to be applied only once or twice, compared to homeopathic weekly regimens.

There are times when going green (such as reducing electricy use and water consumption, or not fertilizing lawns) actually have an impact on the green movement.  And other times it just becomes a marketing scam to sell "green" products and cleaners that claim to be "green" for various reasons, yet have no proof they offset any problems with out current crisis.