Homemade Shower Cleaner for Mold
There are as many recipes for homemade shower cleaners as there are commercial preparations. None of these will give off toxic gasses or peel paint off the walls, though you should wear gloves when using sprays intended to control mold and mildew.
Mold Killers
Chlorine bleach preparations are by far the most effective in combating mold and mildew. Used too frequently, they can, however, corrode metal fixtures and even damage your skin if they come in contact too frequently. Consider these formulas as "The Big Guns".
Formula 1: Mix 3 parts bleach to 10 parts water. Decant the liquid into a spray bottle very carefully and let it stand for two minutes before using. Rinse off the outside of the bottle before handling.
Formula 2: Mix 1 part bleach to 1 part warm water. Wipe on, let set for 20 minutes and rinse off. This formula is very strong and you should wear eye protection, a mask, gloves, long sleeves and be sure the area is well ventilated. Clean it all off metal fixtures immediately to avoid corrosive effects.
Formula 3: This "green" formula eschews bleach. Instead mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide in 2 parts water. Put it in a spray bottle and spray it directly on mold and mildew. Wait one hour before rinsing.
Tile and Grout Cleaners
It can require a bit more elbow grease to remove mildew from tile and grout. These formulas contain mild abrasives to help remove mildew from porous and rough surfaces.
Formula 1: Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/3 cup of ammonia, 1/4 cup of white vinegar to 7 cups of water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle and shake it well. To clean, spray on, scrub with a scrub brush or toothbrush and then wipe off with a damp sponge. Do not use with bleach or toxic gasses can be released.
Formula 2: Another simple grout cleaner uses Borax as an abrasive. Mix 3 cups hot water, 1/2 cup Vinegar, 1 tablespoon of dish detergent and 1 tablespoon of Borax. Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake, then spray on. Again, brush the surface, then rinse.
Daily Cleaners
To prevent mold an mildew growth you'll need a milder daily shower cleaner to keep the mildew at bay and remove soap scum. Used regularly these formulas keep mildew and mold at bay.
Formula 1: Mix 1/2 cup washing soda, the kind you find in the store by the laundry soap, with 1 quart hot water. Stir or shake to dissolve the soda, then add a quart of cold water and 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Pour into a spray bottle and spray onto shower surfaces for a quick daily clean.
Formula 2: Mix 3 cups rubbing alcohol, a tablespoon of dish detergent, 4 tablespoons of a dishwasher rinsing agent like Jet Dry and add to 3 quarts of water. This is the base solution. Pour 2/3 cup of hydrogen peroxide into a 32-ounce spray bottle and fill to the top with the base solution. For a 24-ounce bottle, use 1/2 cup peroxide.
Formula 3: Mix 1 cup of vinegar with a squirt of dish detergent and 1/4 cup of dishwasher rinsing agent (Jet Dry). Pour into spray bottle. Do not shake or it will foam and be harder to spray.
Storage
All of these chemical cleaners, homemade or not can be hazardous if misused, drunk or sprayed in eyes. Be sure you always know what is in spray bottles by labeling them properly. Formulas with bleach and ammonia should never be used together and should be labeled as toxic so everyone in the family will know what they are spraying on the shower and take appropriate precautions.
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