4 Easy Ways to Remove Mold from Shower Walls

Having mold on shower wall makes an otherwise great bathroom look dingy.

Not only is it ugly, it is also unsafe!  Having mold can lead to respiratory issues and is especially dangerous for people who have conditions like asthma.

Bathrooms are particularly likely to have mold, as mold loves damp places.  A shower is a perfect place for mold to grow.

Mold can especially be a problem in shower grout.  This is because grout is porous, so mold can easily grow undetected.

You want to make sure that you remove mold as sooner as you spot it.  The longer you let it grow, the harder it will be to get rid of.

What you can use to clean your shower walls

There are a few options for what kind of cleaning solution to use to clean your shower walls.  These include:

  • vinegar
  • borax solution
  • bleach solution
  • mildew and mold remover

Vinegar

Vinegar is a powerful, but non-toxic, way to remove mold.  Pour it directly into a spray bottle and use undiluted; it is most effective when it is not watered down.

It does have an unpleasant smell, but that should clear within a couple hours.

Borax Solution

Borax is a natural fungicide and is great for removing mold. Mix 1 cup of borax with 1 gallon of water and pour that solution into a spray bottle.

NOTE: Borax is toxic if you consume it so keep it out of reach of children and pets. 

Bleach Solution

Think of bleach as a last resort since it is toxic.  Wear gloves when working with bleach and make sure your area is well ventilated.

Mix 1 part of bleach with 10 parts of water and pour the solution into a spray bottle.

Mold and Mildew Remover

Of course, you can purchase a mold and mildew remover, such as Tilex’s cleaner. Read the instructions on the bottle and use as instructed.

shower wall

How to Clean Mold From Shower Walls

Cleaning mold from your shower walls is not difficult.  It just takes a bit of time, some basic equipment, and a bit of elbow grease.

What you will need*

  • cleaning solution (see the options above)
  • spray bottle to hold your cleaning solution
  • scrub brush
  • cleaning cloth

*Note: If you use bleach, you will want to use a face mask and gloves to stay safe. Additionally, bleach can stain clothes, so be sure to wear old clothes.

What to do

  1. Select your cleaning solution from one of the options above
  2. Spray your cleaning solution directly onto the moldy area.  Let it sit for a while.
    1. A vinegar or borax solution should sit for 10-15 minutes
    2. Bleach should sit for at least 15 minutes
    3. A mildew remover should sit for around 30 minutes.
  3. Wipe away mold with a clean cloth, changing the cloth as needed.
  4. Scrub the mold away with a scrub brush to remove stubborn mold.
  5. Rinse away.
  6. Enjoy your sparkling, clean shower walls.

**Try and spray your area evenly.  You want to find a balance so that you spray enough that the area is visibly wet, but not so much that there is excess liquid to clean.

Preventing Future Mold

There are a few things that you can do to prevent mold from growing.

  1. After a shower, leave the door open and ventilation fan on for at least 20 minutes
  2. Shower with the door open, if possible, so condensation does not build up.
  3. Squeegee shower walls after use.

Mold on your shower walls can be disgusting to look at.  However, cleaning it off is not difficult.

The next time you see mold on your shower walls, do not fear!  Choose one of the cleaning solutions we outlined and get to work on easily cleaning it off.