The gleaming tile. The shiny new fixtures. The spotless shower. When you spend good money redecorating a bathroom, you can get a little obsessive about keeping it clean. I know because I’ve been there. We did a partial remodel in our bathroom by putting in new tile in the shower and new porcelain over the old bathtub. I’m bound and determined to make sure that mold and mildew don’t take residence in there!
Not only is mold ugly and embarrassing, it can be a health hazard, causing asthma attacks, nasal congestion and headaches. So how do you keep mold and mildew at bay? The best place to start is prevention – try to keep mold from growing in your shower in the first place. But if mold does show up, attack it immediately using the treatment tips below.
Here are a few of my favorite non-toxic mold cleaning remedies and maintenance tips – using only natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda.

For prevention:
Make sure the shower area is well-ventilated – turn on the fan and open the windows and doors!
Use a squeegee to take excess water off of the shower walls.
Wipe down problem areas like corners and ledges with a dry cloth. Mold needs a wet environment to grow so keep things dry!
Shake out shower curtain after each shower. Wash or replace shower curtain frequently.
Make your own shower cleaning spray using vinegar and the essential oils to prevent mold (see DIY recipe below)
For treatment:

Spray mold with straight vinegar to kill spores.
Mix up a paste of baking soda or borax (a naturally occurring mineral) and scrub with a toothbrush. Use caution if you use borax – it can be harmful if ingested.
To bleach mold and mildew stains, mix 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide with 1/2 cup water in a spray bottle. Spray stains with solution, scrub it in a bit and then leave to dry.
Once mold has taken hold in your shower, it may not be possible to scrub it away. Replacing mold stained caulk or grout may be your only option in some cases.

Homemade Shower Cleaning Spray
2 cups water
1/2 cup vinegar
1 big squirt (approx 2 tablespoons) liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s) or eco-friendly dishwashing detergent
20 drops of antiseptic essential oil like tea tree or grapefruit seed oil
Mix all ingredients together in a spray bottle. Spray liberally over entire shower area.

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