A cleaning enthusiast has shared a simple method for removing black mould from silicone sealants using white vinegar, which costs as little as 45p from Sainsbury's. The trick requires no scrubbing and no cleaning products, and photos shared by the user showed every trace of mould completely vanished from the sealant.
The vinegar hack that went viral
Sandra Gibson posted on the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips and Tricks Facebook page that she had struggled with black spot marks on her sealant. She explained that she saw a post suggesting placing vinegar on the affected area and covering it with a cotton pad, or kitchen roll, and leaving it overnight.
Gibson wrote: "I am by no means Mrs Hinch, but I do like a nice clean bathroom and have struggled with black spot marks on my sealant."
"We saw a post where you place some vinegar on the affected area and place a cotton pad (can use kitchen roll too) over the top and leave."
"After forever trying different cleaning chemicals, I didn't have a great deal of hope, but I thought it was worth a try."
"Omg, thank you to the person who posted this hack! No scrubbing and no cleaning, just pick up the cotton pads the next morning and wipe them down. I'm in cleaning heaven. I hope this helps someone else."
Results and reactions
Gibson shared photos of three patches of black mould on the silicone sealant around her bath and shower, along with three more images showing the same spots during and after cleaning. In the pictures revealing her results, every trace of mould had completely disappeared.
The cleaning post attracted over 300 comments from fellow group members. Claire Lucas said: "I did the exact same, and wow, it really does work. No more black spots."
Brown Lottie wrote: "Yeah, this works well. I use a kitchen roll as it covers a bigger area. Another good one is to use the Astonish Mould and Mildew spray. You spray and leave, it does the same, and the mould is also all gone overnight."
Francis Oliver advised: "Just spray the area with vinegar once a week. It works fast and will keep mould away."
Black mould on silicone sealants is triggered by excess moisture, poor ventilation, product build-up from soap, shower gel and shampoo, and the high temperatures typically found in bathrooms and kitchens. Left unchecked, it can produce unpleasant odours, cause damage to fixtures, and spread to walls, ceilings and floors.
Many households will already have a bottle of vinegar in their kitchen cupboards, but for anyone who does not, it is available at supermarkets for very little money. Sainsbury's stocks a bottle for just 45p.
