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A clean serene bathroom can be a great refuge. But a dingy, mold laden bathroom does nothing to serve you. Moldy caulking around the tub is especially gross. I have to admit that my bathroom doesn't get the amount of attention that other parts of the house get. Especially that tub. No one sees it besides my husband and I and my puppies during their bi-monthly bath. I know that's no excuse, it's just that it is likely my least favorite household chore.
Another reason why cleaning the bathroom has been such a wrenching task in the past was the moldy caulking would not come clean. It does not matter how much elbow grease that I put into it. There seemed to be no hope. But black mold is just not good for your respiratory system and furthermore it scares the crap out of me. In fact, according to the EPA, potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints. So with that, it was me against the mold (or my husband for that matter whom I soon convinced to replace the caulking with a greener variety).
How to Choose Green Caulk
Conventional caulks are cheap to produce and contain toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene and hexane. Choose a greener product like AFMSafeCoat, a company that produces a caulking compound which is water-resistant, flexible sealant. It can be safely used in sinks, showers, around pipes, and between walls and woodwork. You can purchase it from the Environmental Home Center for $6.50 per tube.
How to Replace Caulking Around the Tub
- Place a rag around the drain to prevent debris from clogging it.
- Remove the caulk with a putty knife. Do not just replace the caulk that's moldy, replace it all. Use the putty knife to forcefully chip away at the caulking all the way around the tub.
- Use a caulking gun to evenly distribute caulk all the way around the tub. A caulking gun is the easiest tool to use if you want a professional looking end product.
- Clean up any excess with a paper towel.
More on Bathrooms:
How to Go Green: Bathroom Renovation
Top Green Bathroom Renovation Tips
How to Go Green: In the Bathroom
Got a tip or a post idea for us to write about on Planet Green? Email pgtips (at) treehugger (dot) com.
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