How to clean silicone sealant: The easy way

Build-up of black mould on your bathroom sealant? Not only is this unsightly, it can also be a danger to your health. Here’s how to get rid of it – and prevent it from coming back.

• Why is cleaning silicone sealant important?
• How to clean mould off silicone sealant
• RE-NEW your silicone sealant instead

Why is cleaning silicone sealant important?

Silicone sealant is a liquid adhesive that’s used to provide a protective, water-resistant seal where sinks, bathtubs, and showers meet a tiled or synthetic wall. Unfortunately, not even sealant is safe from the warm, humid conditions in bathrooms that create the perfect environment for mould to grow.

Left unchecked, mould will eventually destroy your bathroom silicone sealant and pose a danger to your health, which means you’ll have to remove and replace it – and that’s time-consuming and costly. Fortunately, cleaning silicone sealant is easier than you think with the right know-how.

How to clean mould off silicone sealant

There are several ways to clean silicone sealant in your bathroom. But which way is best?

Vinegar – or a combination of baking soda and vinegar – is touted as a safe, ‘all-natural’ cleaning solution for silicone sealant. However, both approaches risk damaging the sealant and exacerbating the problem. 

Instead, we recommend using specially-formulated bathroom mould removal products, which are available at most hardware stores. As always, check the manufacturer’s instructions and use as directed. Keep in mind that if your sealant is too far gone not even a specially-formulated product can lift the mould from your silicone sealant. You might need to remove and replace it.

RE-NEW your silicone sealant instead

Looking for another solution? Why not try Loctite’s RE-NEW!

Go from ‘ugh’ to ‘ahh’ in minutes by applying fresh sealant straight over the old with an auto-smooth nozzle that makes it easy to control the product flow for clean and seamless result. Not only is Loctite RE-NEW a breeze to use, it’s also mould-resistant – which will stengthen the seal and postpone any future cleanups!

Here’s how to use it:

1. Prepare. Before you start, make sure the surface you’re working with is clean, dry and free from dirt or other contaminants (if the old silicone is really mouldy, we suggest using an anti-mould spray before proceeding).
2. Position. Remove the cap and position the RE-NEW applicator at an angle so that the edges of the applicator have full contact with the joint.
3. Apply. Lightly squeeze and slowly move the bottle along the joint.
4. Keep it clean. Make sure you keep cleaning the excess product on the applicator nozzle during application to ensure a clean finish.
5. Repeat the process. To ensure a perfectly smooth result, run the applicator nozzle over the joint once more (without squeezing).
6. Correct. To fix any smudges, use a wet paper towel.
7. Made a mistake? Try again! You can remove Loctite’s RE-NEW immediately with a damp cloth and start over.
8. Wait. Make sure you allow at least 6 hours for RE-NEW to dry before using the shower or basin.