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How to clean or replace shower silicone?

AnnieH1
Finding My Feet

How to clean or replace shower silicone?

I’m working on cleaning the grout of the floor tiles in this shower but I’m not sure what to do about the mouldy seal (silicone?) around the sides. I can pull it off but what do I use then & how should I clean it? Thanks

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MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: Base of shower silicone

Hi @AnnieH1,

 

The best approach here will be to cut out all of the mouldy silicone and start fresh. Use a sharp utility knife or silicone remover tool to carefully remove the old bead, making sure you clean behind it thoroughly so no mould is left trapped behind. Once the area is dry, re-apply a fresh bead of bathroom-grade silicone to reseal the joint. Here’s a step-by-step guide on How to clean and remove mouldy silicone and How to apply silicone sealant that you might find helpful. Remember to wear safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, trousers and footwear when working around shower glass, which can shatter easily if knocked, and sharp knives.

 

As for the grout, it looks heavily stained and deteriorated, and unfortunately, grout in that condition generally won’t clean back to bright white. A good interim fix is to use grout paint. It’s a product designed specifically for refreshing grout lines. You simply apply it over the existing grout, then wipe the excess off the surface of the tiles. I’ve used it myself with excellent results, and it really brightens up the look of the grout. Go for the squeeze bottle I've linked to as they work much more effectively than the pen options. The pens are really only good for small touch-ups. Just keep in mind it’s not permanent and may need to be redone every few years, but it’s an easy and effective way to give the shower a fresh appearance. 

 

Please let me know if you need further assistance.

 

Mitchell

 

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Re: Base of shower silicone

Thanks so much for the advice. I’ll get started on it this weekend. 😊

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