Prep first
Before you start
- Fix the water source first. A leak or damp grout will bring the mold straight back.
- Put on gloves, goggles without vents and an N-95 respirator before you touch the mold.
- Brush loose mold off outdoors if you can, so spores don't spread through the house.
Mold on tile sits in the grout lines and on the glaze wherever a shower or bathroom stays damp, and it spreads from spores on wet surfaces. Tile is hard, so fresh growth usually comes off with a scrub and a careful rinse once the moisture is dealt with. Grout is different, because on porous building materials mold can fill the crevices and may be impossible to remove completely, so an old, deep stain may need the grout replaced.
For mold on shower tiles, a soft brush and a mild cleaner do most of the work without scratching the glaze. A mold and mildew remover is the stronger option for bathroom tile mold, but test it on a hidden tile first. If the grout stays dark after two rounds, it may be time to call a pro.
Before you start
What tile can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care7
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat, once the stain is out
8 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Nylon or plastic scrub padScrubs the grout without scratching the glaze (opens Amazon)
- Mild dish soapMakes the warm water sudsy for the wash (opens Amazon)
- Household ammoniaA few drops in the warm water make the wash; never use it with bleach (opens Amazon)
- Stiff brushLifts loose mold before you wash (opens Amazon)
- Cloths or spongesWipe, then rinse, and switch to clean ones as they get dirty (opens Amazon)
- Gloves, goggles without vents and an N-95 respiratorKeeps spores off your skin, out of your eyes and out of your lungs (opens Amazon)
- Commercial mildew stain removerFor a stain that stays after the wash; follow the package directions (opens Amazon)
- Clean towelsDry the tile and grout so water doesn't sit in the joints
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Brush off the loose mold
Brush any loose mold off with a stiff brush, outside if you can, so the spores don't scatter through the house. Lay an old towel or bag down to catch the debris, and seal it before it goes back indoors.
Step 2 of 5
Scrub with ammonia suds
Mix warm water with a little mild dish soap and a few drops of ammonia. Dip a cloth or nylon pad in the mix and wipe the mold off the tile and grout, working in small sections so the solution doesn't dry on the surface.
Tip. Swap in fresh water when it turns cloudy so you aren't spreading mold around.
Step 3 of 5
Rinse and wipe dry
Rinse the tile and grout with clean water until no soap or ammonia smell is left. Wipe the surface dry with a clean towel so water doesn't sit in the grout lines.
Step 4 of 5
Dry the bathroom out fully
Run the exhaust fan or open a window, and let the tile, grout and caulk dry all the way. Keep the door open while it dries so the air keeps moving.
Step 5 of 5
Test a mildew remover for stubborn spots
If a stain is still visible once the surface is dry, test a commercial mildew stain remover on a small hidden spot first. If that spot looks fine, apply it to the stain and follow the package directions for rinsing.
Careful. Never leave the remover on longer than the package says.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for mold on tile
Choose a commercial mildew stain remover and test it on a hidden spot before using it on the stain.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
e-cloth General Purpose Cloth
MOLD ARMOR Rapid Clean Remediation
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on tile, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The tile is clean when the dark marks are gone and the grout color looks even, with no gray film left on the surface. If a shadow remains after the surface is fully dry, the mold has likely gone into the grout or caulk.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your tile
Shower tile
Shower walls stay wet longer than most bathroom surfaces, so mold tends to come back there even after a good clean. Run the exhaust fan during and after every shower, and wipe the walls dry with a towel or squeegee.
Check the grout lines and the corners where tile meets the tub first, since they hold moisture the longest. If the shower glass is also marked, the Showers & Glass Doors guide covers that surface. For grout that stays discolored after a full clean, the grout guide is the next step.
Glass tile
Glass tile is more sensitive to sudden temperature changes than glazed ceramic, and it can break. Keep the wash water and rinse water at about the same temperature.
Don't pour hot water straight onto cold glass tile, and let it warm up gradually if the room is cold. Otherwise, the same wash works on glass tile as on any other tile.
Bathroom floor tile
On bathroom floors, the grout around the toilet base and along the walls gets the most moisture and mold. Work those joints last so the cleaner doesn't spread into clean areas.
Use the same wash as the shower, but rinse extra well on floors, because residue reduces slip resistance. Don't use a no-rinse cleaner on floor tile at any stage.
Grout and caulk
Grout and caulk are porous, so mold can sink in past the surface where a quick wipe won't reach. Scrub them with a nylon pad, working along each line rather than across it.
If caulk stays dark after it dries, replacing it is usually easier than cleaning it again. The grout guide covers the grout side of the job.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
Old mold that has soaked into grout is harder to shift, and one wash may not remove it. Run the ammonia wash again on the spot before trying anything stronger.
Once the area is fully dry, a professional-strength tile and grout cleaner made for mildew buildup is the next step up. Use it exactly as its label says.
If the stain still shows, mold has likely stayed in the grout or caulk, which can be difficult or impossible to remove completely. In that case, replacing the grout or caulk is often the realistic fix.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on mold on tile?
You'll see plenty of home remedies for mold on tile. Each one fits differently, and some don't suit tile or this stain at all.
Works1Helps1Skip3Avoid1
Chemical safety
Never mix these
Some products in this guide react dangerously with each other. Use them one at a time and rinse with water in between.
Ammonia + Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
The ammonia maker's safety sheet says not to mix ammonia with other household chemicals, and Poison Control warns that mixing ammonia products is dangerous.
If they mix by accident: Don't use the mixture; ventilate the room and avoid breathing fumes or touching it; call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for disposal advice or if anyone feels unwell.
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't mix bleach with ammonia or vinegar
Chlorine bleach mixed with ammonia can produce toxic fumes, and it's just as risky with vinegar. Keep bleach in its own bottle and rinse the tile fully before you use any other cleaner.
Don't paint or caulk over mold
Paint applied over mold is likely to peel. Clean the surface and let it dry completely before you put paint or new caulk on it.
Don't use steel wool or strong abrasives on tile
Steel wool, scouring pads and sandpaper scratch glass tile, and strong abrasive cleaners scratch and dull the glaze on any tile. Stick to a nylon or plastic pad and a gentle cleaner.
Don't use cleaners with fluorine compounds
Fluorine compounds damage ceramic, glass and stone. Check the label before using any tile cleaner, and skip anything that contains them.
Don't leave the tile damp
Mold needs water or moisture to grow, and wet areas that dry within 24 to 48 hours usually won't grow mold. Leaving the shower damp after cleaning undoes the work.
When to call a professional
Call an experienced professional if the mold covers more than about 10 square feet, or if it came from sewage or contaminated water. Those jobs need more than a home wash, so don't try to handle them yourself.
Questions
Can I use bleach on mold in my shower?
You can, but this job doesn't need it, and bleach isn't recommended as a routine mold cleaner. The ammonia wash and full drying handle most tile mold without it.
Will mold permanently stain my tile?
It can. Mold can cause staining and cosmetic damage that can't always be reversed, especially in grout and other porous materials. Clean it as soon as you see it, because older mold is harder to remove.
Why does mold keep coming back on my shower tile?
Mold needs water or moisture to grow, and shower walls stay damp after every use. Fix any leak, run the exhaust fan, and dry the walls and grout after showering.
Can I use the same cloth on the whole shower?
It's better not to. Rinse your cloth often and switch to a clean one when it looks dirty, so you don't spread mold to clean areas.
What should I do with the brush and cloths afterward?
Seal used cloths in a bag before you carry them out, and wash them before reusing them. Rinse the brush well and let it dry in the open air.
Should I clean grout the same way as tile?
Use the same steps for grout, but expect a stain to hold on longer in its pores. For grout that stays discolored after a full clean, the grout guide covers the next options.
Mold on other materials
Other stains on tile
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.