Mold and mildew are both simple plants that belong to a class known as fungi. They grow on cardboard, carpet, ceiling tiles, drywall, fabrics of all kinds, foods such as bread and fruit, insulation, kitchen and bathroom surfaces, organic materials of all kinds, wallpaper, and wood products of various sorts.
To put it bluntly, mold and mildew can grow on virtually any surface as long as moisture is present. What’s worse, the EPA has confirmed there is no practical method of eliminating all mold and mildew from inside your house or any other building.
Outside, mold and mildew are mostly harmless except for plants. In the house though, they produce allergens (a fancy word that means they can cause allergic reactions). That’s why we need cleaners for mold and mildew.
| Image | Product | |||
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Our Top Pick  | Our Top Pick | RMR-86 Instant Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remove
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| View on Amazon |
 | WD-40 Company X-14 Mildew Stain Remover
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| View on Amazon | |
 | FOLLOWIN Mold & Mildew Remover Gel
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| View on Amazon | |
 | EcoClean Solutions Mold, Mildew & Algae Remover
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| View on Amazon | |
 | EcoClean Solutions Lemocide
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| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
(updated as of 01/20/2020)
Our top choice is RMR-86 Instant Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover. It comes in an easy-to-use spray bottle and works on floors, walls, tubs, walls, and sinks. Spray it and let it do the work. Mold and mildew are gone within seconds.
Stubborn mold is gone from the shower walls and caulking without harming the surfaces. Once it has finished working, rinsing is all you need to do. Additionally, it doesn’t use harmful chemicals so it’s safe around people.
The effects are long-lasting in spite of how quickly it works. Use it once a month to prevent mold and mildew from returning.
What Are Shower Cleaners for Mold and Mildew?
Show cleaners or cleaners for mold and mildew are liquids that directly attack and destroy molds and mildew. They wash them away and leave the affected surface clean and temporarily uninhabitable by new molds and mildew.
How Do Shower Cleaners for Mold and Mildew Work?
The chemicals or ingredients in the cleaners attack mold and mildew directly, killing it through chemical action. Vinegar, often touted as a “non-chemical” cleaner is a chemical. Even natural cleaners using citrus juices are still chemicals.
H20, also known as water, is a chemical in the strictest sense of the word. Every cleaner that removes mold and mildew is a chemical, regardless of what it says on the label.
How Do You Find The Best Shower Cleaners for Mold and Mildew?
There are a number of things to look for to find the best mold cleaner. When you’re looking at them, remember that some trade-offs may be required.
Type
One bathroom cleaner might work in a matter of seconds, but use harsh chemicals to accomplish it. The faster a mold or mildew remover works, the more likely it is to contain chemicals. They also tend to dissipate faster too, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for extended protection.
Natural ingredients, such as essential oils, might not have chemicals in them but they won’t work as fast either. However, because they work slower, they will strongly adhere to many surfaces for longer protection.
Surface
Each cleaner will work on different surfaces, but virtually none of them will work on every surface. For instance, one might work on a shower curtain but not on stainless steel sinks. Others will work on wood but not fabrics. Where and on what surfaces you’re seeing mold and mildew will determine which cleaner you should get.
Quality
How long it will last? The higher the quality of the product, the longer it will last. Just remember, quality comes at a price. A low price doesn’t necessarily mean a product is bad, but it usually means it doesn’t have a lot of staying power. You may have to get out the sprayer more often than you’d like.
Check out the video below to learn more about killing shower mold.
Are Shower Cleaners for Mold and Mildew Effective?
This is another area to consider before opening your wallet. There are many bathroom cleaning agents and solutions on the market, but only a few of them are effective against mold and mildew.
The best of them should be concentrated so a little will go a long way. Furthermore, you should see positive results within the time frame the manufacturer claims. This is where reading consumer reviews will help immensely.
Finally, a good mold and mildew remover should be like a magic eraser, removing the stains without a lot of effort and scrubbing on your part. The most you should have to do is rinse the surface after the cleaner is finished, and maybe squeegee the water off.
How To Use A Shower Cleaner for Mold and Mildew
The EPA has tips on how to clean up the mold and each cleaner will have its own instructions but as a general rule, you simply apply the cleaner – with a sprayer or squeezing it out of a tube – then wait for whatever length of time is listed on the label.
Once that allotted time has passed, rinsing it off should be the most you have to do. In some instances, you won’t even have to do that much. The point is, you shouldn’t have to do any scrubbing when you’re using one of these cleaners.
Are Shower Cleaners for Mold and Mildew Safe Around My Pets And Children?
Many mold and mildew removers contain harsh or caustic chemicals such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide. If you come into contact with these chemicals it may cause you some headaches, irritability, itchiness, nausea, and reddening of the skin.
Some of the odors and fumes can be quite harsh. It is recommended that you wear a respirator when you’re cleaning mold with these cleaners. Rubber or latex gloves are also recommended.
In any event, it is always best to keep pets and children away from the treated area until after the cleaner has dried and you’ve had a chance to rinse it off. After that, it will be safe for them.
Best Shower Cleaners for Mold and Mildew Reviewed
- Ready to use formula
- Trigger grip handle
- No harsh odors
This cleaner is about as easy to use as it comes. Use the spray bottle to spray it on the floors, walls, tubs, walls, and sinks, then stand back and watch it work. The mold stain will be gone in less than 30 seconds.
For all its strength, it won’t hard the surface or dull them. It doesn’t produce harsh chemical odors either, so it’s very safe for people and for the environment.
Despite working quickly, the effects last for a long time after you use it, preventing mold and mildew from returning. Use it on a monthly basis and you can stop worrying about mold and mildew.
Pros
Cons
- No mixing required
- Safe for deck furniture fabric
- Gallon jug lasts a long time
This mold and mildew remover works just by spraying on the affected surface. Don’t scrub it or try to help, just let it sit there until it dries. It may take a couple of applications, putting it in the “slow and steady” category.
This can be safely used on wooden decks and deck furniture without damaging the fabric or removing the color from anything. Spray it on, wait five minutes then hose it off. Again, it may take a couple of applications.
Consumers have stated that it smells like Clorox, so make sure the room you’re using it in is well-ventilated.
Pros
Cons
- Gel clings to surfaces
- Easy application
- Safe to use on a wide range of surfaces
This is a concentrated gel formula. It clings to wood, concrete, drywall, tile, fiberglass, grout, and other surfaces. It can be used in sinks, bathtubs, toilets, stainless steel sinks, and more.
Dry the contaminated area, squeeze the gel evenly onto it, then leave the area for 3-10 hours. It crushes and suffocates the mold as it dries. It eliminates existing mold and mildew as well as preventing re-growth.
There’s no scrubbing required, just let it work on its own. It also eliminates musty odors associated with mold and mildew.
Pros
Cons
- Ready to use
- Removes mold and mildew in minutes
- Works on a wide range of surfaces
This cleaning solution safely eliminates algae, mildew, and mold from AC Units, bathtubs, brick surfaces, concrete driveways, kitchen and bath tiles, shower walls, stainless steel sinks, toilet bowls, and wood decks.
There is no need for scrubbing either. You’ll start seeing results in a matter of minutes as it does all the work. Spray it on and wait. Once the area is dry, rinse it with water and you’re done.
There is a heavy chlorine smell when you’re using this product. Make sure the room is well ventilated before you start using it, and wear a respirator. Eye protection would be an excellent idea as well.
Pros
Cons
- Commercial-grade cleaner
- Disinfects as it cleans
- Works on many surfaces
This is a commercial-grade disinfectant for cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens, metal, steel, porcelain, floors, and walls. This powerful mold killer works homes, businesses, hospitals, nursing homes, office buildings, and factories.
It has a fresh lemon scent good for hospitals and other institutions. It is a mold remover that effectively deodorizes surfaces as it works. It gets rid of mold stains, soap scum, hard water stains, and other grime on shower doors, show tiles, and walls.
It is an effective grout cleaner and mildew remover as well. This is one of the better cleaning products available.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: RMR-86 Instant Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover
- Ready to use formula
- Trigger grip handle
- No harsh odors
This is the easiest cleaner to use and the one that works the fastest. Spray it on the mold and mildew; the mold stain will be gone in less than 30 seconds. It really is that simple.
In a remarkable exception to the rule, the effects are long-lasting. It continues to prevent mold and mildew from returning for quite some time.
Final Thoughts On Shower Cleaners for Mold and Mildew
If you can see mold and mildew in your bathroom, the EPA says there’s no need for testing or sampling. There aren’t any federal standards so get out the cleaner and get to work.
Even the slowest mold and mildew cleaners will have finished their job long before any testing could be done at the lab, so why wait? Grab your cleaning supplies and get rid of that mold and mildew!
Other Guides
Curious about other products? Check out our other detailed guides to help you.