How do I clean caulk and make it look new again?

Rose Jarvis
by Rose Jarvis
It looks gray and/or yellow in places in the bathroom.
  8 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Feb 29, 2016
    There are ground pencil cleaners available at Home Depot usually down the cleaning isle or ,make a paste mixture of 50/50/white vinegar and baking soda and scrub with a toothbrush.
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Feb 29, 2016
    after you've scrubbed it and it's dry it can be painted if the scrubbing doesn't work well enough.
  • Jan Loehr Jan Loehr on Feb 29, 2016
    I have read on a blog that I follow that True Value Hardware Tile Guard Tile Grout Coating makes grout look new again. It is in a blue bottle with applicator...
  • use a blade, cut it out and reapply a new caulking. once it's old and dingy, it won't come back. caulk is cheap
  • Eloise Eloise on Mar 01, 2016
    On the horizontal surfaces of our bathtub and shower stall, I use Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach in the blue bottle. (This one: http://www.amazon.com/Clorox-Toilet-Cleaner-Bleach-Bottle/dp/B007MGN18I/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1456838946&sr=1-1&keywords=clorox+toilet+bowl+cleaner.) I cut paper towels into strips, squeeze the cleaner around the tub/shower, press the folded strips into the cleaner and cover with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out. Leave it for as long as you can, then scrub with a firm toothbrush and rinse. It should be greatly improved.
  • Ree Ree on Mar 01, 2016
    any of the above! Thanks re: Tile Guard - I'd forgotten about that great product!
  • As Beth pointed out above- caulking needs to be renewed and redone in a bathroom every few years depending upon the use and moisture, Do not use toilet bowl cleaner anywhere near sinks or tubs because it literally will eat the enamel and finish right off the tub! You can try bathroom cleaner with bleach or use bleach to see if it will whiten it. Be careful if you scrub with a toothbrush or other bristle because if the caulking is silicone or soft the toothbrush will tear up the caulking bead. If it has been more than 3 years since you caulked the bathroom, I would consider this the best way to freshen up your bathroom
    • @The Garden Frog with C Renee Thank you! People, I'm sure she has tried to clean it. Caulk has to be replaced. It's a cheap and easy fix. Honestly, it costs more to buy these cleaners and spending the time to try and clean it (which it won't) then to buy a tube of tub caulk and redo it!! Presto! Blinding white and clean! Just re-caulk!
  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Mar 02, 2016
    I agree, replace it, I just did mine and it looks great it was easy too. I worried for nothing. If you look on you tube you just might find a demonstration. Sometimes I have an easier time if I see it done.