Best Way to Remove Old Caulk

Old caulk can have a dingy appearance. Even the fanciest tile and tub fixtures will be dimmed by the dreary appearance of old mildewed caulk. The bathroom, kitchen and shower environments are prime places for mildew to make a home, considering the moisture and frequent water exposure in these places. Removing the old caulk is the first step in solving this problem.

Removing old caulk may begin by manually scraping out the bulk of the old caulk. Begin by selecting a tool, such as a razor blade or a cutting tool, that will not damage the the materials beneath the caulk and will be safe for you as well.

Protecting yourself as well as the plumbing and fixtures may be achieved by wearing work gloves and incorporating a bit of water as you work. The water will make a nice lubricant and may also help to decrease scratches to tile or plumbing fixtures.

Once you have removed the majority of the old caulk, you can try several commercial caulk removers or products you may already have at home. Some examples of household items you can use are isopropyl alcohol and water soaked rags. Isopropyl alcohol may be effective if the old caulk is a water based acrylic or made with polyvinyl acetate resin. Water saturated rags may soften non-acrylic and water based caulk if you allow it to soak for approximately three days.

Silicone caulks may be the most difficult to remove. Unfortunately, there are no quick fix removers for this type of product. The only real options are potentially harmful, as they may burn you, and damage the materials that surround the caulk. The simplest solution may be to mix a powdered cleanser with a bit of water to create a paste, apply with a cotton swab and allow to work.

Once you have removed the existing caulk, you may purchase new mildew-proof caulks. The products are widely available and often contain appropriate quantities of mildewcides---chemicals that are released from the caulk over time to kill the mildew spores. Products vary, however, many colors and varieties are available and offer lifetime guaranties. (See Resources.)