There’s nothing like a brand new bathroom remodel. Newly installed bathroom tile and grout along with a perfectly laid bead of caulk around the shower make the bathroom look perfectly clean and hygenic.
However, that brand-new bathroom will eventually show signs of wear and tear and the pristine white or clear caulk might accumulate mold or mildew that thrive in damp places. While you can sometimes remove mold and mildew with cleaners and elbow grease, oftentimes you’ll need to remove the old caulk and replace it.
One of the best ways to prevent this problem is to use a shower caulk specifically designed to prevent mildew and mold from forming.
We like this shower caulk from Sashco because it’s been cured to prevent mold and mildew but we’ve also reviewed some other good mildew-free caulks below.
The accumulation of mold and mildew causes discoloration and can cause damage to bathroom accessories and surfaces. For this reason, we use shower caulk. Apart from the nasty look and damage, it can do to your bathroom, mold can be a serious home health hazard.
Although we chose Sashco as the best shower caulk to prevent mildew, there are several other top brands that produce mold/mildew-resistant caulking. We’ve highlighted those below including some white options and others that are clear – depending on what part of the bathroom you’re caulking (clear for around shower glass).
See all of our other recommendations below:
Best Shower Caulk to Prevent Mold and Mildew
Sashco Clear Lexel Adhesive Caulk (13010 Sashco Sealant)
Its anti-mildew properties prevent mold and mildew from accumulating on the surface of the caulk. Another great advantage of this shower caulk is that it can be applied to moist or wet surfaces. Totally transparent, so you get a nice, clear joint without yellowing or clouding over time.
Pros
- Instant-setting
- Can be used on wet surfaces
- Transparent
- Extremely elastic
- Does not turn yellow in time
Cons
- Needs a dehumidifier and fan for better results
- Sometimes does not adhere to as expected.
Gorilla Clear Mold & Mildew Resistant Sealant Caulk
This silicone sealant is made by the well-known “Gorilla” brand, a maker of a wide variety of adhesives.
Gorilla Clear Mold & Mildew Resistant Sealant Caulk is a 100% silicone sealant that dries translucent clear is waterproof, making it a good choice for bathrooms or outdoor applications.
The product is quick to dry and claims to be ready for water contact in just 30 mins. It comes in a standard plastic tube designed for sealing with a caulking gun. You just need to cut the tip to the desired thickness that you want the bead to be. There have been some complaints from buyers that the plastic is poor quality although it is the same kind of plastic caulking tube you find with most on the market that are meant to be used with a caulking gun and the complaint seem to be isolated.
Gorilla also makes several other caulk variations in this product line, including white, paintable and some more heavy-duty caulk for construction.
Pros
- 100% Silicone
- Indoor/Outdoor
- Doesn’t yellow, shrink or crack
Cons:
- The strong chemical smell when first opened and while drying.
- The plastic container is cheap and poorly made.
- Will not adhere to polyethylene surfaces.
Loctite Polyseamseal Tub and Tile Adhesive Caulk (1515861)
This shower caulk adheres well to ceramic, porcelain, fiberglass, enamel, aluminum, stainless steel, wood, various plastics, and wallboard. The mildew prevention properties of this shower caulk are attributed to the ‘mildewcide’ content contained in it. It is flexible and durable and is one of the longer-lasting shower caulks available.
Pros
- General-purpose sealant
- All-American product
- Good anti-mold, anti-mildew properties
- Flexible and durable
Cons
-
- Not instant-setting
- Shrinks which can cause cracks
GE Silicone Clear Kitchen & Bath Silicone Caulk (GE284)
This shower caulk is guaranteed to keep the area free of mold or mildew for up to 5 years. The product can be used on almost all surfaces, including ceramic, laminate, glass, metal, plastic, granite, and wood.
GE Silicone Kitchen and Bath Caulk meet the requirements of most Federal Standards requirements. It is 100% waterproof, highly flexible, and less susceptible to shrinking, cracking or crumbling. The high silicone content makes it extremely heat-resistant and equally resistant to the UV rays emitted by direct sunlight. The product is 100% US manufactured.
Pros
- Fits well with most caulking guns
- Meets Federal requirements
- Highly flexible
- Excellent heat resistance
- 100% American
Cons
- Not entirely clear on setting
- Tubes sometimes burst
- The product has an expiry date
- Doesn’t always stop mold
Dap Dynaflex 230 Premium Indoor/Outdoor Sealant (18285 )
Easy to use, Dynaflex Outdoor/Indoor Sealant is good for providing a watertight and airtight seal that will not deteriorate over time.
The anti-mold and anti-mildew properties are particularly useful in damp and humid places like the bathroom and around your kitchen sink.
Although not transparent, the color of this sealant is white, so should blend with most colors. You may need to exercise discretion if you are going to use it on dark-colored surfaces. Since the contents are a bit hard to apply by manually squeezing the tube, you would probably do well to use a caulking gun if you need to use a considerable quantity at a time.
Pros
- White color matches most décor
- Paintable
- Good anti-mold and anti-mildew properties
- Durable product
- All-American
Cons
- White doesn’t suit some backgrounds
- Need to use a caulking gun
- Sometimes will not set as expected
How to caulk your shower properly to prevent mildew:
Caulking is not complicated. However, for best results and to prevent mildew, you should do the job properly and not use cheap off-the-shelf caulk. To do a thorough job, here are a few useful tips:
Video: The best way to caulk your bathtub or tile shower stall:
This short video gives some practical tips on the best way to properly caulk your shower to prevent water damage and the accumulation of mildew or mold.
What to Look for when buying caulk:
- Use a good product: If you aren’t able to get a reputed brand locally, it is better to buy it online.
- Ensure Flexibility: Once it’s set, a good shower caulk should be flexible and rubbery.
- Color Factor: It is good to use a transparent or white caulk that doesn’t discolor over time.
- Adhesive properties: Good shower caulk should stick well to surfaces.
- Mildew Resistant: Your shower caulk should be mildew and mold resistant.
- Paintable, if required: If you plan to paint the surface after applying caulk you should ensure that the product has “paintable” mentioned on its packaging.
The Final Verdict
After a great deal of research, we chose the Sashco 13010 10.5oz Sashco Sealants Clear Lexel Adhesive Caulk as the best shower caulk to prevent mildew. In line with what we discussed previously, this shower caulk is extremely elastic after setting. It also sets instantly and a unique feature is that it can even be applied to a moist or wet surface. This caulk is transparent, so you don’t have to bother about the color of the surfaces to which you are going to apply it.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this article. Please do leave your valuable feedback, comments, and questions if any and we will be glad to respond.
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