The Best Caulking for Bathtubs

Stickiness

• Caulk must adhere to a fiberglass or porcelain tub and the ceramic tile around it. These are all nonporous surfaces, requiring a caulk specifically designed to stick to them while remaining waterproof. The stickiest caulk for bathroom use is silicone, but this is not the best choice if you have never worked with caulk before. Silicone is extremely sticky, dries quickly and is difficult to clean up. Siliconized latex has the stickiness of silicone, but check that the brand you buy is mildew and mold resistant.

Cleanup

• Cleanup after applying caulk is easier for some materials than others. All bathtub caulks must be waterproof, but until the caulk cures, some types can be cleaned up with water. Latex and acrylic caulks can be wiped away with a damp cloth until they dry. Silicone caulk requires a solvent for cleanup, and it must be applied quickly because silicone dries rapidly.

Color

• Siliconized latex caulk is available in different colors to match your decor when you're trying to match caulk to the bathtub color or tile grout. Acrylic caulk can be painted over once it is dry and has a hard finish. Silicone caulk goes on clear or white, remains flexible when dried and cannot be painted.

Ease of Use

• Before applying any caulk around your bathtub, fill the tub at least halfway with water to weigh it down so the caulk fills in the gap all around the tub. Silicone caulk dries so quickly that unless you have a deft hand at applying it, you can create a mess, and the next time you caulk your tub, you must use silicone again for the life of the tub. Acrylic or siliconized latex caulks apply easily because they take a long time to dry and they clean up with water; they are more forgiving of mistakes made during application. Check caulks of any material annually for cracks, mold or mildew, and replace the caulk if needed.