How to Take Caulk out of a Shower Floor

At some point in time, you may feel the need to remove and replace the caulk in your shower. The moisture inside the shower makes an ideal environment for mildew and other molds, which can break down and discolor your bathroom caulk. The caulk on the shower floor is often what needs to be replaced first, as water will pool and immerse the caulk even after you turn off the shower.

Rags or towels
Rubbing alcohol
Utility or razor knife
Needle-nose pliers
Painter's 5-in-1 scraping tool
Sponge (optional)
Mildew remover

Instructions

- 1
  Saturate some old rags or towels with water. Place the damp rags on top of the areas of caulk you wish to remove. Let the damp rags soak the caulk for 48 hours, which should soften the caulk and make it easier to remove.
- 2
  Remove the wet rags and see if the caulk has softened. If it hasn't, dampen some rags with rubbing alcohol, then soak the caulk with the rags for 24 hours.
- 3
  Lift the rags off the caulk. Wipe the caulk dry with a clean rag.
- 4
  Slide the tip of a razor knife or a utility knife between the caulk and the floor. Gently wiggle the blade further down into the caulk and try to lift the edge of it out from the tile.
- 5
  Grasp the end of the caulk with a pair of needle-nose pliers. Gently pull the caulk out from the joints. Repeat this step for each section of caulk you wish to remove.
- 6
  Scrape out the caulk debris from the joints with the pointed edge of a painter's 5-in-1 scraping tool. Wipe out the joint with a rag or sponge.
- 7
  Spray a mildew remover into the joints to kill any bacteria before you recaulk the joints. Allow the mildew remover to soak the joint for the time indicated on the instructions. Wipe out the joints before applying new caulk.

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