Maintaining your home is a crucial task for any homeowner. One common maintenance practice is caulking, which helps to keep moisture in check and prevent mold and mildew issues. However, if you start to notice mold growing on your caulk, it's a sign that water has seeped in and the sealant is no longer effective. In such cases, it's essential to remove the old caulk and recaulk to avoid more significant problems in the future. A new product has recently hit the market, claiming to have a revolutionary formula that prevents mold growth on caulk, offering a potential solution to this common issue.
Sashco's CleanSeal Elastomeric Acrylic Latex Kitchen and Bath Caulk is formulated with active enzymes that are designed to stop mold growth before it can take off. The company states that it is highly flexible, so instead of cracking after repeated bouts of pressure it will simply bend and move. The active enzymes apparently allow easy-to-use water cleanup and make scrubbing the surface unnecessary. While these accolades sound like a dream come true, the product seems to have mixed reviews from customers.
What customers say
If you're hoping to achieve a mold-free space, CleanSeal sounds like the perfect caulk for any job, whether that's in the kitchen or the bathroom, and many users sing its praises. One 5-star review on Ace Hardware's website says, "So far so good! It doesn't have a strong stinky smell either. I recommend!" Another satisfied customer loves the easy application. "It's exactly perfect and totally beats silicone for bathtub applications," they wrote. "Goes on like butter." While there are satisfied customers who have tried CleanSeal and love it, other customers have a different story to tell.
Numerous customers have expressed disappointment with CleanSeal, citing issues with the application and drying of the caulk. One dissatisfied reviewer gave the product a 1-star rating and shared, "Let it cure for three days. After the first shower it was bubbling up on the edges and if you touch it, it smears all over." Another buyer mentioned, "I had very high hopes for this caulk but the problems made themselves known right away. We gave it over 2 days to dry. It felt dry to touch but within a few showers it began 'washing away,' it was more wet and goopy than when I applied it — so perplexing!" This same customer also reported cracking in more than half of the areas where the caulk was applied.
What to use instead
Considering the mixed reviews and performance of CleanSeal, as well as its price point, it may be wise to explore alternative caulk options. One suggestion is to try GE Advanced Silicone Kitchen & Bath Sealant, which costs $9.80 at Walmart and boasts a 4.8-star rating with over 120 reviews. This sealant offers flexibility, durability, and a 10-year guarantee against mold and cracking. For a professional caulking job, remember to warm the caulk tube with water before application.
Investing a bit more in a mold-resistant caulk from a reputable brand could be a worthwhile decision, ensuring long-lasting and effective sealing in your kitchen or bathroom.
