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How to Remove Silicone Caulk Residue

How to Remove Silicone Caulk Residue

Silicone caulk offers a waterproof barrier against moisture around bathtubs, showers, toilets and sinks, as well as for exterior trim and other outside projects. It’s (relatively) easy to apply with the right technique, cures fairly fast and will last a long time, which is why it’s so widely used. Caulk is also easy to get on your hands and work surfaces—and can be difficult to get off of both. If you need to remove silicone caulk residue, Tub O’ Towels has you covered. Our heavy duty wipes are designed to clean up all kinds of messes, including silicone caulk residue.

how to remove silicone residue

The Harder Way to Remove Silicone Caulk Residue

Finding recommendations online for how to clean up silicone caulk is easy, but then it’s time to choose the best method and start the hard work. Here are some steps you can try:

  1. Scrape off as much of the residue as possible with a razor blade or flat head screwdriver without scratching the surface you are cleaning.
  2. Apply mineral spirits or denatured alcohol. Use a scrub pad if possible, unless the surface is easily scratched, then use a sponge. Scrub vigorously.
  3. Before applying any solvent, test it on an inconspicuous part of the substrate.
  4. The solvents will soften the residue so that it will peel up easier, but won’t dissolve the silicone so you might need to brush away any bits of caulk.
  5. Repeat this process until all the caulk residue is removed.
  6. Clean the surface thoroughly.

To remove silicone caulk from your hands, one remedy suggests rubbing them with butter and baking soda. You can also try rubbing alcohol to loosen the caulk and then rubbing your hands together and rinsing your hands under water. There are also commercial-strength mechanic’s hand-cleaning solutions with strong chemicals to clean silicone caulk.

    The Easier Way to Remove Silicone Caulk Residue

    If you don’t want to invest the time or the scrubbing involved with the methods listed above, or use harsh chemicals, Tub O’ Towels heavy duty wipes contain a special Bond Buster™ technology to loosen caulk residue and allow you to wipe it away with minimal elbow grease:

    1. Pull out a heavy duty Tub O’ Towels wipe.
    2. Test wipe an unnoticeable area on the material you’ll be cleaning.
    3. Wipe over the caulk residue, allowing the cleaning solution to soak in and loosen it.
    4. Use a scraper if needed to scrape away the excess residue.
    5. Use an additional wipe if needed until the residue is gone.

    If you’re trying to remove caulk from your hands, our heavy duty wipes contain ingredients such as aloe, vitamin E and lanolin to soften and hydrate your skin. Wipe the caulk residue off your skin, allowing the cleaning solution to gently lift away the residue.

    About Tub O’ Towels

    Tub O’ Towels really do work when it comes to removing silicone caulk residue and cleaning up many other messes. Here are four keys that set Tub O’ Towels apart:

    • Exclusive Bond Buster™ Technology: All Tub O’ Towels wipes have the revolutionary Bond Buster additive that dissolves the molecular bond between caulk residue and surfaces, leaving heavy scrubbing for other cleaning remedies.
    • Gentle Cleaning Agents: Our biodegradable mixture of gentle foaming agents, emulsifiers and detergents simply lifts away even stubborn paint stains, without skin-drying, harsh chemicals.
    • Carry Off Caulk: Our wipes are made to stand up to tough messes and stuck on residue. Each oversized wipe is made from a textured, quilted, poly-blend material that won’t fall apart and is evenly soaked in our proprietary cleaning solution.
    • VaporLock Technology: Canisters are sealed with VaporLock technology to prevent evaporation when wipes are being stored so they’ll be ready to work for you.

    Ready for a Better Cleaning Wipe?

    It’s time to say goodbye to heavy scrubbing and chemicals when you’re trying to remove silicone caulk residue, so try Tub O’ Towels Heavy Duty Cleaning Wipes today. We look forward to showing you why our wipes are the best of all!

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    We’re confident that you’ll love Tub O’ Towels for all of your tough cleaning needs. If you aren’t satisfied with the remarkable cleaning ability of Tub O’ Towels, we will refund your purchase price.