The Best Silicone Caulk For Your Shower – Review of products

Sometimes it’s the little things that make the big difference. When your shower has been freshly caulked, it’ll instantly look cleaner, brighter and more inviting. It’ll also be much more hygienic and easier to clean.

If you don’t use the best silicone caulk for your shower, or replace it when necessary, your shower could become home to a whole host of unwelcome, potentially health-damaging bacteria. It will also look dirty and off-putting, no matter how hard you clean it, and who wants to spend unnecessary hours cleaning?

The sealant that no longer effectively seals could cause leaks leading to water damage and damp that could be very costly to put right.

Replacing your shower sealant yourself is simple and inexpensive. So don’t hesitate any longer, read through our helpful silicone buyers’ guide and product reviews, find out how to put your shower right and purchase the best silicone caulk for your shower. It could save you thousands of dollars and hours of unnecessary work.


Best Silicone Caulk Product Reviews

We’ve reviewed a variety of silicone caulks and have picked out two of the best silicone caulks for your shower. We’ve also recommended a handy silicone sealant cleaner, in case your silicone is still in great shape, but just needs smartening up a little, or if you just want to make do while you’re waiting on changing out your bathroom.

Preview
Best Pick
Momentive Performance Materials GE Silicone GE284 Clear...
GE GE281 Silicone II Kitchen and Bath Sealant, 2.8 oz...
Sealant Pen White Caulk Marker: Waterproof Silicone...
Product Name
Momentive Performance Materials GE Silicone GE284 Clear...
GE GE281 Silicone II Kitchen and Bath Sealant, 2.8 oz...
Sealant Pen White Caulk Marker: Waterproof Silicone...
Uses
showers, tubs, sinks, tile, countertops and fixtures
ceramic tiles, plastic, porcelain, glass, granite, wood, showers, sinks, kitchen counters and tubs
Anti-bacterial agents help prevent the stains returning
Water Resistant
Best Pick
Preview
Momentive Performance Materials GE Silicone GE284 Clear...
Product Name
Momentive Performance Materials GE Silicone GE284 Clear...
Uses
showers, tubs, sinks, tile, countertops and fixtures
Water Resistant
Preview
GE GE281 Silicone II Kitchen and Bath Sealant, 2.8 oz...
Product Name
GE GE281 Silicone II Kitchen and Bath Sealant, 2.8 oz...
Uses
ceramic tiles, plastic, porcelain, glass, granite, wood, showers, sinks, kitchen counters and tubs
Water Resistant
Preview
Sealant Pen White Caulk Marker: Waterproof Silicone...
Product Name
Sealant Pen White Caulk Marker: Waterproof Silicone...
Uses
Anti-bacterial agents help prevent the stains returning
Water Resistant

Momentive Performance Materials GE Silicone GE284 Clear...
  • 3-hour shower-ready
  • 5-year mold-free product protection
  • Typical uses: showers, tubs, sinks, tile, countertops and fixtures Adheres...

GE GE284 Clear Kitchen & Bath Silicone Caulk

Shower-ready in just three hours, this set of two silicone tubes is ideal if you’re looking to quickly and easily replace your shower silicone caulk. The handy-sized tubes do not require a caulking gun, making them a great choice if you’re inexperienced. This caulk dries to a transparent finish, so if you’re looking for a barely noticeable sealant that won’t detract from your bathroom decor, then this would make an excellent choice. It is also highly recommended for darker colored showers where a white line of sealant can look unsightly and detract from the overall effect. Another great use is to seal off glass shower screens, for a modern, clean-cut finish.

This silicone caulk is suitable for use on a wide range of materials, including ceramic, glass, metal, natural stone, plastic, and wood. If you’re looking for a sealant to use with marble in your shower, then this product works well as it seals effectively, without staining. As it is 100% silicone, it won’t shrink or crack, unlike other sealants. Shower-ready in just three hours, this quick-drying formula also features five-year mold-free protection, so you won’t have to worry about changing it out any time soon. It also makes for a more healthier, cleaner shower that will look like new for longer. In fact, this product also features a lifetime guarantee and meets a wide range of federal specifications, so you can be sure that it’s of the best quality and safe to use.

Although this silicone caulk is an excellent choice, if you have a more old-fashioned style bathroom in paler tones, or if there are some areas that aren’t finished off too smoothly, you may prefer to use a white colored silicone which will provide a more attractive finish in this case. Also, while this truly is an excellent product, it does smell quite strongly. If this is a deal-breaker for you, then check out our next recommendation for sealing your shower that has a low-odor but an equally great performance.

Pros & Cons of GE GE284 Silicon Caulk

The Best Silicone Caulk For Your Shower – Review of products 2

Pros

Pros
  • Set of two handy sized tubes of 100% transparent silicone caulk.
  • No caulking gun required.
  • Three-hour drying time with five-year mold-free protection.
  • Waterproof, shrink-proof and crack-proof, complete with a lifetime guarantee.

The Best Silicone Caulk For Your Shower – Review of products 3

Cons

Cons
  • Strong odor.


GE GE281 Silicone II Kitchen and Bath Sealant, 2.8 oz...
  • Momentive #GE281 2.8OZ White K&B Sealant
  • MOMENTIVE PERFORM MATERIAL
  • Model Number:HENKEL - GE281 - 1/PACK

GE GE281 Silicone II Kitchen and Bath Sealant

This handy sized tube of 100% silicon caulk(2.8oz) does not require a caulking gun for use, making it simple and easy to get a straight line, even if you’re inexperienced. Whether you want to re-caulk your whole shower or just fill in a few gaps, this easy-to-use silicon caulk is low-odor and fast drying, shower-ready in just three hours.

For use with almost all materials, including ceramic tiles, plastic, porcelain, glass, granite and wood, this sealant is a great choice for showers, sinks, kitchen counters and tubs. It dries white and is non-paintable, so if you are looking for a sealant you can paint to match your color scheme, then this is not the right choice for you. There are also transparent silicones available that could be better suited to your needs, however, if you have a white shower base a white silicone caulk will definitely look the part.

Waterproof, flexible and crack-proof, this silicone sealant is easy-to-apply, so if you’re worried about which silicone to choose for your first time caulking, it makes a great choice. As a quality product, it also comes with a lifetime guarantee. Best of all, this five-year mold-free silicone will keep your shower looking great and hygienically clean, so you won’t have to worry about any unsightly, potentially health-troubling black spots for the foreseeable future.

With excellent adhesion and a smooth, caulking-gun free application alongside a lifetime guarantee, this silicone sealant is the one to choose for a hassle-free shower application. Just be sure that the silicone is at room temperature before use, to make it easier to squeeze, otherwise you may find the tube is a little hard to press on. This product meets federal specifications: ASTM C920, TT-S-001543a and TT-S-00230.

Pros & Cons of GE GE281 Silicon II Kitchen and Bath Sealant

The Best Silicone Caulk For Your Shower – Review of products 2

Pros

Pros
  • 100% silicon – waterproof, crack-proof and shrink-proof.
  • Small tube does not require a caulking gun.
  • 5-year mold-free protection.
  • Shower-ready in three hours.
  • Low odor.

The Best Silicone Caulk For Your Shower – Review of products 3

Cons

Cons
  • Tube can be difficult to squeeze.
  • Non-paintable.


Sealant Pen White Caulk Marker: Waterproof Silicone...
  • LOOK NEW AGAIN - Whitens and cleans your silicone sealants fast without...
  • LESS HASSLE - This cleaning pen is valve activated to control flow with a...
  • WATER RESISTANT - A silicone sealant cleaner pen that will last long in...

Sealant Pen – Silicone Caulk Whitener

This sealant pen is perfect if you’re looking for a simple and easy way to whiten silicone in your shower, without the need for labor-intensive scrubbing. Not only does it make the silicone between your shower tiles whiter, it also prevents mold regrowth thanks to its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial formula.

This sealant pen is also non-toxic, being water-based it is suitable for use in even small bathrooms and other enclosed spaces, making it ideal for use if you are sensitive to certain cleaning chemicals and want to protect your health and that of your family. It is also a good choice if you want to quickly touch-up areas where your silicone may be starting to look a little discolored.

While this sealant pen is easy to use, it may require several coats to remove all traces of discoloration. However, thanks to its reversible nib design, enabling you to replace a worn-down nib by turning it around, this sealant cleaner pen beats most other models when it comes to product longevity. You can also use it in your kitchen and in any other places where you may have discolored silicone caulk. A handy product that is useful to have around the house.

Pros & Cons of Sealant Pen – Silicone Caulk Whitener

The Best Silicone Caulk For Your Shower – Review of products 2

Pros

Pros
  • Inexpensive, hassle-free way to brighten up your shower sealant.
  • Reversible tip for a longer product lifespan.
  • Antibacterial and anti-fungal.
  • Non-toxic, water-based formula

The Best Silicone Caulk For Your Shower – Review of products 3

Cons

Cons
  • Needs to be repeated several times for best results.


All you need to know about silicone caulk for your shower

What is silicone caulk?

Silicone caulk is an sealant used to seal the gaps between two materials. It is waterproof, adhesive and flexible, making it ideal for use in your bathroom and kitchen. Silicone doesn’t shrink so it won’t develop gaps over time preventing damp and water damage. Try to read our review on best water saving shower heads too.

How do you apply silicone caulk?

Before you apply your silicone caulk, you need to ensure that the surfaces to which you’ll be applying it are clean and dry. Ideally, you could use a silicone primer to ensure maximum adhesion, although this is not essential.

Before you start to apply the caulk to your shower, it helps to test it out first on a piece of cardboard or other unimportant pieces of material. Set up your caulking gun, or you may be using a handheld tube, and cut the nozzle at a 45-degree angle. You only want a small opening to ensure a steady, even flow. If you don’t cut enough off, you can always cut off more, but once it’s cut, it’s cut, so be careful not to take off too much in one go. Test your flow on your test material to make sure that the silicone comes out evenly and easily. Cut off more of the nozzle if necessary.

Squeeze your silicone the length of the join to be sealed with an even, steady pressure. Wet your finger (from your basin or have a container of water to hand) and gently run it along the freshly squeezed silicone to spread it out flat. It’s preferable to do this in long even strokes, rather than patting. Wet your finger each time before touching the silicone to prevent it from sticking to you.

You can also use a caulking tool, they are handy and inexpensive, although in reality, it is much easier to use a dampened finger. However, some people do find them very useful. They usually also have another side that can be used to remove silicon too, so even if you find you prefer to smooth with your finger, you can still make use of one at a later date.

silicone caulk

How long does it last?

Silicone caulk lasts many years, in fact a good quality silicone caulk may come with a lifetime guarantee. However, in practice, you’ll probably want to redo it every four to five years if you don’t remodel your bathroom during this time. Mold-resistant formulas tend to have a five or even ten-year span, so to keep things looking like new, you may want to refresh your shower silicone before that timespan is up. You’ll also want to keep an eye that any sealant doesn’t become damaged over time.

How to remove old silicone caulk

When the time comes to replace old silicone caulk, you’ll first of all need to remove the old caulk. Although this is a simple task, it can be quite a time consuming, so be prepared to put at least an hour aside depending on the size of the job.

The first step is to take a utility knife and, gently and carefully, run it down the lengths of silicone. You want to do this step by step, piece by piece. Run it down one side of the caulk, then down the other, being careful not to damage your shower. It helps if you angle the blade so that the cuts meet in the middle. Then pull off the silicone. Repeat on all the seals you need to replace.

Now comes the time-consuming part. If you skip the next few steps your silicone will not adhere correctly due to the leftover bits of the previous caulk and you will not get a watertight seal. So, make sure you remove all of the remaining bits of silicone.

Take a small scraper and scrape down and across towards the center of the join. This will take a while but keep at it. You may find it helps to take a few breaks and to come back to it as it can be extremely monotonous. Combine scraping and pulling off the scraped together remnants with your fingers, until there are no remaining bits of silicone in your shower.

Now it’s time to clean. Take a disinfectant spray or wipes and clean the joins thoroughly. Leave to dry and you have a ready-to-caulk shower. You could apply a silicone primer for even better adhesion. If you’re having difficulty removing your silicone, you could try using a silicone softening product and a specialty silicon removal tool. These are mostly three-in-one style tools, so you can also use it to level off your freshly applied, new silicone for a professional finish.

How do I keep my silicone caulk white and mold-free?

The best way to keep your silicone caulk looking like new is to clean regularly, keep your shower room well aired and to use a mold-free silicone caulk. Mold-free silicones will keep your bathroom and shower free of mold for several years. They typically contain a biocide that will stop bacteria and fungi from flourishing on the silicone in the damp, warm environment of your bathroom.


Silicon Caulk Tutorial – How to caulk a shower or bathtub


How to choose the best silicon caulk for your shower

What are the advantages of using silicone caulk?

Unlike other types of sealant, silicone caulk is permanently waterproof, making it an ideal choice to seal your shower, bathroom, laundry room and kitchen. Unlike acrylic caulk, it also shrinks and crack-proof. This ensures that your seal remains waterproof over time, as no gaps will occur that water could potentially leak through.

Silicone is very flexible, making it an ideal choice for the contours often found in bathrooms, as well as making it easy to apply. It is available in transparent or colored finishes and you can also purchase special paintable silicone caulk. So, if you are put off by the traditional white finish, don’t hesitate to look out for a colored version. Dark silicon can look great with black tiles or panels in a modern understated shower room.

Do mildew-resistant silicone caulks really work?

Yes, they do! However, it is still important to clean and disinfect regularly to improve their efficacy which will fade over time. It is also important to ensure that your bathroom is well aired. Even if you have sparkling clean silicone, you don’t want to have mold developing anywhere else.

Mildew-free silicones generally contain a biocide that will kill off any mold or mildew and other bacteria that come into contact with your sealant. Keeping your shower walls and screens clean will also help to prevent a buildup of potentially harmful bacteria and improve the performance and lifespan of your treated caulk. You may also check the best shower cleaner for mold and mildew.

Can I paint silicone caulk in my shower?

Yes, there are paintable silicone caulks available. However, you’ll have to check very carefully and only purchase one that clearly states that it is indeed paintable. Most silicone caulks are non-paintable as standard and paint will not adhere to them, meaning you’ll have to rip it all out and start over again with a paintable version.

For less hassle, you can also purchase transparent silicone caulk, for a barely noticeable finish, or colored silicone caulks that can add a nice touch to complement your bathroom décor, avoiding the hassle and messiness involved in painting.


In conclusion

If your shower silicone caulk needs replacing, then its best not to leave it until you start to experience damp and water damage problems. Even if it is not damaged, you will still want to change it if it becomes moldy or discolored. Choose the best silicone caulk for your shower and you’ll find it’s not that difficult to apply. Thanks to an ever-increasing variety of available finishes and colors, or even paintable silicone, why not update your shower and bathroom sealant and complement your décor while you’re at it? Check here also on how to clean a shower head without vinegar.