Shower – How to prevent runoff from bar soap damaging the caulk in the shower

I think the real problem here is that as things get colder and hotter they expand and contract. If you fill the gaps and make it look perfect when it's warm out and the crack is small, it will not look very good once it gets cold and that crack grows again.

I would scrape old caulk and fill it in when it is cold out and the crack is the biggest. This may buldge some in the summer when it's hot, but that's probably better than having a crack.

If there is moisture still there, then mold and mildew will return. If the problem was not fixed, then it will return. Bathrooms are particularly bad in this respect, since moisture is a natural consequence of using water. I would expect to need to redo things like caulking every few years to fix this. It will not last forever.

1. Scrape/pull off the old silicon.

2. Apply a solution of bleach to kill the mold. Be careful when you apply it, as bleach can damage the clothes you are wearing. Keep the area ventilated well.

3. Let it dry. If you are in a hurry, a fan blowing on the area will help. A hair dryer can also speed that process considerably.

4. Apply new caulk in a smooth bead. I use my finger to spread it along the joint. Definitely use a high quality silicon caulk with a mold/mildew inhibitor. These are caulks that are designated for use in bathrooms.

5. Allow it to fully dry before you get it wet again. Give it a day or so. It will skin over in an hour or so, but make sure it has properly cured before use of the shower.

Expect to redo this process in some number of years. The exact time it will last depends on how well the area is ventilated.

Of course, there may be mold in the wall itself. This is difficult to deal with unless you tear the wall down to replace it completely, and even then water tends to attract the stuff. Mold spores are everywhere.