Caulk a Tub with the Right Stuff

Q: I need to seal around a bathtub. I have a couple of unused caulk tubes I bought for window a few months ago. Will these work, or should I buy something else?

A: There are different caulks for different jobs. Visit a home store and you’ll find a variety of caulks labeled explicitly for “tub and shower” or “tub and tile.”  “Tub and shower” caulks are silicone-based; they’re ideal for damp situations, they come in white or clear, are flexible when they dry and often contain a mildewcide. Pick up one of these products for a bathtub job. But don’t save the rest to use in your kitchen if it contains mildewcide. The mildewcide is a poison that shouldn’t be used around food, drinking water or in dishwashers. Always check the label for instructions.