Toilet gunge

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Rikkitic

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#171625 25-Apr-2015 16:51

I live in an old farmhouse that collects a lot of dust. When I try to clean the dust with a damp cloth from the base of the toilet bowl or any ceramic surface, it turns into a particularly annoying mud that spreads streaks everywhere, but is almost impossible to wipe away. All wiping does is just spread it around. Do any of the engineers here know why this is? Dirt on my desktop or other smooth, shiny surfaces wipes up with ease, but not from porcelain. Why is this so? Are there any solutions?

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Niel

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#1291486 25-Apr-2015 19:45

My theory is that makers of cleaning products formulate chemicals to clean sufficiently to make a difference but then leaves the surface sticky (etc) so you have to clean more often. For example Exit Mould works, but only on the surface and does not kill mould roots (rather use Borox which actually penetrates surfaces, bleach can't). I do not know the answer, but suggest you try cleaning porcelain with methylated spirits diluted to 10% with water (it gets slightly warm when you mix it, this is normal). Use a micro fibre cloth, cheap ones are fine. My wife uses a cleaning product for marble/stone benchtops which cleans well but leaves marks behind, when using methylated spirits it needs slightly more rubbing but no marks left behind.

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MadEngineer

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#1293170 28-Apr-2015 21:57

Try sugar soap. get it from any hardware store, including the warehouse

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.

SepticSceptic

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#1293772 29-Apr-2015 17:35

Have much the same living environment ( a converted barn ), but don't seem to have that cleaning issue. I use lint-free cloth / microfibre, and give the porcelains a brief misting with the usual spray n wipe cleaners. Separate cloths of course ... wipe down, turing the cloth regularly, rather than trying to wipe everything in one swipe.

pctek

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#1294517 30-Apr-2015 19:37

Sugar soap is a degreaser.

And I don't recommend cleaning the toilet with a damp cloth.
Some disinfectant and cleaning product is a far better idea.

Ditto bathroom sinks etc......

MadEngineer

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#1294597 30-Apr-2015 21:48

pctek: Sugar soap is a degreaser.

... and will cut through what is making the dust sticky. it's commonly used for washing surfaces prior to painting, and I have seen it work wonders on sticky dust that was otherwise glued to a skirting board.

You're not on Atlantis anymore, Duncan Idaho.