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Looks like adhesive residue on tile? What is it?

3 years ago

I have lived in this home for the last 2 years. The tile I believe was placed 10 years ago when it was built. When I moved in, I noticed the tile around the toilet more than anywhere had a film or adhesive that was starting to peel? After every time I mop, I notice it getting worse and now have a spot appearing in the middle of the bathroom. It feels like sticker residue and if I keep rubbing it, it comes off a bit. I'm tempted on using Goof Off on my whole bathroom but I have no idea if it will harm the title? Or am I supposed to put something on it? Help!

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Comments (4)

HU-776369764
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
This is one of the spots.
catbuilder
3 years ago
That looks like vinyl flooring. If it's ceramic (porcelain is a type of ceramic), did they paint it?
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chispa
3 years ago
Could it be a build-up of cleaning products and dirt over the years? My parents had issues with build-up and odd stains when using Bona tile cleaner.

Maybe rent a good steam cleaner and do a thorough cleaning on the floors.
SJ McCarthy
3 years ago
A room shot would help a bit more.

Is the tile vinyl (warm to the touch) or ceramic/porcelain (cold to the touch)?

What is your cleaning regime? What products do you use and how often? Do you rinse the cleaner off with clean water? Do you towel dry after the water rinse?

Have you tried a mild degreaser like Windex Original formula? Windex is a cool product. It contains 5% ammonia (so be careful around bleach) that is a very mild degreaser. It also wipes clean very easily and it rarely harms indoor finishes.

I would do a 'test patch' (like one tile) of the Windex. I would spray the single tile with Windex and let it sit for 30 - 60 seconds (no more and no less). Then wipe it up with a CLEAN WHITE COTTON CLOTH. Look at the cloth. Is it yellow/brown in colour? Or does it look 'damp' (just wet with a hint of blue tint from the windex)?

If it looks yellow/orange/brown then you have found the issue. It is most likely residue left behind from cleaners.

I would then spray the single tile again and then wipe up the windex immediately with a new white cotton cloth. Keep doing this until the cloth comes up 'clean' and 'damp' looking (no yellow). You should be able to feel the difference between the windex-clean tile and the tiles around it.

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