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Post by messimo on Jul 16, 2010 17:23:39 GMT -5
Sorry. I just have to vent... I finally started cleaning our master bathroom today. It's soooo disgusting! The sink has/had layers of "something" (yellow/orange stuff--makeup?) on it, and parts of the floor has/had layers of a combination of dust and grime. I used a bunch of disposable disinfecting wipes to begin wiping up the surfacy gunk. I didn't get too far because I got so grossed out.  I'll keep working at it though, because it HAS to be done! The worst part, of course, is the floor around the toilet. YUCK!! At least we've kept the toilet seat and toilet bowl reasonably clean. Why, oh why, did I wait YEARS to clean the bathroom?!? I, who can barely stand to use some public restrooms! Okay, I guess there is a difference between our mess and other people's mess, but I can't believe we've been living like this. Oh, and in case you're wondering why I didn't just take a mop to the floor, the answer is that if I did, I would have created a sludge that I would then need to somehow get off of the mop or it would get pushed around to other areas of the floor. Yes, it was that bad. Thanks for letting me vent. If any of you have any tips for cleaning a bathroom that hasn't been really cleaned in years, I'd love to read your comments. |
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Post by dtesposito on Jul 16, 2010 17:38:01 GMT -5
Hi Messimo, if you have any kind of powdered cleanser or powdered soap, you can make a thick slurry with some water and just let it sit on the really gunky parts, that will soften it up and they'll wipe away more easily. Even a slightly diluted liquid soap should work unless it's really greasy--let it soak so scrubbing time is reduced.
And while you're dealing with the gross parts just think about how happy you'll be when the bathroom is clean and shiny!
Diane
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Post by messymimi on Jul 16, 2010 17:41:50 GMT -5
Dear Messimo,
You have caught yourself before it got any worse. That's great! Believe it, and keep attacking that mess for all you are worth.
Don't worry any more about "why" it took so long. We don't know why we can't see certain things until the time is right, but once we do see, we can make it better. That's what you are doing.
My suggestion is to break it into chunks. Make sure you take breaks so you don't crash and burn and get so tired of the doggone bathroom that you leave it for months again.
Remember that water and cleaning products are your best friends. Don't spray and start wiping right away. Let the substance sit and loosed whatever you are trying to get up. Use paper towels to get the stuff up so you can just throw it all away, otherwise you will be tempted to wash and try to salvage the towels and probably end up frustrated.
You can do this, and you can develop the good habits you need to give the bathroom a swipe every day or every other day so that you never have to do this again.
messymimi
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Post by meryt on Jul 16, 2010 18:02:53 GMT -5
When I've been faced with very gross floors, I've sometimes tied disposable cloths (J-cloths) round the mop, wrapping them around the head and using a piece of string tied in a bow around the handle to secure them. The gunge would go on the cloth. I'd hold the mop over a rubbish bag, untie the bow and let it drop inside. I got through a lot of cloths, but it was worth it!
The other thing I found useful was to pour small amounts of boiling water from a kettle over the worst bits - taking care not to pour it over my feet too!
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Post by howardsgirlfriend on Jul 16, 2010 19:25:44 GMT -5
I've used old towels, dipped in soapy water, wrung out a little, then heated in the microwave. Lay them on the dirty places, let sit for a few minutes, and wipe. Most of the mess will come right off, and you can clean the microwave, too.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2010 20:40:36 GMT -5
Absolutely go with the heat method others are suggesting. I once moved into a condo where a bachelor hadn't cleaned the bathroom in over a decade, and let's just say he *didn't have good aim* to the toilet. I was so horrified by the inch think sheet of dried urine around the commode that I was paralyzed (being a young naive female I was not aware that "missing the toilet" was a even possibility). God bless my mom (who has 5 younger brothers)....she came right over and without fuss assured me this could be dealt with. She boiled a pan of water and poured in on the floor, letting it sit there for about 1/2 hour. She then took paper towels and put it on top of the water, and most of the stuff wiped right up. There were a few hard-to-get-to areas which required the use of a putty knife to scrap up, and this was unfortunately pretty hard on the knees/back to do. Once the worst of it was gone, she then used baking soda and diluted vinegar to sanitize the floor. This can be done....don't you give up.....worse messes have placed their bets and LOST to squalorees dedicated to cleaning.  |
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Post by success19 on Jul 16, 2010 22:01:17 GMT -5
Those disposible wipes are for little messes
You need something heavy duty to scrap it off.
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Post by bigtimetroubles on Jul 16, 2010 22:12:00 GMT -5
I too have the problem of bathroom at the old house now....it is horrid...the sink is full of shavings soap scum and the floors are dust/grime/urine and dog drippings....the waterbowl is in bathroom and the toilet is their fountain....I just know that the cleaner I hire will do the job best rather than me sweating over it but I think I will swiffer wet jet the floors in kitchen and bathroom before the cleaner ever comes......good luck messymo
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Post by gifted on Jul 17, 2010 3:09:45 GMT -5
I use a metal scraper or a single edge razor on flat surfaces. If I am concerned about gouging or scratching, then I use the edge of an old credit card. If the gunk won't budge, I wet it and allow the water to soak in.
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escape
New Member
Joined: August 2008
Posts: 89 
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Post by escape on Jul 17, 2010 11:23:50 GMT -5
The wide putty knives in the paint department work great for scraping. You can even use them to shovel the ick into the waste basket without touching it. They come in metal & plastic. The plastic ones don't scratch & are inexpensive enough to throw away when you're done.
-escape
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Post by def6 on Jul 17, 2010 21:11:24 GMT -5
Hey, have you ever seen Kim and Aggsie? They put paper towels on surfaces then they saturate them with lots of cleaning liquid. They let this sit to soak. They even do this to the toliet. They peel off all of this and throw it out. What is left is easier to clean. This works especially well on mildewy grout with bleach. Remember to be safe with bleach though.
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Post by def6 on Jul 17, 2010 21:14:40 GMT -5
and what they said about hot wet towels ...so true.
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Post by messimo on Jul 17, 2010 22:00:14 GMT -5
Wow!!! I want to thank everyone soooo much for your help!! I'm feeling really sick today so I'm not doing any cleaning, but when I feel better I will try some or all of these suggestions. |
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Post by notsomessyshell on Jul 17, 2010 23:57:33 GMT -5
I use the pet enzyme cleaner for the floor around the toilet issues. Spray on and leave it for a few minutes then it usually just wipes off. I think the paper towel soaking idea would work well with this stuff, too. If you have a hair spray build up, shampoo works the best. I put some in a spray bottle diluted with warm water. If you use too much you may have to rinse it a lot. But it really works! Trust an 80's high hair master.  |
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Post by flylady on Jul 19, 2010 8:07:53 GMT -5
What I did a few times was to boil the kettle and pour it around the back of the toilet seat, as I am the only female in a house full of males, and you can guess what the loo looked like! It takes a few goes but you should be able to see a result after a few times, you will need an old towel wrapped around the base of the loo and be careful of being splashed. I find wearing disposable rubber gloves a godsend, it really allows me to clean for longer without being grossed out. I find a cream cleanser really helps too, it has an abrasive quality that is gentle too. Good Luck!
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