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Cleaning Up:  Pumice Stone  |
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Jana
True Blue Farmgirl
482 Posts
Jana
Eau Claire
Wisconsin
USA
482 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 01 2005 : 10:38:54 AM
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I don't know where I picked up this idea, but it works really well...
Use a pumice stone to clean a really badly stained tub or toilet. My tub is, shall we say, OLD, and really doesn't look clean, even after really scrubbing, and even using bleach  . We have mineral rich water and the mineral stains and scum are horrible. I found that using a pumice stone (yup, the kind you use on your feet) gets the stains and doesn't harm the tub. Actually it sort of buffs a worn out surface and makes it a bit smoother. I used it in a really bad toilet (you know, the one in the basement bathroom that hubby promised to keep clean). It got all the really tough stuff out and the potty looks new.
Jana  |
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Farmer Macleigh
Farmgirl in Training
39 Posts
Tennessee
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2005 : 5:46:15 PM
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Jana,
That's a great idea. I hate those awful stains, too! I'll have to give this idea a try.
Hope sustains the farmer. -- Old Proverb |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Jul 02 2005 : 01:07:20 AM
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actually the pumice stone that you use on your feet is much softer than you want to use. There are cleaning pumice stones out there that will last much longer and do a better job! They are also much cheaper!
A word of caution though- Remember your tub and toilet ( if ceramic) is basically pottery with a glaze on it and that pumice is...rock! Think about rubbing rocks on your drinking glasses...not a pretty picture eh? Well...neither is hard water stains...but the problem with pumice is that it scratches (even if you can't see it) the glaze from the porcelain and then your stains just get worse and worse.
In my cleaning buisness I strongly discourage the use of a pumice stone for most instances. If do use one then you should drain your toilet or dry your tub afterwards and re-apply some sort of finish restoration type chemical. I really like the Metal Cross-Linked Floor Protectant from Brody Chemical Supply (I know...very un-organic) but most mere mortals can not get this because it is industrial cleaning chemical. Try talking to a good plumbing supply store to see if they have a re-finisher. This is really important if you want to keep you cleaned surface nice....then you only have to pumice 1-2x a year. (Hard to believe but true). Moscow ID has some of the hardest water around so I battle this every day!
If you want to keep your toilet bowl less stained try using powdered Comet with Bleach (I don't know any non-toxic chemicals that would work as well) when you clean. To make it work it's magic the best, simply swish the bowl with the toilet brush, shake a goodly amount around where the water touches the bowl and where any marks occur the most. Let sit for about 10 min or more. Then clean normally.
That really helps a lot. I usually only have to pumice once ever 3 months for my most stick client that hates to see any type of ring. Also to keep the bacteria down, remember to drain the tank once a year and fill with pure white vinegar with a cup of salt disolved....let sit for 30 min to 1 hr...Scrub residue off with toilet wand and flush. This also helps with hard water issues.
Good luck...and go easy with the pumice stone!
Ciao
Alee |
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Cleaning Up: Pumice Stone |
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Pumice Stone
