- This topic has 3 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 3 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
I just labored through a small bathroom that was LOADED with 10 plus years of hairspray. No joke, the grout (originally bright white) was covered in a black thick sticky coating of hairspray. Hard surface cleaner could not seem to penetrate this gelatenous mess. I resorted to getting it all good and wet and litterally scraping the goo off the grout and then scrubbing the heck out of it with a stiff bristle brush. What a time consuming mess! Fortunately the end result was excellent and the customer was thrilled but I definately lost out on this one.
For future reference, does anyone have any thoughts, tips or tricks for this? I have also encountered layers of hairspray on carpet which also poses a similar type challenge so feel free to chime in on that as well.
Thank you,
Marc
I’m not sure if this would do the trick, but there is a newer product in the HB store, #160, hard surface acid. I was told that this is for tough tile & grout jobs. John would probably have some idea if it would work on hairspray.
Jeff
I would think using either fast acting enzyme, or one of our solvents (dry solvent, TGP, or straight Orange Deodorizer), would be the best ways to tackle hair spray. I view hair spray as having the same properties as a glue and would treat it as such. I’m not sure if the acid would do the trick, but using acid on tile/grout should be done only after you do your homework. Acid actually eats away at grout/concrete. It will fizz/bubble if you put it on it and it’s basically eating the grout. If you treat with the acid (low PH), you have to flush with water as usual, and then you have to reclean using the regular tile/grout cleaner (high PH) to help bring everything back to a neutral PH. If you don’t, you will leave that acid on the grout and it will continue to eat away at it. Tile/grout is no different than carpet when it comes to PH. That said, acid is a great way to test tile/grout before you clean it. If you take an eye dropper and put a little on a grout line in an inconspicuous spot and it fizzs, then you know you can reach the grout, which is your main battle. If you put it on and it doesn’t fizz, then something is blocking it from touching the grout (floor wax, etc) and you have a battle on your hands. I am still learning about Acid when it comes to tile/grout, so if someone disagrees, don’t hesitate to respond. Also, if you do ever use Acid, be careful if you are spraying it around stainless steel as it will discolor it (i.e. kitchens).
Now that you mention it, one of the solvents would be a better choice. If I’m not mistaken, the acid is meant to break down organic material, i.e. mold, mildew. I would put hair spray in the glue family.
The acid is excellent for tile shower stalls, and quite easy to use. You do have to flush it and go behind with the hard surface cleaner. It’s strong stuff, just have to use a little common sense.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.