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Slate shower tile - terrible soap scum

Article Number: 355 | Rating: 1.7/5 from 6 votes | Last Updated: Mon, Aug 20, 2007 at 12:00 AM

we have 1 yr old slate tile in our shower. it seems as if overnight, a terrible soap scum film developed (the shower spray area appears fine). We routinely squeegee our glass shower doors but, never thought about the tiles on the floor! I have tried everything: elbow grease and dawn dishwashing soap, (the following all from internet:) automatic dishwaher detergent and scrubbing, vinegar and baking soda paste, home depot recommended greased lightening (product) with mr. clean magic eraser, shout spray, WD40, and latest was method eucalyptus soap scum remover. I feel that trying all these products have made the slate tile look worse - it is originally a light greenish-gray color. Now, appears almost whitish - HELP!! Aloha! Terri

Dear Terri:

I'm afraid that you neglected to use some nitroglicerine, rocket fuel and some enriched plutoniom to "clean" your shower... :-)

Do you really listen to all the garbage the some sales person without a clue is telling you??... Vinegar and baking soda on natural stone to remove soap scum??... A greased lightening product from the Home Depot??... WD-40, which is a lubricant??... Did you check if the Eucalyptus soap scom remover thing is rated for natural stone??...

What a mess!! :-(

And, to top it all, probably for nothing.

In fact, soap scum does not happen overnight and what you have perceived as being an accumulation of soap scum is most likely efflorescence do the the fact that somehow water found its way behind your slate tiles.

How many time do I have to say that, with a precious few exceptions, slate does not belong in a shower stall?!

Your best bet is to consult with a stone restoration contractor in your neck of the woods, but don't be too optimistic about a possible solution.

We're here to help, but not when the entire thing is so far gone.

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm? J

Ciao and good luck,

Maurizio Bertoli

www.marblecleaning.org – The Only Consumers' Portal to the Stone Industry Establishment!