Wax ring gunk

[Great Danish]

Just had the plumber leave after doing a repair to a toilet. He installed a new wax ring and upon close inspection some of it is on my ceramic tile around the base. This stuff is way sticky - what suggestions do ya'll have to get this up? It looks like normal cleaning products are not going to work...

Thanks,

Jen

[justagirl]

vegetable oil? I used that to get one of those sticky mouse pads up that my dog got into....

[Jerry]

WD-40 or acetone.

And here I am as invited by Yvette.
I hope it's a bit better than the other site.....nothing wrong with competition.

[Admin]

We'd call the plumber, and make him come back and clean it up.

[Great Danish]

Well I would if I were still in New Orleans. But since I am way out here in Bugtussle and the guy came about 50 miles to do the repairs in the first place (and promptly) - I am just not in the mood to push the issue since he was a really nice guy.

I blame it on all this fresh country air...LOL.

Jen

[PNG]

Acetone is a great idea. You can purchase it at Wal-mart. Do not let the kids and pets get into it though, it is nasty stuff. We use it to de-oil bugs.

[Feng Shui]

Definitely don't use WD-40 -- you'll just end up with an oily mess. Acetone will likely work, but I'd be leery of using any amount around ceramic tile (it may or not harm the tile itself [colour, that is], but it certainly won't be good for any grout sealer and/or coloured grout). There is this stuff called "Goo Be Gone" (or something like that -- there are actually several brand names) that removes gooey substances from clothing and other things. It is widely sold in hardware stores, places like Target and Wal-Mart, and even grocery stores. I'd be careful with letting that stuff pool up, too.

[Dilfan]

If it is truly residue from the wax ring, there are not too many chemicals that will cut through wax, although toluene is one that will. Unfortunately, toluene is an extreme fire hazard as well as a health hazard. I would suggest scrapping up as much as possible, then use a hair dryer to soften whatever is left and use an old rag to get that up. Lastly, a scrub brush and strong detergent should get what little remains.

[Admin]

Might also consider an old trick we used years ago to get candle wax out of carpet. Get a brown paper grocery bag and cut some foot-square pieces out of it. Place a piece over the wax, and iron it using medium heat. Wax melts, and soaks into the paper. Use a disposable cloth to wipe off any melted wax that gets on the iron while it is still liquid. Standard disclaimer applies, proceed at your own risk. YMMV.