There’s a red bacterial stain on the corner of my shower that I’ve neglected too long and now it’s gotten out of control. I’ve tried numerous types of cleaners on it, pouring pure bleach on it, even baking soda and vinegar. Nothing seems to work. Any ideas? Here’s an image:
Are you sure that’s what that is, that really looks like someone left some thing metal there and it rusted. Either way, if you’re tried the normal stuff like bleach* and 409, I’d try them again, but use a Magic Eraser.
On my hunch that it’s rust, I’d try some CLR. If I waked into a house and saw that, I’d assume that someone left a chain sitting there, that’s exactly what it looks like when someone leaves a chain coiled up in a wet location.
*I do know exactly what you’re talking about. I usually just spray some 409 on it, let it sit for 5 minutes and scrub it with a Magic Eraser and it’s gone.
Hmm, now that you mention it, it might be rust. I had a can of shaving cream sitting there, and that stuff formed around the bottom of it, which is made of metal.
That’s what it is. That’s why it’s got all those little semi circular marks.
CLR might do it, might not, but that’s where I’d start.
The baking soda proably killed the acid in your vinegar, try the vinegar with no baking soda, or any mild acid solution.
SOS pad.
That’s probably better than my thought of a very fine grit sandpaper (after exhausting regular household chemical cleaners).
But you have to be careful with anything abrasive, there’s not a whole lot of resin there before you get down to the fiberglass strands. At that point, you’re getting a new tub, calling Bath Fitter or trying to figure out how to patch it.
I take that back, that looks like tile.
Well anyway the rust coloured stain can come from iron in the water, and whether the iron can from a can or from the water or water pipes, the rust stain is meant to be dissolved by CLR.
CLR is a cleaner specifically for calcium, lime and rust and available in most grocery stores.
Looks like rust to me as well and CLR will take care of it.
However if the shower pan is metal and is actually rusting through the enamel, CLR will only be a temporary fix. I had an old steel tub refinished because the rust was inexorable and the tub never looked clean. It was a bit expensive, but a lot cheaper than replacing the tub (and I didn’t want to live with a grungy looking tub in the only bathroom in the house, that guests used.)
You might try BarKeepers Friend.
It is a mild abrasive that contains oxalic acid (sp?)
It whitens our old kitchen sink effortlessly.
If it’s rust, try using oxalic acid on it. This is a mild acid that woodworkers use to remove rust marks and oxidation on wood. It comes in crystalline form that you mix with water. Wear rubber gloves and flush it well afterwards.
If it is rust get a can of Zud, it is like a cleanser, but doesn’t require scrubbing. Just dampen the rust stain and sprinkle the Zud on it. Works on all sorts of rust stains even on concrete. Rinse if off after a few minutes and the stain should be gone, if not a bit of scrubbing with the Zud should take care of it.
Which contains the aforementioned oxalic acid.
Tried CLR, tried magic eraser, tried the strongest rust remover the hardware store had, still nothing. I think it’s too deep. I don’t know what to do.
Exterior spray paint?
BTW, is it tile or a fiberglass tub?
Barkeeper’s Friend, if you haven’t tried it yet.
Next, you could try Vit C. I used Vit C tablets on rust stains on the steps in my swimming pool. Previous owners had left something metal, it rusted, etc. I got some of big chewable tablets and let them dissolve on the stains. They took it out. I’d try a small test patch with a paste of ground up “C” and water to see how it goes. The chemical reaction left the pool plaster a little rough. Try the paste with a toothbrush maybe, and see how it goes.
Home Depot (excuse me while I punish my fingers for typing that name) sells “Pool Acid” - Muriatic (hydrochloric) - it is strong enough to wear skin and eye protection with, but it will do a number on organic crud.
(it is used to adjust pH in pools)
I clean a lot of stains from showers. Try a fine grit sanding sponge. If the stain hasn’t seeped into the fiberglass, this will work.
If it is a rust stain you can use Naval Jelly bought in an automobile supply store. I used it on many different surfaces. You apply, let set 5 minuets (no no more) then rinse. It also keeps the rust from coming back for a while.