[Kapustin Yar]

I washed my blinds in the bathtub. Now I noticed that there are these gray lines where the blinds were rubbing. I removed some of the stains by simply washing them. What do I do about them?

[Elvandil]

Bon Ami, Old Dutch Cleanser, Comet? Is there some reason not to use diatomaceous earth or kieselgur?

[Kapustin Yar]

I guess there are three reason why I can't use diatomaceous earth

1) I can't pronounce it
2) I don't know what it is
3) I don't know how to use it
4) I don't know where to get it.


Ooops, there's 4, not three. I guess I added wrong....thanks.

[wacor]

What type of tub is it.

While comet will probably do the trick it is pretty harsh.

And I am with you on the diatom... whatever it is

[Koot]

I think you'll find that the marks were caused by the blind's bare metal transferring a mark onto the tub's finish. Hopefully the tub's finish is not actually scrapped (scratched), but just transfer marks. You'll probably find that a dissolver will easily and safely remove the marks. To find out if a dissolver will work you can test a mark with a tiny dab of gasoline on a rag. If that works (Do Not continue to use gasoline) go buy one of the many products such as Goo-Gone, which are available at any hardware store.

[Elvandil]

Originally Posted by Kapustin Yar

I guess there are three reason why I can't use diatomaceous earth

1) I can't pronounce it
2) I don't know what it is
3) I don't know how to use it
4) I don't know where to get it.


Ooops, there's 4, not three. I guess I added wrong....thanks.

This is where you get it:

Bon Ami, Old Dutch Cleanser, Comet

It is soft siliceous material. Dead diatom carcasses.

[Who's Me]

Some Barkeeper's Friend would probably do the trick and it works miracles on metal too.

[JohnWill]

You need to tell us what the tub material is. If it's ceramic, the Comet cleanser will do it. If it's acrylic, you do NOT want to use any abrasive cleaner, or you'll have an even bigger problem!

[Elvandil]

The mystery to me is how do you clean stains from it usually? Certainly this can't be the first time a tub got stained.

[IMP49]

Try a little toothpaste on a damp washcloth(regular toothpaste, not the gel). You may have to add a little elbow grease. Try it nice and easy first, and apply pressure as needed.

[Elvandil]

The gel toothpastes also have abrasives in them.

[JohnWill]

Well, I warned them.

[wacor]

I think Comet can be rough even on porcelain. If used too aggressively and often.

[Kapustin Yar]

Originally Posted by JohnWill

You need to tell us what the tub material is. If it's ceramic, the Comet cleanser will do it. If it's acrylic, you do NOT want to use any abrasive cleaner, or you'll have an even bigger problem!

How do I determine whether my tub is ceramic or acrylic?

[Koot]

What color is the tub? Does the tub's finish have swirls of varying colors?