Strange cleaning problems and all the answers

 

Witch soot or Black Magic Dust consists of dark stains that appear indoors seemingly without explanation. However, it is not witches or magicians at work, but simply small particles that bind to surfaces. Black “shadows” often appear in the corners where the walls meet the ceiling, and the frustrating thing is that they return even if you manage to clean them away. Electrical wiring and plastic surfaces are often affected by witch soot, but plasterboard walls and painted surfaces can also be affected. The reason witch soot has become more common is believed to be that people have switched to water-based paints, which often contain an added solvent called texanol - TMPD-MIB, a substance that can bind small pollutants (to the painted surface) that would otherwise have floated around in the room.

 

Propylene glycol is another substance that many believe may be involved in this “witch’s brew”. Propylene glycol is sticky and attracts moisture, and is found in, among other things, paint and polish. If you think we are “nerding out” about the environment and chemical use at home, well … that is partly why you have just read about this. There are a “heck of a lot” of chemicals in our homes that we are unaware of.

 

Poor ventilation, cold and moisture contribute to witch soot taking hold, and of course there will be more witch soot if you use candles or a wood-burning stove, but the particles can also come from elsewhere.

The good news is that it most likely is not your fault or a sign that you clean poorly. It can be cleaned away, as long as there is not an unreasonable amount and, of course, nothing supernatural is involved. The bad news is that remediation, repainting and an investigation into what is causing the phenomenon may actually be necessary. Contacting your landlord—or, if it is your house, an expert—as soon as possible is a good idea. 

 

Glass disease:

 

For a long time, people believed that glass disease was caused by a bacterium and that it spread between glasses. However, it is not quite that exciting. Glass disease occurs because too much soda was used during the manufacture of the glass. In other words, the quality of the glass batch is the decisive factor. The tricky thing about glass disease is that it rarely appears immediately; it can emerge several decades later, and it is usually old glass that “gets the disease”. To determine whether it is glass disease, try polishing it with a little vinegar on a cloth—if the “haze” comes off the glass, it is not glass disease.

 

The bad news is that if it turns out to be glass disease, there is no way to “repair” it or wash it away. The only solution then is to accept that you have an object with patina and love it for that reason ;)

 

You can avoid accelerating the spread of glass disease by washing glasses by hand. Dishwasher detergent is often strongly alkaline and can speed up glass disease. 

Bright green deposits in sinks, bathtubs and toilets:

 

The green substance is most likely copper from the water pipes, not some mysterious algae that has taken over your bathroom ;)

 

Green deposits indicate that the water is acidic, causing copper to “precipitate” and discolor bathroom ceramics.

 

The good news is that it can be removed with vinegar and an eco-fiber cloth. Let the vinegar sit for a while if there is a lot of buildup and it is firmly stuck.

 

The bad news is that light-colored hair can also develop a green tint if it is washed in this water. It is also not good for the pipes and should be addressed before the water pipes suffer too much damage. The pH value is low if this is the problem; a filter with additional lime can balance the pH, but you should consult an expert to solve the problem.

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Questions and Answers

 

 

What is witch soot and why is it common in homes?
Witch soot consists of dark stains that form indoors on surfaces such as wiring and plasterboard walls. It is fairly common and is believed to be caused by the use of water-based paints and poor ventilation.

How can witch soot be dealt with, and what should you do if it does not disappear?
Witch soot can be dealt with through thorough cleaning, but serious cases may require remediation and repainting of surfaces. If the problem remains despite cleaning, you should contact an expert for further action.

What are the potential consequences of glass disease, and how can you prevent it from spreading?
Glass disease occurs because too much soda was used during the manufacture of the glass and can appear several decades later. To prevent it from spreading, avoid dishwasher detergent and wash glasses by hand instead.

 

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