Cleaning and Stain Removal - Black smudge on bathroom tiles

Hi,

I have owned a condo for about 2 months and when I moved in, I noticed some black smudges on the bathroom tiles behind the vanity - the tiles aren't chipped or scratched but the black won't come off. I can't tell what the black is and have tried several different cleaning products as well as WD-40 to get it off.

Does anyone have any clues as to what the black could be and any ideas on how to get it off the tiles?

Thanks for any ideas and suggestions! :)

Laurie8801,

Have you tried TSP or the Orange product that is for Shop/Garage?

Might be tar globules from the roof...if you are on the top floor...good luck...

Hi,

I have owned a condo for about 2 months and when I moved in, I noticed some black smudges on the bathroom tiles behind the vanity - the tiles aren't chipped or scratched but the black won't come off. I can't tell what the black is and have tried several different cleaning products as well as WD-40 to get it off.

Does anyone have any clues as to what the black could be and any ideas on how to get it off the tiles?

Thanks for any ideas and suggestions! :)shoot it up with pure clorox and when it is removed wash down with soap and water

can i go over an old bathroom counter with new laminate as long as it is sanded well???

Have you tried the Mr. Clean Eraser? I had some black stuff on my tub, and the eraser worked really well.

I would be careful with dumping pure bleach on anything. The smell alone would make the bathroom unbareable for hours. Bleach will not always "bleach" things the way you think it will. Bleach is water based cleaner. If its a oil based spot...its not going to work. I would try a solvent cleaner with a microfiber towel. The erasers that people are talking about may work, as all they are is microfiber sponges. What kind of tile is it?

If black smudge has been fired into the glaze of the tile it is impossible to remove. Glaze is placed on tile before firing and can be easily smudged. If this is the case, the tile setter should have not used this tile.

try using a bit of acetone on a rag and see if that works. if it is under the glaze then theres not much you can do, but even that is fixable but id get a professional before you attempt a project like that, you could turn something thats not bad to somehting thats a nightmare.