How to clean the seams between tiles from dirt and mold with a paraffin candle

I recently updated the bath without spending a dime. Used an ordinary candle that survived when moving. Who would know that the seams between the tiles are so easy to clean with an ordinary paraffin candle! This method was suggested to me by a friend. I got rid of dirt, mold, and other nasty things that grow in the bathroom at once. And while everything is clean - so I can safely recommend the method with a candle.

Paraffin Properties

Conventional household candles are made from paraffin. It is a hydrocarbon, and it is obtained from petroleum products. Highly refined paraffin is white or translucent. This substance is used not only for candles. For example, in cosmetology, it also goes, in medicine - for hot wrapping (for example, the legs are straightened so for children).

Why is paraffin so good? I think the key properties are as follows:

• solid but easy to melt;
• keeps heat for a long time (which is used in hot wraps and applications);
• flavourless, and easily accepts various fragrances (which is valuable in cosmetology);
• insoluble neither in water, nor in alcohol, nor in alkali - it’s directly indestructible;
• it is quite easy (if the layer is not too thick) to be erased mechanically - so there are no problems to remove it, it does not adhere tightly to any surfaces;
• fatty oils in the composition do not dry the skin (but for the seams in the bathroom it does not matter).

So paraffin is a very valuable material, and candles are good not only for lighting (for romance or when the lights were cut down). How else are paraffin candles used in everyday life:

• to protect shoes from getting wet (after all, paraffin repels water);
• impregnation of packaging paper (although this method is already very ancient - it is easier to buy vacuum bags);
• lubrication of hinges, hinges and other moving parts and mechanisms, as well as “lightning” locks, etc. (since it glides well).

Important
Here we are talking about paraffin candles. As it turned out, modern ones are mostly made of stearin. It is much less effective, although it also works: increases glide, repels water, etc.

The nature of mold and the benefits of paraffin

Tile is the best material for the walls in the bathroom, no one will argue here. It is easy to clean, not afraid of damp and durable. The only weak point is the seams. Now they are closed with silicone, less often with epoxy putty.

For information
Masters insist that only an epoxy putty is suitable for the bathroom. But in operation, I personally like silicone more. It is elastic and is not afraid that the walls are a little "walk".

But both silicone and old cement seams collect dirt and mold the same way: even with putty, the level of the seam is slightly lower, a gap is obtained, dirt particles get stuck and accumulate there, etc. Over time, joints made of white or gray become black - this is very bad.

Of course, you can’t start it and you need to adjust the hood so that the damp does not stagnate, but over time, even in an ideal bath, a coating appears. It is well removed by fungicides - but it is a terrible stench. The available acids do well: citric or acetic. “Chlorhexidine” is not bad.

Why a candle is the best way:

1. Removes all dirt.
2. Safe for putty, and for tiles, and for hands. This is not a caustic alkali or powder that destroys the glazing on the tile.
3. Odorless - no threat to children or adults lungs.
4. Seals micropores of cement putty and does not allow the fungus to creep inside.
5. Covers seams with a water-repellent film that is environmentally friendly, safe and effective. Paraffin melts at temperatures above 50 ° C, so that spray from the shower is not a problem for him, you can safely take a shower.

How to clean the seams with a candle

Cleaning the joints between the tiles with a paraffin candle turned out to be a fairly simple matter. Of course, ideally, you first need to sprinkle the seams with a solution of citric acid, then clean with a sponge or soft brush - but this is not necessary. A candle will remove dirt like Velcro, and invisible mold residues will suffocate and die under a paraffin shell.

What do we have to do:

1. Take a candle, preferably paraffin white, not stearic.
2. Flip closed end up.
3. Wipe all the seams. The more carefully the joints are rubbed with a candle, the more paraffin will get there and the more reliable the protection will be, and the color will be whiter.

If you do not skip a bit and walk along all the seams, moisture will no longer penetrate there, and mold will not form.

The main condition for long cleanliness is to dry the seams before filling with paraffin. Otherwise, the mold under the paraffin will be in a closed airless bag and will gladly go deeper. It quickly dries the porous structure of a household or building hair dryer. Silicone can also be dried with a hairdryer, it is advisable to choose the minimum for heating.

A very good solution is to heat the seams with air and apply paraffin to the hot joints. It will melt a little and better fill the pores that are not always visible with the eyes.

I easily cleaned the seams between the tiles from dirt and mold with an ordinary paraffin candle. Try it, and your bathroom will sparkle with cleanliness, and even be safer.