How to remove the silicone sealant from the bathroom?

Any owner of a shower or bathtub necessarily faces the need to remove silicone sealant from their surfaces. This composition is used for sealing joints and joints on sanitary equipment, as well as other household items. In this article we will tell you how to remove the silicone sealant from the bathroom so that it will please you with its attractiveness and purity, because it is very important to remove contamination from damaging the surface of the sanitary ware.

to the contents ↑

Features of the sealant on silicone

Chemical inertness and high adhesion of silicone sealants after drying leads to a high complexity of their removal from various interior items. Clear the surface of the polymerized composition, as a rule, is possible only by applying a set of measures that includes mechanical methods and methods using various chemicals.

Important! First of all, you need to know that problems with removal occur only after the silicone sealant has dried completely, that is, when the entire solvent has completely evaporated from it. The hardened silicone is very difficult to remove, therefore cleaning of its droplets and streaks must be carried out directly during construction work.

to the contents ↑

Mechanical cleaning method

Mechanical methods for removing silicone stains can be used only for enameled bathtubs, glass surfaces or ceramic tiles. This technique consists in scraping the frozen sealant with the following tools and materials:

• scrapers;
• spatulas;
• loose abrasive substances;
• chisels;
• scissors;
• graters;
• pumice;
• wallpaper or stationery knives;
• blades.

Before removing the silicone sealant from the bath, the protruding layer of the building compound is cut with a knife or other tool. After carrying out this procedure, the remaining traces of contamination are removed with pumice stone, sandpaper or other abrasive compounds.

Removing remaining impurities

After completely removing the silicone, its location will be clearly visible as a greasy, dirty stain. It can be cleaned with the help of granular products for the care of kitchen surfaces. To achieve the best quality results, they should be used according to the following algorithm:

1. The cleaning compound is applied to a kitchen sponge or a sponge.
2. By careful, thorough, circular movements, the surface is cleaned.
3. The soiled places are wiped with any liquid detergent at hand and washed thoroughly with hot water.

Important! If the treatment site is well prepared before sealing, and it is a smooth, shiny surface, then it will be practically impossible to remove the silicone residues without using special chemical compounds. In this case, you will receive the usual building hair dryer. If the silicone sealant is heated to 400C, then it will simply peel off from the plumbing.

to the table of contents ↑

Popular cleaning methods

If, for some reason, you do not want to use specially designed chemical compounds in the solution of the problem than to wipe the silicone sealant from the bath, then one can use one of the proven folk methods:

Salt salt

To achievethe desired cleansing effect with common salt, it should be used as follows:

1. Take a small piece of gauze.
2. Fold the textile in 4-5 layers.
3. Slightly soak the salt, until the formation of gruel.
4. Dip the gauze tampon in the resulting composition.
5. Wipe off any greasy residue from the sealant.

Important! To clean the place of contamination, it is necessary, without any effort, with a slight pressure. Also, make sure that the salt is constantly moist.

The success of such a cleaning procedure depends mainly on the material of the bath, the quality of the silicone, and the prescription of the contamination. But nevertheless, it is necessary to take into account the feedback of people who have used this method and confirm the effectiveness of using salt in the struggle for the cleanliness of sanitary ware.

hand tools

Removing a layer of old, dried silicone can be done with any solvent, including those left in the house after painting or repair work. For such purposes, the following chemical compositions are suitable:

• white spirit;
• gasoline "Kalosha";
• acetone;
• organic or inorganic solvents.

Important! You should know that the old silicone spots are quite persistent, so you will not be able to "take them from the swoop."

Applying any means, it is necessary to take into account such features of this process:

1. A thick layer of frozen sealant is first removed with the help of mechanical devices. To do this, use knives or other sharp cutting tools, trying to maximize the cleanliness of the object from contamination.
2. After mechanical removal for the remaining stain with a rag, apply a solvent, gasoline or acetone.
3. After a while, the silicone softens and turns into a jelly-like mass. Now it's much easier to remove it from the surface. Most likely, you will need several attempts to pry and raise the edge of the sealant to completely remove it.
4. Leave the remaining grease stain with soda, moisten with water and gently with circular motions complete the cleaning.
5. Using hot water with soap or any washing powder, we perform the final rinse.

Important! Best dissolves the organosilicon compounds, to which the silicone belongs, all known solvent of white spirit. This chemical can be found in almost every home arsenal. Therefore, we advise you to use it first.

to content ↑

Special washings for silicone

The industry has developed a huge number of special chemicals to remove silicone contaminants. The following compositions have proved themselves very well:

• Dow Corning OS-2;
• Quilosa Limpiador;
• Sili-kill;
• Silikon-Entferner;
• Penta-840.

Important! The cleaning procedure should always be carried out with gloves. If an aerosol cleaner is used, it is necessary to take care of additional personal protective equipment - a respirator and glasses.

To achieve the best cleaning effect, washings or cleaners are used according to the following algorithm:

1. With a soft cloth, spray or brush, apply the selected composition to the contamination area.
2. We have been keeping it for some time.
3. We remove the remains of silicone sealant.
4. After removing the silicone adhesive from the bath surface, it must be washed with warm water using soap or any other detergent.

Important! Before applying the chemical to the contaminated area, it is necessary to try to clean the stain on some unobtrusive place. Using this simple method, you can protect the bath from damage, in the event that the chemical composition of the cleaner is aggressive to the material from which it is made.

to the contents ↑

Features of removing silicone sealant from different surfaces

Before choosing a method than cleaning the sealant from a bath, it is necessary to pay attention to the material of its manufacture:

Enamelled surface

It should be remembered that even enameled products require extremely careful handling. Therefore, when cleaning, try not to damage the top layer of enamel.

Important! Steel enamel baths are suitable for any cleaning products - removal of contamination with chemicals and mechanical cleaning methods.

Sanitary ware with tiled

Baths that are tiled with tiles are also quite resistant to cleaning agents. Just as in the case of cleaning enamel coatings, the tiled material should be treated carefully and carefully, taking care not to damage its glossy surface.

Acrylic baths

If you own an acrylic bathroom, then you need to choose special compounds for this type of sanitary ware. The substances that make up their composition will retain the surface layer of your product and will react only to the silicone spot.

Important! Dow Corning OS-2, which is quite common in the network, also received many good reviews. After its application on the stain, the sealant very quickly softens and is easily removed.

Do not use organic solvents, as they damage brilliant acrylic surfaces. Also, you should refrain from the temptation to remove silicone with a knife or other metal objects.

It must be remembered that the problem is easier to prevent than to eliminate. Therefore, you should not allow contamination of the surface of your bath with silicone. If, however, such a nuisance has occurred, try to immediately remove the stain by cleaning the contaminated area with one of the above methods.