How To Clean Old Wax Ring From Toilet

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Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Anonymous User Every time I lift and re-set a toilet, no matter how neat I try to be, I get some wax on the floor. Does anyone have a certain cleaner or chemical that they use to remove wax smears from a tile floor? How about a vinyl floor?
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Anonymous User I have found those wipes in the tub you find at the suppy house work great.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Masterplumb (NY) I've found a dry rag works best. Chris
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: packy (MA) i keep a spray bottle of lysol bathroom cleaner for toilet work. it smells nice and is disinfectant. ieven spray the wall behind the toilet and wipe it clean. the cleaning adds about 1 1/2 minutes to the job and everything smell nice, including me..
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Anonymous User Are you talking about Hercules hand wipes? I've used them to clean my hands and they work great; they'll even take off most of the dried PVC glue that ends up on your hands. They also are good at removing dirty fingerprints and handprints from doors and walls. I never thought of using them to clean up toilet wax. I'll have to pick up a tub.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: dwplbg2 (NC) After being a third generation sponge user to get the water out of a toilet, I started using a small shop-vac. Get all the water out of the bowl and tank with the shop-vac and set the toilet on its back when you set it on the floor - careful not to let the seat slam into the tank, dunnit, wasn't purdy. A putty knife will make getting the wax off the toilet and flange easier and use plenty of rags. In short, it is rare that I get wax on the floor.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax

Author: dwplbg2 (NC)

After being a third generation sponge user to get the water out of a toilet, I started using a small shop-vac. Get all the water out of the bowl and tank with the shop-vac and set the toilet on its back when you set it on the floor - careful not to let the seat slam into the tank, dunnit, wasn't purdy. A putty knife will make getting the wax off the toilet and flange easier and use plenty of rags. In short, it is rare that I get wax on the floor.

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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Anonymous User On a toilet job I did today, I used dry paper towels on a tile floor. The tiles were large (12" and fairly smooth, so the dry towels worked okay (took a lot of hard rubbing, though). I don't know if the dry method would work as well on smaller, rougher tiles. I'm looking for some type of cleaner that would do the job with less elbow grease.
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Hot water on a rag melts it for wiping.
Author: Anonymous User Hot water on a rag melts it for easy wiping.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Anonymous User I hate pulling a toilet if I don't have my small wet-dry vac (Stinger) with me. The sponge or plunger methods are like going back to the Stone Age. I also use a putty knife. Laying the toilet on its back I have never tried. I can see how it would make getting wax on the floor less likely (I keep the toilet upright, but set it on newspaper). My only concern with laying a toilet back on the tank is that it could disturb the tank bolts, possibly causing a leak.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax

Author: Anonymous User

I hate pulling a toilet if I don't have my small wet-dry vac (Stinger) with me. The sponge or plunger methods are like going back to the Stone Age.

I also use a putty knife.

Laying the toilet on its back I have never tried. I can see how it would make getting wax on the floor less likely (I keep the toilet upright, but set it on newspaper).

My only concern with laying a toilet back on the tank is that it could disturb the tank bolts, possibly causing a leak.

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Re: Hot water on a rag melts it for wiping.
Author: Anonymous User Yes, I run my tools under hot water so I can wipe the wax off them, just never thought of doing it for wax on the floor. Will give it a try.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: jimmy-o (CA) I carry a few cans of Zippo cigarette lighter fluid. ( getting harder to find!). It easily cleans up wax and a zillion other things. Won't harm any finish that I have ever seen, but I rinse clean with 'wet-ones' anyway.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: dwplbg2 (NC) I am adimant about removing all of the old wax from all surfaces and using a new wax seal before resetting any toilet. Don't forget that wax rings are (or are supposed to be) a one shot deal - even if it was set for a few seconds. I lay the toilet on the back so that I can remove all of the wax from the bottom of the toilet. (as well as caulk or grout from the base) As far as the tank bolts go, if the toilet is old enough that the rubber washers are worn perhaps a tank rebuild would benefit the customer in the long term - ask first.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax

Author: dwplbg2 (NC)

I am adimant about removing all of the old wax from all surfaces and using a new wax seal before resetting any toilet. Don't forget that wax rings are (or are supposed to be) a one shot deal - even if it was set for a few seconds. I lay the toilet on the back so that I can remove all of the wax from the bottom of the toilet. (as well as caulk or grout from the base) As far as the tank bolts go, if the toilet is old enough that the rubber washers are worn perhaps a tank rebuild would benefit the customer in the long term - ask first.

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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Anonymous User A shop vac work very well. And I find a cotton rag get's the wax off the floor with no problem. Rocky
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Trytoanswer (GA) Stingers are the best shop vacs for removing water from toilet. Also Sears has a small vac just like the stinger.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Phil H Packy said "everything smell nice, including me.." HaHaHaHa. I am laughing because it reminds of of some silly radio ads. In Los Angeles there is a company advertising on the radio as "smell good plumbers." I think they say if there plumber is not on time and smells good the service call is free. Make sure you keep the Lysol handy.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Anonymous User Does anyone actually use the "johnny lift"? I couldnt imagine haulin that thing around to pull a toilet.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: PlumberManDan (IA) My techs Use, or had BETTER Use dropcloths on each and every call. Each service vehicle is stocked with 10 of then, plus runners and tarps. It is SO easy to pull a W/C and set it on a small dropcloth, No need to worry about getting old wax on the finished floor. There are always exceptions,In that case, a DRY cotton Cloth followed by a GOO GONE moistened cotton cloth. PLumbermandan
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax

Author: PlumberManDan (IA)

My techs Use, or had BETTER Use dropcloths on each and every call. Each service vehicle is stocked with 10 of then, plus runners and tarps.
It is SO easy to pull a W/C and set it on a small dropcloth, No need to worry about getting old wax on the finished floor. There are always exceptions,In that case, a DRY cotton Cloth followed by a GOO GONE moistened cotton cloth.

PLumbermandan

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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Anonymous User Naphtha will clean wax. Available most anywhere. It is the primary component of the liquid "Robertson" brand lighter fluid. I have used it at work on occasion, however most of the stuff here is wall hung, so it's not too big of a problem. But....at one time I kept bees as a hobby, and trust me, that wax gets everywhere, paint don't stick to wax, and the wife didn't like the sticky dirt attracting stuff on the floors & counters, so I know it works. An old beekeeper turned me onto this. I am a newbee here, great spot, I will be back.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax

Author: Anonymous User

Naphtha will clean wax. Available most anywhere. It is the primary component of the liquid "Robertson" brand lighter fluid.
I have used it at work on occasion, however most of the stuff here is wall hung, so it's not too big of a problem.
But....at one time I kept bees as a hobby, and trust me, that wax gets everywhere, paint don't stick to wax, and the wife didn't like the sticky dirt attracting stuff on the floors & counters, so I know it works. An old beekeeper turned me onto this.

I am a newbee here, great spot, I will be back.

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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: Anonymous User Yes - some kind of solvent like Goo-Gone probably works best.Actually that stuff works on anything just about.... It's got the orange-oil in it so it doesn't smell as strong as naptha either (and is far safer).
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: drearsha (TX) Awesome information
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax
Author: riswelch (VA) I assume that the only solution would be to hire a professional tile cleaning. Of course, hiring such a service would cost a little more, but at the same time, you can be sure you won't waste your time searching for the solution. I consider that the best way to fix a specific problem is by hiring a professional service. For example, when my house suffered water damage, I had two options. I could either try to remove the water myself or hire a flood restoration company. Luckily, I chose the second option, and that was right. Edited 2 times.
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Re: Cleaning up toilet wax

Author: riswelch (VA)

I assume that the only solution would be to hire a professional tile cleaning.
Of course, hiring such a service would cost a little more, but at the same time, you can be sure you won't waste your time searching for the solution.
I consider that the best way to fix a specific problem is by hiring a professional service.
For example, when my house suffered water damage, I had two options.
I could either try to remove the water myself or hire a flood restoration company.
Luckily, I chose the second option, and that was right.

Edited 2 times.

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