Butter-N-Sugar Spill

[The Ranger]

I was in the kitchen when the crash happened; Pyrex glass clashing against terracotta tile, followed by a nine-year-old's squeal of fright. With the reflexes born of a parent given an adrenaline-pump in hyper speed, I rounded the corner to see my middle daughter-unit rooted in a sea of yams, butter and sugar sauce, the Pyrex having shattered like a proverbial mirror.

It was nothing to lift her up and over the morass. She willingly reached high and lifted her legs clear as I craned her over into the kitchen.

Cleaning up the mess... That's become my Waterloo.

The gobs of goo, shrapnel of sharpened glass slivers, and splatter onto the door and walls cleaned up quickly. The terracotta tile, though, has clung to the film of sugared butter as if using it as an anti-wrinkle formula. I have tried Dawn and hot water, mopped with a sponge mop and Sunlight. I've tried a string mop, swiping at the 409 and wrung dry after each swirl. The grease and stick just don't want to come up completely.

Any other ideas?

The terracotta was treated with a sealant less than 3 months ago.

The Ranger

[Phisherman]

I'd use a good detergent with a hefty amount of household ammonia added. Rather than a mop, use a scrub brush for the soap mix and cellulose sponge in a separate rinse bucket containing water. Change the rinse frequently and scrub a 4x4 area at a time. Knee pads will prove to be a good investment.

[The Ranger]

Phisherman suggested in message news: [e-mail]...

Why ammonia? Will this cut the grease?

Roger that, Houston. I already have four of the five items stored in my catch-all; looks like I'll be making a purchase at Home Despot tomorrow morning.

The Ranger

[Wayne Boatwright]

"The Ranger" wrote in news:bqek0o$21b9ii$1@ID-

61173.news.uni-berlin.de:

You might also consider using an automotive degreaser, followed by a detergent scrub and clear water rinse. I did this when I had a grease spill on my clay tile floor.

Wayne

[Vox Humana]

In addition to the auto degreaser, she might look into powders that can be applied to the floor to draw out the grease. I have hear of people using kitty litter. Also, you can get oil removers for concrete that are designed to removed oil stains from your driveway. One brand that I have heard that works is called "Fade."

[Phisherman]

I did not think of an engine degreaser. Lye (oven cleaner) dissolves grease too. Of couse these products have a safety/environmental concern, unlike household ammonia.

[Melba's Jammin']

In article , "The Ranger" wrote: (snip)

My niece is currently preaching the joys of Krud Kutter (Home Depot).

[Melba's Jammin']

Oh, yeah! That's why it's so good on Sheldon's cruddy grill.

[Vox Humana]

Tell her to be careful with Krud Kutter. I bought some on the advice of a home improvement host on the radio. It works pretty well but I decided to try using it on my gutters. Regular detergent didn't clean off the dark stains. The Krud Kutter worked too well. First it removed the dirt and then not being satisfied with good, I used a little more and removed all the paint. I ended up with a big bare aluminum spot and had to paint the gutters. I was preparing to paint the trim anyway, but I didn't expect to remove the paint from the gutters first. Along the same lines, the new Dawn Power Dissolver works great on grease. I use it to clean the interior of my convection microwave. However, I got some overspray on my cabinets and it turned the varnish yellow.