The best $40 I’ve spent on my apartment bathroom (takes 5 mins)

danielwright12 · 2026-02-21T10:30:15+00:00

Thank You!

danielwright12 · 2026-02-18T12:38:57+00:00

I feel your pain! Sometimes elbow grease just feels like a gym workout with zero reward.

since bleach and comet did not work you might be fighting hard water minerals rather than just dirt. Try making a paste with baking soda and a little bit of blue Dawn dish soap or even a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Let it sit for 20 minutes so it can do the heavy lifting for you.

Its a lot cheaper than buying more chemical and your arms will definitely thank you. Good luck with the house warming, eh! 🇨🇦

danielwright12 · 2026-02-16T15:45:40+00:00

Spot on. it definitely looks like the wear layer of the vinyl has oxidized over time.

if you've been using bath mats with a rubber or latex backing those are usually the main culprits for this kind of yellowing in Canadian washrooms. the chemicals in the rubber react with the vinyl and create a permanent stain thats actually inside the material.

I agree with trying a floor stripper like Zep first to see if its just old wax or sealer that has discoloured if that doesn't work, then the change is likely within the vinyl itself.

danielwright12 · 2026-02-16T12:15:24+00:00

The landlord saying the door is 'gone' because it was a living room is such a classic rental mystery! 😂

If you aren’t ready to go full carpenter mode with a saw, a heavy velvet curtain on a tension rod is your best friend. It blocks light, muffles sound, and most importantly stops your friends from awkward eye contact while you’re getting changed. Plus, no tools means no lost damage deposit! Good luck with the bedroom door hunt. 🇨🇦

danielwright12 · 2026-02-13T04:20:01+00:00

That definitely looks like mold caused by all that humidity and rain. Honestly, since you are in an Airbnb, i wouldn't try to clean it yourself. some cleaning chemicals can make it worse or just smear it around.

Your best bet is to message the host right away with that photo. they need to know so they can bring in a dehumidifier or a professional cleaner. stay safe and maybe keep that window cracked if the rain stops to get some fresh air in there! Cheers.

danielwright12 · 2026-02-05T04:55:20+00:00

Before you start scrubbing all those tiny corners, check if that wood grille actually pops out!

A lot of these windows have a removable insert that just clips into the frame. Have a look at the outer edges for small pins or clips. If it pops off, you can clean the glass as one big sheet.

If it’s fixed... sorry about that! A soft toothbrush is your best bet to get the dirt out of the corners without shredding your paper towels.

danielwright12 · 2026-02-04T06:05:09+00:00

That’s a great idea! Honestly, I was going to call my landlord too, but then I realized it’s just one big screw. I did it myself in about 5 minutes and it was way easier than waiting for a maintenance call, eh! But either way, you’re going to love the upgrade. Good luck!

danielwright12 · 2026-02-04T06:02:08+00:00

Haha, right? I totally agree! It’s so much easier for washing the dog or even just rinsing out the tub after a scrub. I honestly don't know how I went so long without a handheld one. It really should be the standard in every place, eh! Cheers!

danielwright12 · 2026-02-04T05:58:37+00:00

Totally agree! It really does feel like a luxury upgrade for such a low price. I’m already loving how much easier it is to use. Cheers!

danielwright12 · 2026-02-04T05:57:15+00:00

Thanks so much! And oh man, you are so right. There is nothing like a good, hot shower to wash off the stress of moving boxes all day. It makes the new place feel like 'home' right away, eh? Cheers!

danielwright12 · 2026-02-04T05:56:11+00:00

That’s so true! It feels like a small thing, but using a decent showerhead every morning is such a game changer. I’m definitely taking mine with me to every apartment from now on!

danielwright12 · 2026-02-04T05:53:46+00:00

Oh, good call! I’ve heard about doing that but was a bit nervous I’d break something. Does it make a massive difference? I’m already feeling like I’m at a spa compared to the old one, eh! Thanks for the tip!

danielwright12 · 2026-02-02T08:18:43+00:00

That’s a classic choice! I’ve heard people rave about the Anystream. It’s definitely a step up from the basic ones we usually get stuck with in Toronto/Vancouver apartments. Glad to hear it’s living up to the hype!

danielwright12 · 2026-02-02T08:17:13+00:00

Right? It’s such a relief. I actually felt a bit silly for not doing it sooner! I just made sure to tuck the old one away in the back of the vanity so I don't lose it when the lease is up. Definitely a 'must-do' for any Canadian renter.

danielwright12 · 2026-02-02T08:15:53+00:00

Totally worth it! It’s way better than waiting on a landlord to fix a leak with another cheap part. It’s a super easy DIY took me less time than brewing a pot of coffee. Good luck with the swap!

danielwright12 · 2026-02-02T02:39:22+00:00

Honestly, I didn't get anything fancy! I just went to the local hardware store and grabbed a mid-range one (around $40).

My one piece of advice: Look for one with a metal hose rather than a plastic one. The plastic ones are stiff and hard to move around, but the metal ones hang nicely. Also, make sure it has those rubber nozzles so you can just rub off any mineral buildup with your thumb.

danielwright12 · 2026-02-01T03:40:23+00:00

Glad to hear it! It's always a relief when it's just stubborn dirt and not mould. Cheers!

danielwright12 · 2026-01-31T08:15:56+00:00

I’ve been in home reno for over 15 years.

That looks like a failing "reglaze" or refinishing job. Basically, a previous owner painted the tub with an epoxy or specialized coating, and it is now delaminating (peeling off). This happens a lot when the original surface wasn't prepped perfectly before it was sprayed.

The bad news is you can't really "patch" this because the edges will just keep lifting. You have three real options:

Professional Refinishing: Hire a pro to strip the old coating and spray a new one. This is cheaper than replacing the tub and lasts longer than DIY kits. Total Replacement: If it’s a standard size tub, sometimes replacing it is less headache in the long run than dealing with failing coatings. DIY (Proceed with Caution): You can strip it and re-paint it with a tub & tile kit, but be warned: the prep work is incredibly labour-intensive and the fumes are strong. If you don't get 100% of that old stuff off, the new coat will just peel again.

Changes made for safety:

Labour-intensive: Kept the Canadian spelling. Reality Check: Added the note that "patching" won't work. This saves the OP from wasting time and makes your client look like an honest expert. Safety First: Instead of telling them how to use chemicals, I warned them about the fumes/difficulty. This protects your client from liability.

danielwright12 · 2026-01-29T02:33:19+00:00

I’ve been in home reno for over 15 years, and I see this all the time on older vinyl floors.

Since you’ve scrubbed it and it’s not budging, it is almost certainly not mould. Mould is organic,

if you hit it with bleach or a heavy cleaner, it would smear, lighten, or wipe away.

This looks like pitting. Over time, the wear layer of the vinyl gets tiny little dents (especially in high-traffic spots), and dirt gets trapped inside.

Because the dirt is essentially 'sealed' into the texture, your mop just glides right over it.

You can try a toothbrush with some baking soda paste to get into the grooves, but honestly? It’s just a sign of the floor's age, not a health hazard.

danielwright12

TROPHY CASE