In this post, we address the troublesome problem of "witch soot," or Black Magic Dust, mysterious dark spots that can appear indoors. These spots are common on surfaces such as wiring and drywall and are believed to be linked to the use of water-based paints and poor ventilation. How do you fight them? Read below.
Last edited May 20, 2024
"Witch soot" or Black Magic Dust are dark spots that appear seemingly inexplicably indoors. However, it is not witches or magicians that have been at work but simply small particles that bind to the surfaces. Black "shadows" often appear in the corners against the ceiling and the annoying thing is that it comes back even if you manage to clean it away. Electrical wiring and plastic surfaces are often affected by witch soot, but drywall and painted surfaces are also affected. The reason witch soot has become more common is believed to be the transition to water-based paints, which often have an added solvent called texanol - TMPD-MIB, a substance that can bind small pollutants (to the painted surface) that would otherwise have floated around in the room. Propylene glycol is another substance that many believe may be involved in this "witch's brew". Propylene glycol is sticky and attracts moisture, and is found in, among other things, paint and polish. If you think we are "nerds" about this with the environment and the use of chemicals at home, then... -yes, the reason for this is what you have just read about. There are a "hell of a lot" of chemicals in our homes that we are not aware of.
Poor ventilation, cold and moisture contribute to the witch soot taking hold and of course there is more witch soot if you use candles or a wood burning stove, but the particles can come from other sources as well.
The good news is that it is most likely not your fault or that you clean poorly. You can clean it away, if it is not unreasonably much and of course that nothing supernatural is involved. The bad news is that it may actually require both sanitation, re-painting and an overview of what is causing the phenomenon. Contacting a landlord or, if it is your house, an expert as soon as possible is a good idea.
Glass pest:
For a long time it was believed that glass pest was caused by a bacterium and that it was contagious between glasses. However, it is not that exciting. Glass pest is due to too much soda being used in the manufacture of the glass. It is therefore the quality of the glass mass that is decisive. The tricky thing about glass pest is that it rarely shows up directly but can appear several decades later, it is usually old glass that "gets pest". To determine if it is glass pest or not, try polishing with a little vinegar on a cloth - if the "fog" releases from the glass, it is not glass pest.
The bad news is that if it turns out to be glass pest, there is no way to "fix" or wash it away, then the only solution is to accept that you have an object with patina and love it for that reason ;)
You can avoid speeding up the spread of glass pest by washing by hand. Dishwasher detergents are often strongly alkaline and can accelerate glass pest.
Yellowish-green coating in sink, bathtub, toilet:
The green is most likely copper from the water pipes and not some mysterious algae that has taken over your bathroom ;)
Green coatings indicate that the water is acidic and this causes copper to "precipitate" and discolor the bathroom porcelain.
The good news is that it goes away with vinegar and an eco-fiber cloth. Let the vinegar work for a while if there is a lot and it is firmly attached.
The bad news is that light hair can also get a green tone if it washes in this water. It is also not so good for the pipes and should be remedied before the water pipes are damaged too much. The pH value is low if this is the problem, a filter with extra lime can balance the pH value but you should consult an expert to solve the problem.
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Questions and Answers
What is witch soot and why is it common in homes?
Witch soot are dark spots that form indoors on surfaces such as wiring and drywall. It is common and is thought to be due to the use of water-based paints and poor ventilation.
How can you combat witch soot and what should you do if it doesn't go away?
Witch soot can be combated by thorough cleaning, but in severe cases cleaning and re-painting of surfaces may be required. If the problem persists despite cleaning, you should contact an expert for further action.
What are the potential consequences of glass pest and how can you avoid its spread?
Glass pest occurs due to the overuse of soda in the manufacture of glass and can appear several decades later. To avoid its spread, you should avoid dishwasher detergents and wash glass by hand instead.