[tiredtenant]

A strange, bluish stain has appeared around the base of my toilet (the toilet smells, too, as does the toilet in the basement). I don't know the source of the stain -- perhaps dye leaked from a box on the floor when it was wet, but the stain is extensive -- nearly the circumference of the toilet. How do I remove the stain? (The landlord's going to freak.)

[ballengerb1]

Sounds like your wax seals may have gone bad and need to be replaced. Are you using blue bowel cleaner?

[tiredtenant]

A strange, bluish stain has appeared around the base of my toilet (the toilet smells, too, as does the toilet in the basement). I don't know the source of the stain -- perhaps dye leaked from a box on the floor when it was wet, but the stain is extensive -- nearly the circumference of the toilet. How do I remove the stain? (The landlord's going to freak.)

Thanks ballengerb1 for the quick reply. The toilet bowl cleaner I use is blue, but I use it only once a week for scrubbing the bowl -- it never sits in the toilet for longer than 10 minutes before being flushed. Between cleanings the water remains clear (to spare the cat who likes to play in the toilet). What do I do about the stain, though? CAN it be removed and with what?

[ballengerb1]

It would help to know what I is but I'd try mild solvents first or even kitchen cleanser with bleach. Start with lighter fluid or paint thinner and then work up to laquer thinner or Goof Off. Be careful to test on the flooring because eventually the hotter solvents may cut into the flooring.

[glavine]

ballengerb1 is correct on this, here is what your going to run into. The stain isn't t on the surface, if you've tried to clean it yet you'll notice nothing happens, the blue dye from the toilet is under the viynl, the flooring you have has a paper backing and it has absorbed the dye, replacement is the only option here , sorry

This is a wax ring problem you need to look into, your floor will start to rott next, this is the early stages of a bigger problem so really it's a good thing it turned blue so you'd see the leak, your landlord can thank you later

[stew_1962]

Sounds to me that it is getting under the linoleum. Have to replace the floor and the wax ring if so.

Probably have some rotted flooring under there, too...

Sorry for the bad news.