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Original poster

Something strange is happening in my bedroom and I can’t work out why!

385 replies

Wendyer · 11/12/2021 20:40

I’m sorry, it’s not very exciting but I just don’t understand it.

I have a bedside cabinet, and about 6 weeks ago I noticed that there was some gritty rubbley type stuff on it. I wiped it away but later on there was more there. I thought I mustn’t have cleared it up properly so did it again, more thoroughly.

And basically, ever since, there’s nearly always this gritty stuff there! I can’t imagine where it’s coming from - there’s nothing above the cabinet except the ceiling and a hanging light but they don’t seem to be the source. I never hear it dropping onto the cabinet, or see it dropping, it’s just there!

Where is it coming from?!

OP posts:
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Original poster
Wendyer · 12/12/2021 17:25

Well that’s why I never suspected the lamp because there’s a lot of grit and no matter how often I clean it it reappears, even though I don’t move the lamp much! And it’s scattered bedside cabinet-wide, not just localised under and around the base of it. Maybe it’s actually coming from 2 places! I will move the lamp tonight and see what happens.

OP posts:
lisaandalan · 12/12/2021 17:30

A good bleach down might be an idea.

Choux · 12/12/2021 17:32

@Wendyer

Well that’s why I never suspected the lamp because there’s a lot of grit and no matter how often I clean it it reappears, even though I don’t move the lamp much! And it’s scattered bedside cabinet-wide, not just localised under and around the base of it. Maybe it’s actually coming from 2 places! I will move the lamp tonight and see what happens.
Success @ImprobablePuffin More tests being conducted.

Great things happen when we work together (see photo)

Something strange is happening in my bedroom and I can’t work out why!

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SwanShaped · 12/12/2021 17:32

I don’t quite get how so much is coming out the lamp.

ImprobablePuffin · 12/12/2021 17:34

Excellent re further testing! We did it @Choux !!

SoupDragon · 12/12/2021 17:35

Put the base of the lamp in something like a freezer bag.

Stravaig · 12/12/2021 17:36

@Choux
Wow! Are those puffin profiteroles? Puffiteroles? Gorgeous ...

Gwennid · 12/12/2021 17:37

I have anew theory, when you open the door does the sudden draught blow it from under the lamp? Is there a little gap under the base where this could be possible?

Nedclarity · 12/12/2021 17:40

I’m so intrigued! Are you sure it’s coming from the lamp, or the grit has simply landed on the lamp too?

Nellisterr · 12/12/2021 17:40

I have just read the thread and was about to say check the lamp base! I had a mirror on a base which did the same thing, once the plastic base had deteriorated and the grit started to escape!

WeAreTheHeroes · 12/12/2021 17:43

Ah - the lamp base is weighted with sand and there's a tiny hole or a number of tiny holes and it's coming out. Glad you solved the mystery, I was worrying some of that lovely coving was going to come down.

Choux · 12/12/2021 17:43

[quote Stravaig]@Choux
Wow! Are those puffin profiteroles? Puffiteroles? Gorgeous ...[/quote]
Puffiteroles - love it! Yes they are choux puffins - found them on a page from a place Maine where they have a colony of puffins and an annual festival.

CovidCorvid · 12/12/2021 17:43

Dh says have you got artex ceilings

CovidCorvid · 12/12/2021 17:47

Try putting paper on your bed or the floor for a bit and see if that gets grit on it

DagenhamRoundhouse · 12/12/2021 17:47

Are you next to a main road?

BluTangClan · 12/12/2021 18:00

Also, while you've got the tights on your head, it would be a good time to arm yourself with a broom or some such and make sure there's no one living in your loft space, which could be causing dust to fall from your ceiling.
This happens. They come out at night or when you leave the house and eat your pickled onions.

RockinHorseShit · 12/12/2021 18:16

Are you close to a busy road or rail line?

We've had this & I too was panicking about wood worm to begin with, did they paper test... turned out to be coming from a tiny crack where the wall met the ceiling above the wooden chair I kept finding very similar dust on. Turned out to be happening if a bus or lorry went by & isn't anything to worry about

michelle3775 · 12/12/2021 18:17

Do you have a cat? Maybe the cat is picking up the grit then sitting on the top of the cabinet, my cat does this!

Zzzsotired · 12/12/2021 18:17

Answer -

Invert your lamp and look under the felt.

This happened to me once and we found the weighted base of the lamp was some kind of concrete material and gritty bits were crumbling off and leaking out the tiny holes in the damaged base .

Could that be it?

Somebodylikeyew · 12/12/2021 18:21

MOVE THE LAMP!
MOVE THE LAMP!
MOVE THE LAMP!

Trendytrousers · 12/12/2021 18:24

Weirdly satisfied I got this right. I had the same in my kitchen from my kitchen roll holder and genuinely thought I was going mad till I found the small cut in the lining weighting it down!

Stravaig · 12/12/2021 18:29

@Choux
They're adorable! Edible! Adorable ...

RockinHorseShit · 12/12/2021 18:29

Oops Blush

youngestisapsycho · 12/12/2021 18:41

I’m not having it that it’s the lamp… impossible!

Zzzsotired · 12/12/2021 18:56

Is it the lamp?
I’ve not had time to read back on all the thread?