What could this be??

[AJB120]

I’ve just been cleaning our downstairs loo...quite dusty at the min. I found some white power on the floor and on a shelf. Bright white so it’s clearly fresh and not been there long. I don’t use any power cleaning products, haven’t painted in there for a long time so can’t be that. I’m kind of spiralling but my husband has previously done coke. My brain is going straight to that. 🤷🏻‍♀️😩 I’m praying I’m wrong!

I don’t wanna mention is as even if it was coke he’d deny it ... he has every other time when I’ve found packets or it’s still on his face/nose. I don’t wanna ruin our relationship on just a feeling without proof it is that.

I am to be positive and say maybe dried bleach sometimes leaves a white powder behind but this seems a reasonable amount. Sorry it doesn’t sound like great news

Sometimes Cif can leave a powdery residue if you happened to use it in there, but I’m sure you wouldn’t be cleaning shelves with it.

Sounds very suspect if your dh has history. I couldn’t tolerate my dh using drugs, that’s a dealbreaker for me. I guess you need to do some more snooping now.

It could be paint. Paint can cause powder to appear for years, especially in damp areas like bathrooms. Other possibilities are talc or deodorant.

What does it smell/taste like? Coke has a bitter taste (apparently!).

Other thoughts - you haven’t drilled any holes in the wall lately...plaster residue? No one would have used talc in there?

Also you can get self-test kits for drugs like this:

www.pharmadrugtest.com/identification-drug-tests/56-id-test-cocaine-crack-identification-powder.html

(I've not used these and am not recommending this specific brand or company, just showing them as an example.)

Buy these wipes and run them around the bathroom... if there is coke residue then they turn blue.

No need to question him and no harm done if it's clear, if not... we'll then that's up to you

Cocaine Detection Wipes PACK OF Sachets - Detect the presence of Cocaine on any Surface by Swabbing The Area With Wipe Turning Blue Upon Contact With Drugs (2) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GZ422BX/ref=cmswwrcppapifabcc_msPcGbSQP9Q8R

Given your husband has a history of using coke I'm inclined to call Occam's Razor here.

Sorry OP doesn't sound great. Is it just you and DH in the house? I'd order one of those home test kits and get it checked out, especially as he has previous firm for doubt coke. When you have the result it is decision time. What will you do if it is positive? If the answer if that it is a deal breaker, then I'd start to think about getting your ducks in a row now. Good luck.

• I wish we could edit posts. ...he has previous form for doing coke.

You've mentioned it's quite dusty - sometimes if I've become a little lax with cleaning I find a bright white dust & have always presumed it's come off toilet rolls as it's usually found where they've been stored or sat. Definitely no drugs in this house 🤷‍♀️

Is the toilet roll holder anywhere near this area? Some toilet paper can sprinkle white dust when unravelled.

Some damp/mould can cause white powder, so can some cleaning products!

Also, not to be indelicate, but nobody I know who takes coke would leave enough of it lying around to be noticeable. 'No such thing as leftover coke' as they say...

I think it’s really refreshing that everyone has been helpful in suggesting logical reasons for the power and not leaping straight to “He’s a druggie, LTB”

Is it deodorant? I once was confused to what some thick fluffy white powder on the floor tiles were, until I realised it was dried deodorant spray

If he was doing it he’d be unlikely to waste it by leaving it there? It’s expensive- even a wee drop matters?

As above - no way a coke user would leave enough behind to be visible or be careless enough to drop on the floor. In my experience coke users are very careful with it no matter how wasted they are!!

@ToniTheDonkey you’ve nailed it! I was worried everyone was gonna judge him immediately! So thank you everyone for your tips and advice! I’ve had time to think it over and not get worked up! I’ve ordered some on the detection wipes to be sure though. We never use any toiletries in that toilet, we’ve not painted or drilled any holes in there for a good few months. I’m just hoping I’m overreacting. Thank you all again!

Bits ofthe ceiling crumbling off - happens often.

I realllllly don't think someone paying £££ for cocaine is going to leave enough residue behind to be noticable

My cocaine addict ex did used to leave residue behind him like a trail so I wouldn’t discount it by saying it’s too expensive to waste!

Is it still there? I’d have wet my finger and rubbed a tiny bit on my gums to check. It tastes bitter and kind of how it smells when someone’s done a lot of it, and your gum would go numb.