'Do not make the same mistake as us': Family damage floor of new home after pineapple rolling ritual

It's a tradition for many Singaporeans to roll a pineapple into their new home as part of a housewarming ritual. It is said to welcome prosperity, wealth and good luck into their new abode. 

However, for one family, this simple act ended up damaging their flooring. 

Erica Zhao, who goes by the username @princessezyt, shared about the incident in an Instagram post on Tuesday (June 16). 

"A little public service announcement for all new homeowners! When we first visited our [home], we excitedly did the pineapple rolling ceremony and left the pineapple on the floor afterwards, thinking nothing of it. A few days later, we came back and discovered a stain on the floor tiles," she recounted.

@asiaone Fun fact: When you eat a pineapple, it literally tries to digest your mouth back with an enzyme that breaks down protein. 😰 Guess it also eats the floor. #Singapore #Weather #Home #Traditions #Pineapple ♬ original sound - AsiaOne

After doing some research, Erica found out that pineapples are naturally acidic. The fruit's juice leaked out — with Singapore's hot weather possibly contributing to the discharge — and seeped onto her floor.

This led to a large white mark on the affected tile. 

She suggested that homeowners who want to carry out this ritual can avoid damaging their tiles by placing the pineapple on a tray or wrapping it in a cloth.

"It's a simple step that could save you from an unnecessary headache later on," she said.

Speaking to AsiaOne, Erica said she felt "shocked and upset" when she first discovered the stains, as the flooring was new.

"We had no idea that leaving a pineapple on the floor after the pineapple rolling ceremony could potentially damage the tiles," she said, adding that the flooring came with the house.

She also shared that while she had considered removing the pineapple from the floor before she left the house on the day of the housewarming ceremony, she decided to leave it there in the end, as with the other items that she had brought for the ritual.

She describes the damage as "discolouration" or "etching" on the tile surface, rather than the tiles physically disintegrating.

"The pineapple juice likely seeped out while the fruit was left on the floor for around three days, and because pineapples are acidic and with Singapore’s weather, it seems to have reacted with the tile surface," she explained.

As of now, she has not decided whether she should replace the marble tiles as she is hoping there may be a way to rectify the damage.

"We are still exploring our options and seeking professional advice on whether the affected tiles can be restored or polished," she said.

Erica also shared that she and her family have not yet moved into the home as they are currently carrying out some renovations. They hope to move in by Chinese New Year 2027.

Issue also happened to others

Erica is not the only homeowner who has encountered this problem. 

One homeowner shared on Facebook group Singapore Home DIY in April 2022 that their marble flooring had been damaged by pineapple juice as well.  

Despite trying methods such as scrubbing with baking soda powder, using stain colour removers and steam cleaners, the mark remained on the floor after one month.

Netizens in the comments section suggested that the homeowner try honing and polishing the tiles to get rid of the stains. 

According to a home care and maintenance post by local building material supplier Hafary, homeowners are advised not to leave fruit and food on tiles unattended for extended periods. 

"When left unattended, the acidic juices from the food or fruit may seep and tarnish the tile surface. For example, food and fruits left behind from 'door opening ceremony'," it shared.

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