What is the Best Natural Stone Cleaner?

Many household cleaners may effectively clean paving surfaces, but they can also cause permanent damage by dismantling protective seals that protect natural stone surfaces against etching, staining and dullness.

Food, wine and coffee stains can often be removed using hydrogen peroxide on granite, limestone, sandstone and slate surfaces; water rings on marble may need to be addressed with acetone instead.

1. pH Neutral

Those with natural stone countertops or floors may have been advised by their contractor or salesperson to use a pH neutral cleaner, but what exactly does that entail? Take a quick trip back to chemistry class (don’t worry; it won’t take long). The pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline solutions are; less than 7 is acidic while 14 or above would indicate alkalinity – hence neutral is neutral cleaners are neither acidic nor alkaline and suitable for most surfaces including natural stone surfaces.

Surface materials containing calcite (found in marble and travertine) can be delicate to acidic solutions; prolonged exposure can begin to break down stone structures and cause irreparable damage. Products not neutral in pH may contain ingredients that damage stones such as bleach or ammonia which will further impair them.

Prevent soap scum and hard water buildup on natural stone surfaces by regularly using non-acidic cleaners that don’t use acids; use soft cloth or sponge instead of scrub brushes or scouring pads – harsh sponges may scratch softer stone surfaces like marble and soapstone, compromising their look.

As part of an overall maintenance routine, regular swiping with a rubber squeegee after each shower or bath can help avoid soap scum and water spots from accumulating on stone surfaces. Once Granite Hero has deep cleaned your natural stone surfaces, our specialists can apply penetrating sealers that protect it against the elements while also prolonging its beauty and lasting value.

2. Non-Acid

Natural stone countertops, bathroom tiling, and flooring add a stunning aesthetic to any room, but require special care in terms of maintenance. Acidic ingredients or cleaners that scratch or dull surfaces must not be used when cleaning natural stones as this could erode away at their protective sealant and lead to etching, staining, and color fading over time.

For optimal natural stone cleaning results, the ideal cleaner should contain no vinegar, lemon juice or other highly acidic substances which could scratch and etch. Instead, opt for homemade solutions made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide; these household items dissolve grime while killing bacteria without using harsh chemicals that might otherwise be present in store-bought cleansers.

To ensure that your stone stays gleaming, daily wiping should be performed on countertops, backsplashes and showers to remove product buildup, soap scum and hard water deposits. Always dry these surfaces thoroughly with a soft cloth after each cleaning session; in high traffic areas like kitchens it may be wise to add a microfiber cloth impregnated with stone soap or neutral cleaner so less dust and dirt are tracked in.

Every other day is plenty for slate and travertine flooring surfaces; excess moisture could damage them further and lead to discoloration of their surfaces, as well as accumulation of dirt particles and build-up of dirt particles on their surfaces. When mopping, use a close-loop cotton string soft mop that wrings well so as not to flood your floor with too much water; this will reduce risk of water rings which can be hard to remove later on.

3. Biodegradable

When searching for a natural stone cleaner, it is crucial that it is biodegradable. This ensures that once it has been used and washed down the drain, no chemicals remain behind to harm surfaces or be absorbed into the environment. Furthermore, you should look for one which is nontoxic so as to keep children, pets and the environment safe.

Chemical cleaners can be damaging to stone surfaces, particularly soft stones such as marble and soapstone. Chemicals may etch and dull your stone’s surface while also dismantling its protective seal, leaving your surfaces vulnerable to stains, scratches, etch marks and permanent dullness.

Utilize a non-toxic stone cleaner that’s gentle on all stone surfaces to clean your counters, showers and floors without scratching or dulling their finish. HOPE’s Perfect Granite & Stone Cleaner is an effective yet safe cleaning product with no harsh acidic solvents or ammonia to scratch or dull surfaces; plus it’s biodegradable, nontoxic and kid/pet safe!

Be proactive to protect the natural stone surfaces you’ve invested in by promptly wiping up spills as soon as they happen – this will prevent stains from setting into the stone and moisture becoming trapped underneath, potentially leading to mold growth or cracking issues.

If a stain appears on your natural stone surface, use a poultice to easily and quickly remove it. Doing this will return your natural stone back to its original condition.

4. Non-Toxic

Natural stone countertops, backsplashes and floors add a beautiful accent to any home, but require special care to avoid staining, etching or moisture damage. Common cleaning agents like vinegar and lemon juice may damage these surfaces as well.

These cleaners contain acids which are too acidic to be safe for most natural stones, and may even lead to their color fading over time due to breaking down their surface layer and thus leading to its gradual degradation and eventual discoloration.

As it’s vitally important to protect your investment in natural stone surfaces, using non-toxic cleaners is key. A natural stone counter spray with microfiber cloth is a great way to quickly remove dirt and grime while leaving behind shiny and streak-free results. This daily cleaner has been specifically tailored for granite and other sealed natural stones as well as laminate and tile surfaces; making it an excellent option for kitchen counters or other high-traffic areas.

Trinova offers an effective non-toxic countertop cleaner and polish that works on most stone types, not just granite. Easily accessible, its microfiber cloth makes application simple: simply spray on some cleaner on a clean cloth before buffing away in circular motions to restore shine to countertops like marble and soapstone. Plus it prevents scratched countertops!

Most natural stone surfaces in the kitchen must be regularly wiped down to prevent staining and moisture damage, however abrasive sponges, brushes or scouring pads can damage these surfaces further. Over-using harsh cleaners could prematurely wear away protective sealers on some stone surfaces leaving them susceptible to moisture and other forms of damage; to avoid this it’s wise to opt for gentle stone cleaners such as Trinova’s designed specifically to be used on most types of stone surfaces.

5. Safe for Kids

Vinegar and lemon juice may work wonders on various surfaces, but their acidity makes them acidic enough to cause permanent etching on natural stone countertops and floors. Etch marks dull the surface of stone surfaces making it susceptible to scratches, stains, and other damage that require costly repair or replacement in time.

Regular use of abrasive sponges and brushes on stone surfaces can damage delicate marble surfaces and other soft stones, while premature wear-away of protective sealants used on many natural stones increases staining risk and moisture damage vulnerability.

If your household includes children, then selecting a cleaner that is safe for both of them as well as natural stone surfaces is of utmost importance. Some traditional cleaners contain caustic chemicals which could pose health hazards to young ones when in direct contact. Furthermore, some cleaners emit strong odors which could irritate sensitive noses of young children.

Make sure to select a cleaner that meets both these criteria: it must be safe for children, have a pleasing aroma, and kill germs (up to 99.9%*) that could make them sick – such as Staphylococcus aureus, influenza virus and salmonella. There are a few products on the market which fulfill these criteria – one such example being Method Antibacterial All-Purpose Cleaner which has both pleasant fragrance and gentle on surfaces; plus it kills 99.9%* of germs which could make kids sick such as Staphylococcus aureus, influenza virus and salmonella! * Among others!

This granite cleaner is designed for all sealed natural stones such as quartz, limestone, soapstone, slate, travertine, Corian and marble. You can use it on countertops and floors; even shower walls to help prevent soap scum build-up! Additionally, its polishing action helps leave behind a beautiful finish after every cleaning session.