Granite and other natural stones require careful care and maintenance. This means regularly cleaning granite to maintain its natural beauty and appearance. However, many cleaning products at home can severely damage granite and other natural stones. Only some cleaning products on the market are safe for tile cleaning.
It’s important to know what you should not use to clean your granite tiles to prevent any damage. This article will outline some of the worst granite cleaners to avoid when cleaning your granite tiles.
As a general rule of thumb, any cleaning product that isn’t wholly pH-neutral will harm your natural stone tiles. This encompasses all acidic or alkaline substances, such as lemon or citric acid, whether naturally or artificially produced. Avoid applying any of the following to your granite tiles:
Although bleach is an excellent cleaner, it can reduce granite’s sheen and even change the stone’s colour. Don’t clean your stone with bleach or anything that contains bleach to avoid dulling out your granite tiles and wearing out their rich colour.
You might think that using glass cleaners to clean your granite by leaving a gloss finish and removing fingerprints is a good idea. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Glass cleaners can unevenly make your granite less polished and drab.
Widespread bathroom cleaning Formula 409 eliminates soap scum, destroys germs, and makes porcelain and ceramics gleam. Unfortunately, Formula 409 has several chemicals that could damage the granite’s surface. You shouldn’t clean granite using typical bathroom cleaners like this, even if the granite is in a bathroom.
Clorox is renowned for cleaning virtually any surface in your house. However, it can degrade natural stone because it contains several dangerous components, including bleach and citric acid.
Whether using a Clorox wipe or an all-purpose cleaner, you shouldn’t use this cleaning product on granite surfaces. Its pH values vary significantly between products, but because it contains bleach and citric acid, it is not neutral, which means you should avoid it.
Due to its overpowering lemon scent, Pledge should not be used on granite surfaces. Lemons and lemon scents contain citric acid, which can harm the sealant on your granite countertop or tiles. Its pH is typically between 3 and 6.
What can you use if you can’t clean granite with several standard cleaning solutions? You can remove 90% of the dirt and dust from the surface of your granite by using warm water and a microfiber towel. Here are some general guidelines for maintaining granite countertops in good condition, whether or not you use a particular cleaner for granite.
To remove dust and filth that could harm your countertops, wipe them down with a microfiber cloth before using any cleaning products. Better still, you can use disinfecting wipes to sterilise the surfaces. However, make sure the wipes are specifically designed to clean granite or natural stones in general, avoiding any wipes that have harmful chemicals previously mentioned.
While soap won’t harm the sealant or the stone, it will leave your granite with a sticky coating. Over time, this film accumulates and must be removed using a specific cleaning procedure. If you use some of these cleansers on your granite countertops, they may damage them. Instead, consider using mild dish soap if you have to clean your granite countertops using soap.
Sealing granite prevents staining. The sealer will disappear if spills are left on your granite countertop for an extended period. They may eventually seep into the granite, causing permanent stains and severe harm. You should immediately clean acidic spills, such as citrus juice or vinegar because they pose an even greater risk of harming you.
Cleaning and maintaining your granite tiles are crucial home maintenance considerations. The good news is that your granite stone features are simple to maintain. Avoid harsh chemicals, read the label of your cleaning products, or seek advice from expert professionals in the stone cleaning field. By following these steps, your granite tiles will look fantastic for many years to come.
You need to properly care for and maintain your granite tiles. Natural stone exposed to harsh elements may fade, crack, discolour, or chip when utilised as kitchen benchtops or vanity tops. Luckily, experts can restore natural stone tiles.
At Slique, we can meet your stone restoration needs in Sydney. Whether it’s a burnt-on kitchen tabletop or an under-mounted sink that’s been hit too frequently, we can help restore your stone to its former splendour.
For all your natural stone floor cleaning needs in Sydney, please call SLIQUE today on 02 9648 0395, or leave an enquiry.