And in this case, this mixture does not work well with the natural stone countertops. Due to the fact that vinegar is acidic substance and baking soda is caustic, the result of mixing the two can have an unstable effect on stones that are porous.
'Never clean marble countertops with baking soda. This could damage or wear down the sealant over time, causing it to lose its shiny sheen,' the expert says. 'Additionally, since natural stone such as marble, quartz, or any other type is an expensive material, any damage may be expensive to restore. '
Unfortunately, vinegar is an acidic substance, which means it can cause a chemical reaction on your natural stone surfaces known as etching. Etching is a form of physical damage on a natural stone's surface that appears as a dull mark.
Use a 1/2 cup of any of the following: ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide and a gallon of water. Reminder: do not mix bleach and ammonia. On light colored stones, clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. On dark colored stones, clean with lacquer thinner or acetone.
Don't use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine, or onyx surfaces. Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners. Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone.
An oil-based stain will darken the stone and normally must be chemically dissolved so the source of the stain can be flushed or rinsed away. Clean gently with a soft, liquid cleanser with bleach OR household detergent OR ammonia OR mineral spirits OR acetone.
Keep It Simple to Clean Natural Stone
You can use any type of mild soap detergent, such as dish or hand soap, and mix it with a little water. Wet the stone first, and then use a bristle brush and soap solution to wipe the stone clean. The last step is to make sure you rinse thoroughly.
This means avoiding using vinegar. Stones like limestone, marble, or travertine will react to vinegar because it's an acidic cleaner with harsh effects. It can even lead to burning or etching to occur on the surface of the stone. Instead, cleaners should have a neutral pH level of 7 for natural stone cleaning.
Rocks that contain calcium carbonate can erode when they encounter acids, and limestone contains calcium carbonate. Vinegar is acetic acid, and limestone is a base. An acid plus a base causes a chemical reaction. So, vinegar combined with limestone creates a chemical reaction.
If you are cleaning your natural stone floor or counter top like Marble, Limestone, Granite, Slate, Quartz or Travertine ect. if you use white vinegar on the natural stone it will react with the lime in the stone and etch or take off a layer of the stone and make it look dull and take away the beauty of the stone.
Apply a paste of baking soda and water over the stain and leave it for 24 hours. Gently scrub the area and rinse it with plain water. Stains on Sandstone pavers, Travertine floor tiles, and Marble floors can easily be cleaned with a baking soda solution.
NOTE: Don't use baking soda for cleaning glass surfaces, silverware, stone countertops, and wooden floors or furniture. Also, dermatologists warn against using baking soda routinely as a dry shampoo or underarm deodorant, because its alkalinity will disrupt the natural acidity of skin and scalp.
Products that should never be used on these types of stones include vinegar, Scrubbing Bubbles, Tilex, Comet, etc.
Add undiluted vinegar to a bucket and apply it to your stone with the plastic brush. See if it removes the white residue. If it does then you don't need to use muriatic acid. If you need the muriatic acid you'll have to dilute it according to the directions on the bottle.
The simplest answer is no, it is best to avoid bleach when cleaning any type of natural stone. Many home cleaning products, particularly bleach and vinegar, are too harsh or acidic to be on natural stone. These cleaners strip down the stone and leave it in a weak, damaged state.
Using a pressure washer risks removing the natural patina of masonry and stone surfaces. It can also take away any coating or sealants previously applied to the building. This will open up the pores in the surface and allow water to seep deep into the stone and masonry.
The short answer is yes, you can use baking soda to clean marble countertops, flooring, fireplaces and similar pieces. And it can be more effective than warm water and a soft cloth alone. But it's a mildly abrasive alkaline.
Staining agents commonly present in the kitchen, bathroom and other areas where natural stone is used include: Organic materials, such as wine, fruit juice, food scraps, tea/coffee and leaves. Oils, such as cooking oil, cosmetics, grease and oil-based paint. Ink, such as pen or marker.
Put a little household detergent onto the sandstone (being sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions in case you need to mix it with anything) and scrub with a hard bristled brush in a circular motion until you can no longer see the oil stain. To finish, you will need to carefully rinse the stone.
Molds are fungi and they can, and will, grow back after bleaching. There are 4 simple ingredients you can safely use to clean away mold in your home: white vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and detergent or soap.
Scrub with Bleach and Water
Prepare a 50/50 solution of bleach and clean water to use with a soft nylon brush or pad. Allow the bleach and water solution to sit for about 15 minutes after the first scrubbing session, then finish the job by rinsing with clean water and using natural stone cleaner and sealant.
White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle.