If you have natural stone tiles anywhere in your house, avoid cleaning them with vinegar, lemon, or ammonia. The acidity in the products etches and dulls the stone, says Elena Ledoux, owner of Superb Maids in Las Vegas, Nevada. To repair, it will require a very expensive re-polishing process.
It's essential to only use cleaners which are appropriate for natural stone surfaces. This means avoiding using vinegar. Stones like limestone, marble, or travertine will react to vinegar because it's an acidic cleaner with harsh effects.
Vinegar will slowly dissolve the sealer on the grout and tile, allowing dirt, oils, and stains to penetrate deeper into the grout. Using Vinegar on grout can also cause the grout to breakdown overtime. And, that strong acid could damage the finish on the tile too.
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. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.
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.
In a bowl, combine 2 cups water, 1.5 cups baking soda, 1/3 cup vinegar, and 1/3 cup Dawn. Using a spoon, gently stir, making sure there are no lumps. Add the mixture to a clean spray bottle. Spray the floor with the mixture.
The time that white vinegar should sit on the tile before cleaning depends on the severity of the stains or buildup you are trying to remove. In general, it is recommended to let the white vinegar solution sit for at least five to ten minutes to penetrate and dissolve any dirt, grime, or soap scum on the tile surface.
For day-to-day cleaning of natural stone, mopping with a dry microfiber mop is best. You can also use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum to pick up dirt and dust –– just make sure your vacuum has a specific setting for hard floors.
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. DO NOT use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone.
The best thing about natural stone tiles is that the surfaces are very easy to clean. You won`t spend a lot of time and energy scrubbing stone tiles, compared to other tiling materials.
Vinegar kills germs, dissolves soap scum and mineral deposits, and leaves tiles sparkling clean. But before you go soaking your tiles with it, there are a few precautions you'll want to take to make sure they don't get damaged.
Because of its acidity, vinegar makes an excellent natural tile cleaner. A vinegar cleaning solution will eat away at grime caught in the cracks and prevent bacteria build up. This cleaning solution is easy to make, completely natural, and will leave your tile floor streak-free and shiny.
So, what to use while cleaning tile floors? Vinegar is one of the best multi-purpose cleaners available at every house. It is safe to use on laminate, vinyl, porcelain, and ceramic tiles. A few drops of vinegar can help you restore the original look of your tile floors.
Rinsing is not necessary! If you're simply using a vinegar and water solution to wipe and disinfect, you won't need to rinse. However, if there's also plenty of dirt and grime you're wiping away, you may also want to rinse with some extra water.
Grout that hasn't been sealed, needs to be resealed, or is in poor shape should not be cleaned with vinegar. The vinegar penetrates into the pores of the grout, further weakening the material. Over time, vinegar will deteriorate the condition of the grout by etching or wearing it away.
The reality is that the acid in the vinegar will etch away at the finish, getting rid of its shine. Even though many people rely on vinegar to clean, we highly recommend you do not use it to clean your tile and grout, because it will end up discoloring your floors.
Try mopping your tile floor using this DIY cleaning recipe: ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap, ¼ cup baking soda, and 2 gallons of very warm water. You can also add a few drops of lavender essential oil for a fresh scent!
Vacuum, then damp-mop the floor weekly with mild soap and water. Stains can be removed with a mixture of oxalic acid and water. Rinse after stain removal by damp mopping with a soft cloth. Never use acidic cleaners, such as ammonia or vinegar, as these can damage or discolor the tiles.
TL;DR: Combine baking soda & white vinegar to create the perfect cleaning solution for tile grout. Scrub with a toothbrush and voila! For floor tiles, combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, apply paste, let sit, then scrub away and rinse off with warm water. Grout gets dirty and unsightly – quick!
To maintain the luster and shine of your natural stone, use a stone-safe polish about once a week. To polish stone, simply spray the polish directly onto the surface, then buff the surface until it's dry with a lint-free cloth or dry paper towel.