It is not recommended to use Windex on porcelain countertops. While it won't instantly destroy the material, the ammonia and harsh solvents can strip away the glossy finish, dulling the surface over time.
For everyday maintenance, the best cleaner for porcelain countertops is warm water and a drop of mild pH-neutral dish soap. For tougher messes, specialized products like Granite Gold Porcelain Cleaner or Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser deliver excellent stain-removal power without damaging the nonporous, glazed surface.
Cons of Porcelain
If your porcelain tiles have hard water or soap scum buildup, it's time for a deep clean. For the best clean, you can use either a specialized tile cleaner or a mixture of water and white vinegar. Generously spray the solution on walls, floor and fixtures, focusing on areas with soap scum, mildew or hard water stains.
Clean your porcelain countertops daily with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft microfiber cloth. For routine messes, wipe the spill immediately, clean with the soapy solution, and buff the surface entirely dry. Avoid abrasive scrubbers and harsh chemicals.
Avoid using harsh chemicals, even if the label claims they are “safe for all surfaces.” Tip from the shop: Cleaners with bleach or ammonia can actually dull the surface. They do not offer better results and can shorten the life of your finish.
For everyday porcelain stains like coffee or food, make a paste of baking soda and water, or use a gentle store-bought cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser. For tougher marks, use hydrogen peroxide or a lemon-and-salt scrub. Always use soft sponges to avoid scratching the protective glaze.
Yes, you can use vinegar on porcelain, but it must be heavily diluted. Because vinegar is acidic, concentrated use can dull the finish of glazed or polished porcelain and degrade cement-based grout over time.
Porcelain tiles tend to be harder, more resilient and more stain-resistant than ceramic tiles. They are one of the easiest types of tile to maintain but their surface can eventually be eroded by the regular use of corrosive chemicals such as ammonia, bleach or acids that can also damage the grout and loosen the tiles.
We strongly caution against the use of acid-based or solvent-based chemicals for cleaning of fully polished impervious or polished glaze porcelain tile. The use of such products may damage the tile.
Porcelain is an undeniably excellent option for kitchen or bathroom countertops. Caesarstone's lifetime warranty means that with proper care, the material can last lifetime while still maintaining its beautiful appearance.
Porcelain also tends to be less expensive than natural stones which can cost thousands more to install and maintain. Porcelain countertops have a wide range of colors and patterns and can even be printed to mimic other materials. This gives the option to have counters that look more high-end at a fraction of the price.
Non-Toxic Kitchen Countertops, A Complete Guide
Use a soft cloth or sponge with warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap to clean porcelain daily. Wipe up spills right away so nothing has time to dry or stain. Skip anything abrasive like steel wool or rough pads; they can dull the finish over time.
Professional cleaners achieve that sought-after clean-home smell by addressing odors at their source and using natural, non-toxic products to create a fresh, inviting atmosphere. From neutralizing odors with baking soda to infusing spaces with essential oils, their techniques prioritize both effectiveness and safety.
Before beginning to clean your commercial counters for restaurants, you'll need to gather the following supplies:
The best porcelain cleaners depend on what you are trying to remove, but Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser and Zep Shower, Tub, and Tile Cleaner are top-rated. They easily dissolve soap scum, rust, and hard water stains without scratching the delicate, non-porous finish of your porcelain.
Avoid using Windex (and other ammonia-based glass cleaners) on electronics, unsealed wood, leather, stone surfaces, and aftermarket window tints. The harsh chemicals can strip protective coatings, ruin finishes, and cause permanent discoloration or cracking.
To make porcelain shine, strip away the dulling film by sweeping up loose dirt, washing the surface with a mild, pH-neutral soap or a diluted vinegar solution, and completely drying the area with a microfiber cloth. To restore a high-gloss luster, use a specialized Tile Polish or a glossy Tile Sealer.
Can vinegar be used to clean porcelain tiles? Yes, but with a few precautions: since it is an acidic substance, vinegar is a very effective natural remedy for eliminating limestone stains, but it can only be used on matt and opaque surfaces as long as it is diluted in plenty of water.
Never use detergents which contain waxes, oily substances or fragrances, or products which apply polish to the surface: apart from being unnecessary, they may also leave a film which is then hard to remove (and to which other dirt will stick).
Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from ceramic and porcelain. For gentle surface cleaning you can make a paste with one part peroxide and two parts baking soda. Apply the paste and let it sit for about 30 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.
A quick once-over with a cloth sprayed with WD-40 is great for removing soap scum from shower doors and can also prevent mildew from returning. It's also a great way to clean the grout between your bathroom tiles, remove stubborn stains from your toilet bowl, and rust stains on porcelain caused from aerosol cans.
Baking soda is slightly abrasive, making it an effective tool for cleaning burnt or stained porcelain bakeware. Sprinkle a little baking soda onto the surface of the pan, add a few drops of dish soap, then fill the pan with warm water.