To get the deepest clean possible, use a small, clean nylon brush to agitate the dirt and debris away from the grout lines. Spray the stone-safe grout cleaner along the grout lines and allow to sit for two or three minutes before scrubbing the grout with the nylon brush, then rinse with water.
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.
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.
Scrub the grout with an old toothbrush.
When you're cleaning your natural stone, don't neglect the grout. Similar to the stone, use soft bristles, such as an old toothbrush. With a stone-safe grout cleaner, gently scrub to lift and clean the grime. Rinse with warm water.
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.
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.
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.
Simple Green Granite & Stone Polish is safe for use on granite, marble, travertine, limestone, porcelain, ceramic, quartz, Corian®*, Silestone®*, and other natural and engineered stone surfaces.
The most common and effective homemade grout cleaner is a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. Cream or tartar and lemon juice is the best all-natural solution for whitening. Avoid using highly-acidic solutions like vinegar because they can corrode grout.
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.
Maintenance and Cleaning of Natural Stone Surfaces
Never use abrasive cleansers, “soft scrub” products, or harsh/acidic chemicals on any stone as these can scratch or dull the polished finish. This includes substances like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners, such as Windex.
Fill a recepient of warm water and use only water, or mix it with a small amount of neutral liquid “All-Purpose-Cleaner”, detergent or cleaning solutions specific for stone. Change the solution when it starts to get dirty. Dip a microfiber towel, a duster or a mop into the water mixture and start cleaning.
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.
Making Homemade grout cleaner with blue dawn is quite simple. Use one drop of blue dawn in a 32-ounce trigger bottle and mix with water. Spray on the surface standing up and use a microfiber padded mop as apparatus.
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. If, however, you have sealed your grout on a regular basis, the vinegar won't be an issue.
Products that should never be used on these types of stones include vinegar, Scrubbing Bubbles, Tilex, Comet, etc.
Restrictions on Use: Do not use on non-rinsable surfaces. This product is not classified as hazardous under 2012 OSHA Hazard Communication Standards (29 CFR 1910.1200). Inhalation: Not expected to cause respiratory irritation. If adverse effect occurs, move to fresh air.
Apply solution. Leave on heavy soils for 1-2 minutes. Scrub if needed. Rinse or damp-wipe with clean water.
However, there are a few things to be aware of with Zep Grout Cleaner. While every tile owner may want to try this wonder product out, it's not for every type of tile. According to the manufacturer, it is not for use on marble, terrazzo, travertine, natural stone, chrome, stainless steel, brass, or Corian.
Countertops. If you want to keep your stone countertops looking beautiful, don't reach for vinegar. The acid etches and dulls natural stone such as marble and limestone. It can slowly dissolve them, according to Beckman.
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.