⇒ If you want to remove vinegar stains from the natural stone surface, then make a paste of baking soda and acetone. Apply it to the stain and leave it for 24 hours. Now, rinse it with clean water.
Removing Vinegar Stains From Granite Countertops
Spread some baking soda on the area. Wipe the baking soda away with a soft cloth. Don't scrub too hard or you can scratch the surface. Rinse with water and a soft towel.
Vinegar spells trouble for granite countertops (and any other natural stone countertop). The acid in vinegar wears away at the protective sealant that prevents spills from penetrating the stone and causing permanent stains. In addition, over time vinegar can cause etching in the granite itself.
Flood the area with plain cool water to weaken the acetic acid. You can do this by holding the stain under a running cold water faucet or by dipping a white cloth in cold water and blotting the stain. Wash the stained item following the care label guidelines as usual.
Use 1- part baking soda to 4 parts borax and 8 parts water, mix in a spray bottle, spray onto your travertine tiles, then allow to work for 15 minutes. Use a small brush for cleaning grout stains. Rinse well.
If you want to attempt to remove product residue or hard water build up yourself, spray the stone with a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner and allow ample dwell time to soften the residue. Then using gentle pressure and a white Scotch Brite pad or a Dobie pad, clean the stone.
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. It can even lead to burning or etching to occur on the surface of the stone.
Vinegar is made up of acids that can severely harm your granite. Even if it is diluted, vinegar may still leave acids on your granite countertops. This can cause your natural stone countertops to etch. You can tell that your granite countertops have begun to etch by seeing a small ring or some sign of a watermark.
Because marble is a natural stone, mostly calcium carbonate, it is vulnerable to acidic liquids and cleaners. Even a bit of lemon juice or vinegar can leave etches or blemishes on your marble countertop.
On granite, sandstone, slate, or quartzite, you can use a 1/2 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide or a few drops of ammonia directly on the stain and remove it with a damp cloth. Use your normal cleaning solution on marble, limestone, onyx, or travertine.
Etching happens when an acidic substance comes in contact with the stone and “eats” away at the surface of the stone. The etch mark will look dull and possibly whitish. Etches change the smooth surface of the stone. If you run your fingers over the affected area, it can feel rough.
Did you know that the white, powdery tint on brick and stone has a name? Yep. It's Efflorescence. This substance is a deposit of salts which form if water is present.
Efflorescence is a white powder that may appear on the surface of the stone. It is caused by water carrying mineral salts from below the surface of the stone rising through the stone and evaporating. When the water evaporates, it leaves the powdery substance. If the installation is new, dust mop or vacuum the powder.
If you are face with a very difficult oil stain that you cannot remove on the stone than baking soda may be one of the few options you have.
What you'll need. Before choosing cleaning products for travertine floors, keep in mind that the stone generally does best with products that are pH neutral. Acids like vinegar, lemon, or other harsh chemicals like bleach can react badly with the stone and cause discoloration and permanent damage.
To kill off mold and mildew and keep your investment looking its best, travertine can be cleaned with a peroxide-based product like Oxiclean, which will not harm the polish on your travertine. Remember, hydrogen peroxide can bleach fabric, so, like bleach, watch your clothes and linens.
Travertine will absorb harsh chemicals, which again will damage the stone. Do not use products like MR Clean, dish soap, Windex, or anything like these products. These products leave a residue on top of the travertine tiles, collecting and attracting dust and dirt.
Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda onto the tile (it should fizz slightly as it reacts with the vinegar), then gently scrub the surface with a sponge dampened with water.
“Acids are the enemy of any stone but especially marble, which is a softer stone and more porous,” DosSantos says. “Acids react with the calcium carbonate and eat away at the stone.
White vinegar is on our list of "stain busters," but other vinegars, such as red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar, have dyes, additives, and so on that can cause stains. Remember, however, that white vinegar is acidic. If you splash it on your clothing, carpet, or upholstery, don't leave it there undiluted.