⇒ 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.
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.
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.
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.
When cleaning natural stones like marble, limestone, and onyx, you can't reach for your regular cleaners like white vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or abrasive cleansers. These cleaners are too acidic for natural stone and can damage or etch the stone (although some can help remove rust from concrete).
Clean gently with a soft, liquid cleanser with bleach OR household detergent OR ammonia OR mineral spirits OR acetone. (coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings) May cause a pinkish-brown stain and may disappear after the source of the stain has been removed.
Baking soda is known as a stain remover. It can help to remove liquid stains such as tea, wine or coffee. It also helps to remove the unpleasant smells. It is quite affective on solid surfaces in general but it is not advised to use baking soda directly on natural stone surfaces.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We recommend cleaning with MDR, which stands for Mineral Deposit Remover. (If you are not sure if your granite or slate resists acids, try placing a very small amount of diluted MDR in an inconspicuous area to make sure or call your installer.) Use MDR as directed with a soft brush to remove the calcium build up.
Diluted hydrogen peroxide works well on Sandstone, Marble, Bluestone, and Travertine. In the case of Granite floor, simply brush the area in dry condition. No solution is required to cleanse moulds or algae from Granite floor.
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.
DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges.
Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time.
Natural stone (with the possible exception of soapstone) is considered a porous material. This means that it can absorb moisture and liquid. Any absorbed moisture can cause discoloration in the stone. This discoloration is a stain.
There is a misconception that stone stains easily. It may stain easier than ceramic or porcelain, but timber would have the same issues. It's like if you drop something on your carpet, you will clean it up quickly so it doesn't soak in and stain. The same concept applies for natural stone.
We also NEVER recommend using OxiClean or Mr. Clean Magic Eraser as a cleaner on any type of natural stone.
The Difference Between Manufactured Stone and Natural Stone
Natural stone is heavier in weight, making it difficult to transport. Manufactured stone requires less installation time while also being cost-effective. Manufactured stone creates less waste than natural stone. Manufactured stone adheres to multiple surfaces.
Rubbing alcohol is a natural bactericide and can also kill fungus and viruses. It has no ill effects on your granite or the seal on your granite so it's an ideal way to keep countertops clean.