What not to use on stone countertops?

Author: Miss Sarah Gleichner  |  Last update: Sunday, August 6, 2023

If it beads up, you have a secure seal. If after a few minutes the water has soaked into the granite, then it's time to reseal the stone. 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.

What should you not put on a stone countertop?

Acidic household items like vinegar, soft drink, citrus fruits, tomato sauce, soap, and perfume can damage your natural stone countertops. The acidic ingredients etch and erode the solid surface in kitchens and bathrooms, causing stains and cracks.

Can I use Windex on stone countertops?

Windex contains ingredients that can permanently damage the granite. While the most common damage done by Windex is dulling the shine of the countertops, it can also cause pitting.

Can you use Clorox wipes on stone countertops?

The multi-purpose cleaner contains bleach, which is extremely harmful for granite and many other natural stones. The wipes are also a cleaner you should stay away from, as they contain citric acid that can cause your sealant to wear down.

Is vinegar bad for stone countertops?

However, vinegar should never be used on your granite countertops. 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.

10 Countertop Mistakes You NEED To Want to Avoid!

Is Dawn dish soap safe for granite?

Do use a mild detergent soap. Regular Dawn or other dish soaps work well. Do use a soft cloth. No special tools needed here: a soft cloth will help remove all grime and dirt without damaging countertops.

Can you use Dawn and vinegar on natural stone?

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.

Can I use Dawn dish soap on quartz?

If you have a quartz countertop, you should be able to use Dawn Dish Soap without any issues. However, if you notice any discoloration or staining, you might need to switch to another brand of dish soap.

Can you use magic eraser on stone countertops?

Do Not Use On Granite or Marble. If you have soft surface countertops like granite or marble, step away from the magic eraser. You can use them on laminate, Corian, quartz, and other solid surface countertops, but do a spot check.

What is best to clean stone countertops?

If you can't find specialized cleaning solutions designed especially for natural stone, mild dish soap will do just fine. Wet a soft, preferably microfiber rag in warm water and gently rub the soap on the surface of the counter.

What cleaner is safe for natural stone?

Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Similar to any item cleaned in your home, an excessive concentration of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.

Can I use Dawn to clean my countertops?

With the daily grind, it can be easy to overlook some of the hard surfaces in your home that may need a good clean. With Dawn® Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray cleaning your appliances, countertops, backsplashes, and more can be quick and easy!

Is baking soda safe for natural stone?

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.

Can you put hot pans on stone countertops?

The short answer is “yes, but you probably shouldn't.” Because of granite's heat tolerance, you can take a hot pan directly out of the oven and put it directly on your countertop. Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly.

How often should you seal stone countertops?

As a general rule of thumb, we recommend resealing every 2-3 years. While some experts recommend sealing granite annually, most in the industry agree that granite can simply be sealed as needed. However, due to granite's high natural porosity, it's important not to go too long between sealings.

Do stone countertops need to be sealed?

Why Do Stone Countertops Need Sealing? Natural stone material such as granite and marble is porous, and if left unsealed, will allow liquids to seep in and cause damage. Keep in mind that the more porous the stone, the more susceptible it is to liquid damage and stains.

How do you clean and shine stone countertops?

Clean your natural stone countertop with a mild kitchen cleaner.
  1. Make a solution of warm water and mild dish soap. ...
  2. Dip a soft cloth into the solution and wring it out until just damp.
  3. Wipe the countertop in small circular motions with light to medium pressure.
  4. If you encounter bits of dried-on food, apply more pressure.

How do you clean solid stone countertops?

Using a sponge, warm water, and mild soap specifically meant for limestone materials will also effectively clean the surface of your countertop. Just be sure to rinse the countertop of any soap, as the residue will attract more dirt over time, and may even create a film that makes the counter appear duller.

How do you make stone countertops shine?

To put a shine on your granite, pour a little cooking oil on a soft cleaning cloth and wipe it across the countertop. Buff it gently. This makes the counter a little bit stain-resistant and gives it a glossy shine. Even if you know how to clean countertops correctly, your granite will need to be resealed periodically.

Is it OK to use Windex on quartz countertops?

Windex is considered a base and has a pretty high pH level, which means it could be damaging to quartz. Some cleaners say it's okay to use in small quantities, while others warn against it. For the safest and most sure option to keeping your quartz clean, skip Windex and opt for a mild cleaner like dish soap.

What cleaner is bad for quartz?

Scrubbing too hard can leave a dull surface or cause superficial scratches. Oven cleansers, grill cleaners, paint removers, dishwashing detergent, and other high pH cleaners should not be used on quartz surfaces.

Is soft scrub safe on quartz?

Quartz countertop care is remarkably simple. Just wipe the surface with water and mild soap or vinegar regularly. If you need to do more stringent cleaning (say, to remove stains), you can use Soft Scrub's gel cleaner, which contains bleach. Outside of that, you don't need to do much else.

Can you use Windex on natural stone?

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.

Can you use comet on natural stone?

Clean all stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild dishwashing detergent and warm water. Rinse the surface thoroughly after cleaning and dry with a soft cloth. Never use abrasive cleaners, such as Comet or Soft Scrub. These cleaners could scratch or dull the surface of the stone.

Does vinegar discolor stone?

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.

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