When you decide to switch to natural stone, you can’t use the same cleaning products you used to clean your laminate or ceramic tile countertops or floors – they are too harsh. Instead, you’ll have to use natural products (pH-neutral) that are specifically made for natural stone, or gentle cleaning solutions that are formulated for natural stone.
If you happen to have grout lines between your natural stone, you’ll have to be just as careful to use the right products, so you won’t etch the stone.
For deeper grime, stained grout, dull areas, or worn finishes, it’s best to call a professional tile and stone restoration service.
Simple pantry products can often help with light grout cleaning, but not every household ingredient is safe for natural stone. The wrong cleaner can dull the finish, cause etching, or weaken the stone’s protective seal.
To keep your stone looking beautiful while safely refreshing the grout, follow these natural stone grout-cleaning tips.
Don’t Use Bleach
You may see this warning often when cleaning clothing but it can also apply to cleaning your tile grout. While it may seem like the most logical choice to eliminate germs and brighten dirty tile grout, it may destroy your natural tile.
Granite, marble, and other natural tile don’t respond well to harsh alkaline cleaning agents such as bleach. Not only will using it on your grout etch the surrounding stone, it could also break down the polymers in the grout making the grout become powdery and ineffective with time.
Also, since bleach has a slightly yellow color, white grout can start to look yellow over time.
Avoid Acidic Cleaning Agents
Acidic cleaning agents are equally as detrimental to natural stone as bleach. Vinegar and citrus may be great cleaning and disinfecting agents for porcelain, but they are terrible options for natural stone. The calcium carbonate in most natural stones reacts with the acidic cleaning agents eating away at the finish causing your tile to look dull or etched.
Use Safer Options
If you want to use pantry or medicine cabinet items on your stone, here are some safe options.
Peroxide
If you need to eliminate stains and mildew in your grout, one option you’ll likely have in the house to help with cleaning is peroxide. It acts as a natural bleach and disinfectant. This cleaning solution will work on grout between most natural stone.
To ensure that it’s safe to use, test a smaller area before applying to larger portions of the grout. Pour some 3% peroxide into an opaque container and spray it in the grout lines in small areas. Allow it to sit for 5 to 8 minutes and wipe it clean. For more aggressive stains, consider using a soft bristle brush to help with cleaning.
Baking Soda
Another effective home solution is baking soda. Although it is slightly alkaline, its contents are safe for natural stone and works to break down the grease and grime in grout. Combine 3 parts baking soda with 1 part water to create a paste. Apply it for 5 to 8 minutes. As with the peroxide, work in small areas using a soft bristle brushes to deep clean. Rinse and repeat.
Prevention
The best way to keep your grout looking its best is to avoid letting it get dirty and grimy and the first place. Here are some ways to keep grout clean.
● Clean spills up immediately so they won’t stain the grout.
● Remove dirt particles regularly from grout on the floor or countertops before they mix with moisture using a hand vac or microfiber duster.
● Use the two bucket mopping method in which you clean with one bucket containing the cleaning solution and follow up with rinsing with clean, clear water. When rinse water looks cloudy, change it out for a fresh batch.
● Use an impregnating sealer to create a water and oil repellant barrier. Keep your grout resealed every six months.
When to Call Expert Tile and Stone Restoration Services
The best way to keep grout looking clean, bright, and long-lasting is to know when it’s time to call in the professionals. If your grout is deeply stained, discolored, crumbling, or difficult to clean with safe at-home methods, expert restoration can make a major difference without risking damage to your natural stone.
Restore-A-Floor in Brighton provides professional tile and stone restoration services, including deep cleaning, grout cleaning, color sealing, polishing, and natural stone care for residential and commercial surfaces.
Contact our Brighton location today!