Keep your kitchen or bathroom looking as good as on installation day
With the right cleaning methods for counters and tiles.
You've invested in your kitchen, bath or whole house remodel. Now the tough part of maintaining the new and sleek appearance of your home begins.
Here are a few tips on how to clean different surfaces that are sure to make you reconsider your current methods.
Slate
For natural stone like slate, it's advisable to apply a penetrating sealer to countertops and slate floors every two years to prevent deep stains.
Clean slate tiles with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water applied to the slate surface with a soft cleaning tool, like a mop, sponge or soft cloth.
For tough stains: Clean soap scum with a half-cup of ammonia per 1 gallon of water.
Stay away from: Abrasive cleaners, vinegar and citrus cleaners.
Granite
A surprising number of people still clean their granite countertops with a combination of vinegar and warm water. Natural stones like granite will require sealing upon installation, so it's important to talk to your professional installer regarding their suggested sealer brands.
"Once the surface has been sealed, daily cleaning is as simple as mopping with straight warm water."
For tough stains: For dirt and spills, use a stone-care cleanser that's the correct pH with water. Don't forget to read the cleanser label for the correct dilution ratios.
Stay away from: Bleach and acidic cleansers.
Soapstone
For a surface that's soft and nonporous, soapstone is durable, won't show stains because of its dark appearance, and is beloved by people who cook because the surface is an excellent heat insulator. Soapstone, although more expensive, makes for a beautiful surface alternative to granite due to its silky look and appearance.
Soapstone upkeep is simple: Just wipe the surface with a soft sponge or cloth and a few drops of dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleanser and warm water. During the first year of installation, it's recommended that you rub the soapstone surface with mineral oil every couple of weeks to help the stone oxidize (darken) evenly; oil can be applied every two months after that for maintenance.
For tough stains: Soapstone resists water, chemicals and acids, so staining isn't as problematic as scratches. Soapstone scratches and nicks can be removed with fine sandpaper.
Stay away from: Scouring and abrasive cleansers, because they will scratch the soapstone surface, and alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.
Marble
Marble surfaces take some care and sealing, making them a challenge in homes with kids; acidic stains from breakfast staples like coffee and orange juice will be difficult to clean if not blotted up as soon as the spill occurs. Blot the spill or stain with a soft cloth or sponge and use water to rinse away any remaining spilled liquid. Rinse the soft cloth or sponge with hot water and wring it out thoroughly to remove most of the excess water, which can also seep through the porous marble and cause a permanent stain. Wipe the surface dry with a chamois; don't allow it to air dry.
For tough stains: For any marble stain, it's important to wipe the surface as soon as the spill happens. Ask your marble installer or home improvement specialist for a recommended marble poultice.
Stay away from: Abrasive cleansers, vinegar and citrus cleansers.
Ceramic
Before cleaning ceramic tiles, pick up loose dirt particles by sweeping or vacuuming prior to mopping. Use a soft bristle brush or vacuum floor attachment without a beater bar so the floor surface isn't scratched by the wrong attachment. After you remove the loose particles, the floor can be mopped with warm water. For tougher dirt and spills, mop with a neutral-pH cleaning solution. Many grout and sealant manufacturers have neutral-pH cleaning solutions made specifically for ceramic tile cleaning. Rinse the surface with warm water after cleaning.
For tough stains: Use a scraper to remove stubborn debris. A nylon scrubbing pad dampened with dishwashing liquid can be used to remove grout stains; apply grout sealer twice a year to prevent stains.
Stay away from: Bleach and other acidic cleansers, which discolor or fade grout joints over time. Also avoid oil soaps and ammonia, which will yellow grout, and vinegar, which will damage it.