COVID-19 has inspired, if not forced, us to adopt a new standard of cleanliness, both in our homes and public spaces. As public spaces reopen, cleanliness is on the mind of both businesses and their patrons. Using a cleaner that is safe on tile and stone, while still killing germs is crucial.
At Rock Doctor, we want to share tips for maintaining the surfaces in your life. Whether you are cleaning your home’s kitchen and bathrooms or are tasked with ensuring public spaces are up to par.
Cleaning and Maintaining Tile and Stone Floors
Kitchen and bathroom floors, both in the home and public spaces, see a lot of traffic, which means they should be a top priority when it comes to maintaining cleanliness. Proper cleaning will extend the life of tile and stone floors, as well. However, the proper cleaning techniques will depend on the material from which the floor is made.
Many people clean flooring with a household cleaner, but these substances can quickly lead to residue buildup if they are not rinsed thoroughly, especially on floors made of natural stone. If you have flooring made of slate, marble, limestone, travertine, or sandstone, you will need to make sure you are using a neutral cleaner with a pH of six to eight, with seven being perfectly neutral.
Neutral cleaners do not leave behind any residue, meaning the stone surface will stay cleaner longer. Any cleaning products with a pH of higher than eight are considered aggressive agents and may cause damage to the surface.
If you have tile flooring, grout becomes a factor in proper cleaning techniques, too. Since grout sits below the tile surface, it can be easy for grime and residue to collect in the grout joints. Grout sealant can help prevent this, but It is a good idea to get a narrow grout brush to tackle these hard to reach areas.
Tips for Regular Flooring Maintenance
We pick up a lot of dirt, debris, and germs on our shoes, which we bring into our homes and throughout all the buildings we enter. Although we do not spend a lot of time touching floors, it is easy for germs to transfer from the floors to other surfaces, as well. For this reason, it is important for floors to be clean. Here are some extra tips for maintaining flooring:
- Substitute a broom for a dust mop.
- Remove dry soils before they become wet and more difficult to remove.
- Use an appropriate cleaner, such as Rock Doctor Tile and Grout Cleaner, for natural stone tiles.
- Remove initial cement debris after installation within acidic products rather than just water.
- Clean with neutral products (pH of seven) daily or weekly, depending on traffic frequency.
- Use pressure tools when restoration is needed.
These tips can apply to floors in both residential and commercial buildings.
Cleaning and Maintaining Countertops
Countertops are one of the most frequently touched surfaces in a home. As restaurants, offices, and other public spaces begin to open, there will be an increase in the amount of traffic that these surfaces see in commercial buildings again, as well. Cleaning countertops is not only crucial to killing germs and sanitizing surfaces, but it is also important for maintaining these surfaces, especially when they are made of natural stone.
Many people clean natural stone countertops with all-purpose cleaners or disinfectant wipes. Unfortunately, these cleaners usually contain acidic chemicals that are harmful to natural stone and eat away at the sealant that is meant to protect the surface. If you have granite, quartz, quartzite, or marble countertops in your kitchen or bathroom, be sure to use a cleaner specifically designed for natural stone.
Tips for Regular Maintenance on Countertops
Kitchen and bathroom countertops can be a haven for germs and can become dirtied by everyday use. We want to share some tips for ensuring these surfaces are clean and germ-free.
- Try to keep countertops free of clutter.
- Clean up spills immediately.
- Wipe down countertops every day and multiple times per day when necessary.
- Use a natural stone cleaner, such as Rock Doctor Granite and Quartz Cleaner.
- Polish your countertops every week.
- Reseal the natural stone every six months to a year.
Check out a full list of Rock Doctor’s natural stone cleaning products by visiting our website rockdoctor.com. You can also call us at (913) 894-0288.
