Do it yourself household cleaners have increased in popularity. Many homeowners mix up concoctions meant to kill germs, remove grime, and keep the surfaces in their homes clean. While there are many reasons people choose to create these household cleaners, in some cases, a DIY solution could cause more harm than good.
A quick search of the Internet will bring up all kinds of DIY stone cleaners. However, many of these cleaners contain ingredients that could damage your beautiful stone surfaces, including countertops, backsplashes, floors, and more. Here are a few reasons you shouldn’t try to make your own DIY stone cleaner.
1. Potential Damage
Harsh chemicals and acid can wreak havoc on your natural stone countertops. Bleach, ammonia, and even vinegar can be too much for natural stone. Most DIY cleaning solutions contain these harsh ingredients or hydrogen peroxide or soap. All of these cleaning agents can damage the stone.
Acidic or alkaline cleaners and harsh chemicals can cause etching, staining, or other damage to the surface of the stone. Unsafe cleaners can also dull the finish on your stone. Over time, using improper chemicals on natural stone can compromise the structural integrity of the stone.
2. Ineffective Clean
When you are cleaning surfaces like kitchen counters, you want to make sure that your cleaner is properly disinfecting the area. Potentially harmful bacteria can live on the surface of your countertops and floors, and you want to make sure that you are killing these dangerous microbes. When you use DIY cleaners, you could be leaving behind dangerous bacteria that could cause illnesses for you and your family.
3. Potential to Remove Sealant
Many natural stone surfaces require a sealant to protect the stone. Acidic ingredients in cleaners can erode the sealant, leaving your beautiful granite, marble, or quartzite countertops vulnerable to damage. Once this protective layer has been removed, cleaners can penetrate the stone and cause extensive damage, some of which is irreparable.
Read our article about the worst cleaners for natural stone countertops.
What Makes a Good Stone Cleaner?
Purchasing a good stone cleaner isn’t as easy as it may seem. While there are many different options on the market, not all of these products are created equally. In fact, not all products are made for the same use. There are three main types of stone cleaners:
- Stain lifters: These cleaners are made to lift stains out of the stone. Stain lifters can remove oil, grease, food, and dirt stains.
- Sealer enhancers: Sealer enhancers are meant to remove stains from your natural stone with also adding an extra layer of sealant to the surface to prevent future stains.
- Daily cleaners: Daily cleaners are the best option for regular cleaning of your stone surfaces. These cleaners are gentle enough to use daily while still offering a deep clean with disinfectants.
What Should You Use to Clean Stone Surfaces?
Natural stone cleaners can be found at all major big box, supermarket, and grocery stores, but not all cleaners are created equally. At Rock Doctor, our Granite and Quartz Cleaner uses a non-abrasive, non-acidic formula that deeply cleans natural stone countertops and surfaces while being safe enough for daily use.
Rock Doctor Granite and Quartz Cleaner contains no harsh chemicals that can damage or dull the finish on your beautiful stone surfaces. This unique formula also leaves no residue or streaking behind, leaving your countertops as shiny as the day they were installed in your home.
To further protect your surfaces, Rock Doctor also offers a polish and sealer to ensure that your natural stone stays in tip-top shape.
Learn more about Rock Doctor Granite and Quartz Cleaner at rockdoctor.com.
