Cleaning Stone Kitchen Countertops

Are you looking for answers to your "cleaning countertops" questions? Many people regularly perform searches on the Internet trying to find out how to clean their countertop. Naturally, they wonder if they should buy a product made for cleaning countertops or if any old cleaner will work. In addition to whether they should use cleaners for specific countertop materials, consumers also wonder if making a cleaner using a recipe is a better option. Therefore, we will take a look at each of these options and delve into what should be considered when contemplating each one.

Making Your Own Counter Cleaner

This option is one that some homeowners consider. In fact, you can find recipe after recipe online for mixing your own countertop cleaner. Phrases like, "homemade countertop cleaner" and "homemade countertop spray" will get you millions of suggestions. And some individuals choose to follow the recipe and use the mixture to clean all sorts of surfaces. But let's consider some potential downsides to this approach.

Chemistry Can Be Tricky

The first downside to making your own cleaners that we will consider is the chemistry involved. Just because it is a common household item does not mean that it is safe to mix with other household items. In fact, some common household items can even be deadly if mixed together. On the other hand, some common household items basically result in an ineffective solution when they are mixed together. The point is this, chemistry can be tricky. We cannot see all that is happening when we mix two things together; and that means we could get a reaction that we don't anticipate.

Each Kitchen Counter Material Is Unique

Another drawback to mixing your own countertop cleaners is that each material is different from the others and requires different treatment. In fact, even two countertops that are made from natural stone may require differing treatments depending on composition. Kitchen counters could be made from any of the following materials:

Natural Stone Materials

• Granite
• Marble
• Limestone
• Quartzite
• Soapstone

Natural Non-stone Materials

• Bamboo
• Wood
• Cork

Engineered Stone Surfaces

• Concrete
• Quartz
• Sintered Stone
• Porcelain
• Solid Surface

Engineered Non-stone Surfaces

• Metal
• Laminate

Since each countertop surface is different, it is important to determine exactly what kind of surface you have and find out what its requirements are before you use a homemade cleaner.

So even though you can find many interesting recipes for do-it-yourself cleaners on the Internet, for many, many consumers it is not the wisest way to clean your surfaces. Because of this, some choose a different method of selecting a countertop cleaner. We'll consider that method now.

Using A Cleaner That's Handy

Not everyone chooses to make their own cleaner. Some just use whatever is there. Whether it is window cleaner, multi-surface cleaner, or even some liquids designed to clean laundry. And just like there are potential pitfalls with making your own cleaner, just using whatever is handy can be ineffective at the least and troublesome at the most. Why is that so?

Just using whatever cleaner you have around the house is often times detrimental to the appearance of your surface; especially if your surface is stone. This is often documented in the care and maintenance guides provided by the manufacturers of engineered stone. One of the reasons given is that using the wrong kind of cleaners can leave a very thin film that over time builds up on the surface; making the surface look dull or hazy. Since this type of "damage" is not drastic, but deteriorates the appearance over time, it can be tough to recognized and identify.

So, using the cleaner that is handy will not produce a problem that is noticeable right after you use it. However, a few years of using the cleaner on the surface could mean that you suddenly notice one day that your countertop is not as bright and shiny as it once was. By then it is too late.

Because of the potential pitfalls of just using whichever cleaner is handy, or making your own countertop cleaner, many consumers select a method of choosing a cleaner that they find more reliable and effective. Let's consider it now.

Cleaner Made for Your Countertop Material

The third alternative that we will discuss is, not buying ingredients to make your own or buying more of what you already buy for cleaning other things. Rather, we will consider the benefits of choosing formulated cleaners designed to perform the best on your countertop material.

There are a number of surface cleaners available for cleaning counters. Each specific cleaner is formulated to remove certain kinds of dirt, grease, grime, and other substances that can make your surfaces unsightly. When you purchase a cleaner designed for the surface you have, it brings the following pros:

• No mixing, measuring, and wondering. You simply use as directed for best results.
• The formula has proven to be effective for the material it is designed to clean.
• When purchased from the proper supplier, you can get additional information and tips about the cleaner.

The benefits above highlight the fact that each of the three cleaner selection methods we have discussed bring with it pros and cons. They are:

With all of the things we have considered in mind, you may have chosen to use a specific cleaner for a particular material. If so, we offer resources here on our website to help you learn about what to use for various surfaces. Here is a list of areas of information:

• Cleaning Information
• Natural Stone Care
• Quartz Care
• Granite Care
• Marble Care
• Travertine Care
• Limestone Care
• Sintered Stone & Porcelain Care

Of course, what you choose to use for cleaning your countertop surfaces is entirely up to you. However, knowing what the benefits and drawbacks are of using various cleaning solutions is good information to have.