You have invested in your kitchen, bathtub or entire house remodel. The difficult part of keeping up the new and sleek appearance of your house begins. Kitchen and bathroom designer Kayron Brewer shares a significant reminder to everybody: Take good care of your investment by utilizing the correct cleaning methods and materials from one. If you have a cleaning person to assist you, “examine your cleaning products and methods together,” she says. “Don’t assume that they understand the right cleaning method or merchandise for a specific surface.”
Listed below are a few tips on the best way best to clean unique surfaces that are certain to make you reconsider your current methods.
Christine Suzuki, ASID, LEED AP
Slate
consumer Melissa Johnson says this debate on that she had slate floors in the kitchen and dining room that looked great but were a “disaster to wash” because of the rock’s many nooks and jagged surfaces.
For natural stone such as slate, it’s a good idea 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 put on the slate surface using a gentle cleaning tool, such as a mop, sponge or soft cloth.
For tough stains: sterile soap scum using a half-cup of ammonia per 1 gallon of water.
Stay away from: Abrasive cleaners, vinegar and citrus cleaners.
Gast Architects
Granite
An astonishing amount of people still wash their granite countertops with a combination of vinegar and warm water. consumer Poorgirl said it best: “I would not suggest that you use vinegar on your gems; it’s acidic and will consume your shiny finish punctually.” Natural stones such as granite will require sealing upon setup, so it’s important to speak with your professional installer in their suggested sealer brands.
Designer Kayron Brewer adds, “Once the surface was sealed, daily cleaning is as straightforward as mopping with directly warm water.”
For tough stains: For spills and dirt, use a stone-care cleaner that is the right pH using water. Don’t forget to read the cleaner tag for the right dilution ratios.
Stay away from: Bleach and allergies that are acidic.
Meredith Heron Design
Soapstone
For a surface that is soft and nonporous, soapstone is durable, will not show stains because of its dark appearance, and is beloved by men and women who cook since the surface is an excellent heat insulator. In accordance with AJD Interiors, soapstone, though more costly, makes for a gorgeous surface alternative to granite as a result of the silky appearance and appearance.
Soapstone maintenance is easy: Just wash the surface using a soft sponge or cloth and a few drops of dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleaner and warm water. During the first period of setup, it’s encouraged that you rub the soapstone surface with mineral oil every couple of weeks to assist the stone oxidize (darken) evenly; oil could be applied every two months after that for upkeep.
For tough stains: Soapstone contains water, acids and compounds, so staining is not as problematic as scratches. Soapstone scratches and nicks could be removed with fine sandpaper.
Stay away from: Scouring and abrasive cleaners, since they’ll scratch the soapstone surface, and alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.
Chelsea Atelier Architect, PC
Granite
One of the most popular kitchen counter substances on is marble (especially Carrera marble), but as designer Anne DeCocco says, marble Isn’t for everybody. ” [Granite] is a softer stone than granite, and it stains and scratches readily because of its porous nature. … But honestly, I like substances that era and show wear. If you do not, then you are not a candidate for marble counters.”
Granite surfaces take some care and sealing, making them a challenge in houses with kids; acidic stains out of breakfast staples such as coffee and orange juice is going to be difficult to clean if not blotted up when the spill happens. Blot the spill or stain using a soft cloth or sponge and use water to rinse any remaining spilled liquid. Scrub the soft cloth or sponge with hot water and wring it out thoroughly to eliminate the majority of the excess water, which may even seep through the porous marble and create a permanent stain. Wipe the surface dry with a chamois; do not let it air dry.
For tough stains: for virtually any marble blot, it’s important to wash the surface as soon as the spill occurs. Consult your marble installer or home improvement specialist for a recommended marble poultice.
Stay away from: Abrasive cleansers, vinegar and citrus snacks.
Ceramic
Before cleaning ceramic tiles, then pick up loose dirt particles by sweeping or vacuuming prior to mopping. Use a soft bristle brush or vacuum floor attachment with no beater bar in order that the floor surface is not scratched by the wrong attachment. Once you eliminate the loose particles, then the floor may be mopped with warm water. For tougher dirt and spills, mop using a neutral-pH cleaning alternative. Many grout and sealant producers have neutral-pH cleaning solutions made specifically for ceramic tile cleaning. Scrub 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 may be used to remove grout stains; apply grout sealer twice annually to avoid stains.
Stay away from: Bleach and other acidic cleansersthat discolor or fade grout joints with time. Also avoid oil soaps and ammonia, which will yellowish grout, and vinegar, which will harm it.
More:
How to Care for Your Countertops
10 Alternatives to Granite Countertops
Alternatives to Granite Countertops, Part II
Alternatives to Granite Countertops, Part III
