A clean home is a happy home, however, not all home cleaning hacks will make your natural stone happy. With the rise in popularity of DIY cleaning hacks, we explore the most popular and the impact that they could have on your stone surfaces.
More homeowners are turning to natural, homemade cleaners in a bid to reduce chemicals in their homes. Vinegar, lemon, and baking soda are often hailed by those sharing their own secret cleaning hacks. However, these homemade cleaning products can pose risks if you have natural stone in your home. Acidic substances like vinegar and lemon can cause etching and damage to sensitive surfaces such as marble, limestone, and travertine.
For stone surfaces, it’s best to stick with pH-neutral cleaners specifically designed for natural stone to preserve their beauty. These solutions are not only stone friendly but kind to the environment too. In particular, we recommend FILA.
FILA Solutions is renowned for its environmentally responsible approach to surface care, offering eco-friendly cleaning and sealing products for tiles, natural stones, and other surfaces. FILA emphasises sustainability in its manufacturing processes, using water-based formulations that are free from harmful solvents.
Microfiber cleaning cloths are an essential in any home cleaning kit. These cloths can trap dust, dirt, and bacteria without the need for chemical cleaners. They’re also safe to use on stone surfaces with the proper cleaning products. We recommend microfibre mops to our clients in the place of vacuuming a floor. It is quicker and kinder to the stone. The additional benefit of these mops, dusters and cloths is that they are reusable. This means that they contribute to a more sustainable approach to cleaning as well as helping your stone to last longer too. A truly sustainable home cleaning hack that we can get behind.
The power of steam is a popular cleaning hack, as it sanitises without chemicals. However, if you have stone floors or marble worktops, you should use your steam cleaner with caution or avoid it altogether. Most natural stones that are commonly used in a home are porous. Although the impregnating sealant applied when the stone is installed will protect it from everyday spillages, repeated steam cleaning will have an impact. This can lead to deep set staining that can be more difficult to remove.
We advise against using steam cleaners on stone surfaces, although they’re perfect for other areas of your home!
Popular cleaning hacks emphasise efficiency, sustainability, and using smarter tools to get the job done faster. When it comes to caring for your natural stone surfaces, a bit of expert advice can go a long way in protecting them. At Athena Stonecare, our goal is to maintain your stone’s beauty for years to come. As accredited members of the Stone Federation, we’re not only skilled in restoration but also equipped to provide specialised aftercare advice tailored to your natural stone.
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