Even if they have good intentions, a good number of homeowners use cleaning products that could damage their bathroom countertops, and that includes products like bleach.
While bleach and other such harsh ingredients are good for cleaning other areas of your home, they should definitely be avoided around natural stone countertops. In this article, you’ll find explanations on which substances to avoid and how to properly clean your bathroom countertops.
Cleaning Products to Avoid
Here’s a list of cleaning products that might work well around the rest of your home but should be avoided at all costs when it comes to your stone bathroom countertop:
- bleach
- Windex containing ammonia
- Clorox
- Pledge
- Lysol
- Formula 409
Let’s get into why those products should be avoided.
Bleach
Bleach is one of the worst products for cleaning natural stone countertops. It can cause extreme staining, and it can also cause the sealant to wear off much faster than it would normally. Bleach might be a great disinfectant, but it will dull the finish of your stone countertop—in extreme cases, it can even change the color entirely!
Windex (and Other Glass Cleaners)
You might think that if Windex can polish windows and mirrors, it should be able to polish your countertops too. But that is not the case. Much like bleach, Windex can cause extreme discoloration on natural stone. Glass cleaners of all types can create a dull finish on your countertop, and they might even dry in an uneven, patchy manner that isn’t anything close to attractive. Even more, they can strip the sealant off your granite in the same way that bleach can.
Clorox
Clorox is loved by many because it has the ability to clean almost anything—but the key word here is “almost.” Clorox should not be used on natural stone countertops because it contains ingredients that cause damage, like bleach and citric acid. You should not use Clorox wipes either because they contain the same ingredients.
Pledge
Pledge is known for its lemon scent, and that’s actually the reason why natural stone countertops don’t agree with it. That lemon scent contains citric acid, and that substance can cause damage to your natural stone countertop’s sealant.
Formula 409
Formula 409 is a common bathroom cleaning agent, but we do not recommend using it on your stone countertop because it can cause damage and discoloration. Much like the other items on this list, it should be avoided.
Cleaning Your Stone
So, what can be used to clean natural stone countertops? The answer is surprisingly simple. You can either buy a specialty granite/marble/etc. cleaner, or you can use mild dish soap, warm water, and a soft cloth.
For more information on how to clean your countertops the right way, get in touch with us at WS Granite Tops.
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