Vinegar On Marble and Graniteby Paula W.
QUESTIONMy question is my cleaning lady insists she can clean my marble bathroom countertops (and kitchen granite) with water and vinegar. I have refused to let her, especially on the marble. Am I correct? Thank you!ANSWER:Yes, you are correct. Vinegar will etch marble in a second. Etching is corrosion that will destroy the polish leaving a dull and light colored spot.Marble is sensitive to acidic substances like vinegar and to harsh cleaners like bleach, ammonia and most brand-name common household cleaners you see in the stores. You should only use products safe for cleaning marble & granite. Now, etching can be repaired on polished surfaces using SCP: Marble Polishing Paste if the wrong product is used or you spill wine, etc. Granite is not sensitive to acids and will not etch, but harsh chemicals and cleaners are still not recommended for granite countertop care because they can degrade sealers and cause excessive wear to the stone. Using a vinegar or bleach solution to clean up a particularly nasty mess like raw meat, fish, blood is okay on granite (marble never) when used sparingly. But then again, given the high "cleanability" of granite multiple cleanings with a granite/marble cleaning product will effectively remove unwanted bacteria. And of course, hot water and soap is effective against such bacteria, but you don't want to use soap regularly because residue will build up on the surface. So, the short answer is... you're right... make sure to use only products made specifically for marble maintenance and granite care.... no vinegar! Good Luck, Ryan P.S. Get all the facts, answers, explanations and simple solutions with step-by-step instructions for any issue, problem or question with our Granite & Marble Maintenance Manuals.
|
