Because of their natural appeal, homemade cleaning solutions featuring vinegar have become very popular. It is safer to use as an effective household cleaner in the sense that it isn’t as harmful as other substances such as butoxyethanol even though a significant amount of the white vinegar found on supermarket shelves these days is synthetic, which means it’s a carboxylic acid produced by a chemical process that happens to be very similar to the biological process. It makes perfect sense to use it as a healthy household cleaner since synthetic vinegar can be safely consumed, however, it should never come into contact with natural stone tile and grout and today, we at Silver State Floor Restoration would like to stress why.
Vinegar & Marble & Natural Stone Reaction
By chemical reactions that are part of geological processes, granite, marble and all other types of natural stone are formed. For the purpose of cutting, finishing, and installing, the blocks of natural stone are extracted from quarries. From there, they are simply waiting for the next chemical process to happen, and the last thing you need is the vinegar to be the catalyst of this reaction. The reaction could range from spotting and dulling to etching and staining that requires refinishing, depending on the type of vinegar and the condition of your stone.
Vinegar Acidity
Depending on their molecular composition, all substances can be basic or acidic. Against the pH scale from 1 to 14, the acidity of a substance is measured. A higher alkaline concentration that can cause burns, and the lower numbers represent high acidity. Making them acidic, the juice, wine, and vinegar all have pH levels that range between 2.5 and 7. As a result, this is more likely to cause a chemical reaction that may start with stripping off sealant, staining the surface of the stone, and etching through the pores.
Stain Remover for Granite & Natural Stone
In the kitchen, grape juice, vinegar, and wine spills are bound to occur. You can make a paste of baking soda and acetone to cover the affected area, then leave it in place for 24 hours and rinse with water should the stain begins to form because the protective seal wasn’t adequate. Also, you should make it a point to apply granite sealer, once you rinse off the paste and wipe the floor or counter surface. You should only use a granite cleaner that has been specifically formulated to clean natural stone instead of vinegar or common household cleaners. Make sure to apply sealant frequently in the event your stone counters in the kitchen are subject to heavy food prep volumes. Natural stone can be stained or damaged from substances other than vinegar. Though a strong seal can prevent it because virtually all food products can cause damage.
Tile & Grout Cleaning, Sealing & More in Aliante, Anthem, Desert Shores, Eldorado, Enterprise, Green Valley Ranch, Henderson, Inspirada, Mountain’s Edge, North LV, Peccole Ranch, Paradise, Providence, Rhodes Ranch, Seven Hills, Silverado Ranch, Spring Valley, Summerlin, Sunrise Manor, The Lakes, Tuscany Village & Las Vegas Nevada
It should be noted that vinegar won’t damage porcelain tiles as long as it’s used properly. When it comes to deep cleaning, polishing, and sealing, call in the professionals of Silver State Floor Restoration and let us help keep your Vegas Valley clean and preserved.
