Many installers have encountered horror stories from people using totally wrong cleaning agents or technology on a surface.  They sincerely want to be helpful so they recommend something which they believe is milder, not realizing that the “milder” agent can also cause damage.

One Great Example

An example of this is the recommendation to use dish-washing liquid or glass cleaner on stone, not realizing that these products normally have agents in them that cause etching of the stone on a microscopic level.  Many a granite counter feels constantly gritty thanks to this misinformation.  Another example is the use of vinegar and water, recommended by many installers for polyurethane wood floors, but no manufacturer I have spoken to about this has ever recommended that as a good solution.

So what is to be done?  When dealing with stone, use a stone-specific cleaner from a reputable manufacturer.  You can also use or distilled and deionized water with a good micro-fiber cloth or mop head.  Tap water can work but is not as effective a cleaner.  For other surfaces, check the written recommendation from the product manufacturer or the finish manufacturer.  At times, you may find that they do not even agree with each other.  Check with your cleaning professionals, especially one who is IICRC-certified.  That certification means they have attended a two-day class on these and other important cleaning topics and passed an objective 160-question exam.  Or you can ask us – we wrote the book.  (The Professional House Cleaning Technician’s Manual by Bruce Vance, David Kiser, et al.)

Author: Bruce Vance