Natural Cleaners for Kitchens and Bathrooms
One of the joys of a stone kitchen or bathroom is that it’s very low maintenance, which means you can reduce the numbers of harsh or toxic chemicals you use in your home. For daily maintenance, you may not need any cleaners at all!
Our expertise is in caring for stone, including stone kitchen work tops, stone floors and stone bathrooms. Natural cleaners are a popular alternative to harsh chemicals as they are often cheaper and less toxic.
No Cleaners at All
For dealing with dust, crumbs or a basic daily cleaning, a clean, non-treated dust mop or duster is ideal. Most stone used in the home is sealed and smooth, making it easy to wipe clean. It’s usually non-porous as well and some stones are naturally bacteria-resistant, which means that you don’t have to worry about the build up of germs. Outdoors, a stiff brush is usually preferred.
Just Add Water
For more stubborn marks, water is a good first step. Wiping down stone kitchen countertops with a damp cloth is usually sufficient for a daily clean, and super easy to boot! Stone tiles and paving slabs used outdoors can often be cleaned with a pressure washer, with or without soap.
Mild Soap or Dish Washing Liquid
While you can choose soaps that are packed with artificial ingredients, you can also get lovely natural ones too. Simple soaps that you’d use around the house or to wash dishes are great for cleaning stone kitchens and bathrooms. They’re a particularly good choice if you have a child dealing with allergies or sensitivities to chemicals as you can find a brand that works and use it everywhere.
Dealing with Germs
Sometimes you just want something a bit stronger, for example when cleaning up after a pet. Rubbing alcohol is a natural anti-bacterial, so you can use it to clean an area then rinse with water. To stop your home smelling like a hospital or a gin palace, combine it with some of your favourite soap or dish washing liquid.
DON’T Use Abrasive Cleaners
When tackling a stubborn mark, it’s tempting to reach for the big guns. Scouring powders or pads, steel wool and other abrasives can easily scratch, dull or damage the polish and finish of stone so should be avoided.
DON’T use Lemon Juice or Vinegar
Lemon juice and vinegar are great natural cleaners. They’re ideal for getting limescale off bathroom fittings – and this is why they’re terrible for stone. Limescale is calcium carbonate, which is what marble and limestone are made of. Any product that works on limescale can easily damage your stone. Acidic cleaners, even mild ones like lemon juice and vinegar, can dull the finish of polished stone if left to sit, so if you use them (or spill them) rinse the area with water immediately and thoroughly.
Take Care of your Chemicals
Many natural cleaners are foods (like lemon juice and vinegar) which means you don’t need to worry if your child or pet licks a counter top or gets into your cleaning supplies cupboard. However, not all natural cleaners are safe to ingest, so be sure you understand which are and which aren’t, and keep dangerous products out of reach of children and animals.
