Specialty Products You Shouldn’t Ignore – Marble Cleaner, Concrete Cleaner, Vinyl Siding Cleaner, Stainless Steel Cleaner

April 26th, 2019

There are many different areas and surfaces of the home that need proper cleaning to ensure the space is sanitary and habitable for residents to spend time in each day. When it comes to cleaning, it’s important to use the right products to protect various materials from damage and also effectively remove dirt or grime that has accumulated. If you want to improve your cleaning regimen, there are a few specialty products you shouldn’t ignore.

Why These Kinds of Products are Important

Specialty cleaning products are necessary to use because they’re specifically designed for certain materials that are commonly present in residential homes. From stainless steel to granite, there are valuable materials that can easily become damaged if the wrong type of cleaning product is used on the surface, which can affect their value and appeal over time. Not only do the specialty products reduce the risk of damage, but they also clean more effectively with the ingredients that are included.

Marble Cleaner

Marble is known as a material that is beautiful, but is also high-maintenance, especially when used in the bathroom and kitchen. When stains form from food or beverages, it’s important to mix five tablespoons with dish soap and one cup of baking soda or flour. The paste can be applied directly onto the stain and covered with plastic wrap. Allow it to sit overnight before rinsing it off with warm water. Marble cleaning products are also available on the market and don’t allow residue or film to form on the surface once it’s sprayed. It’s ideal to use on a daily basis and often contains natural, non-toxic ingredients.

Concrete Cleaner

Concrete cleaner requires special cleaning to remove mold and dirt that can settle into the porous material and leave behind deep stains. Cleaning concrete outdoors is most effective by renting a pressure washer that can be used with a biodegradable detergent to avoid harming the environment.

If you have concrete in other areas of the home like the floors or countertops, you can clean the material with a scrub brush and detergent. You’ll need to scrub the detergent onto tough spots. A mixture of ammonia and hydrogen peroxide will also prove to be effective and is a safe alternative to other cleaning products.

For garages where oil stains are likely to be present, a pressure washer won’t prove to be effective. Instead, opt for scrubbing the affected areas with TCP before rinsing it with a hose. Muriatic acid is also a great cleaning product for concrete and will lift smears of dried mortar and grout. The product should only be used as a last resort and while wearing protective gear to avoid contact.

Sealing the concrete is an ideal option to prevent stains from forming in the future, which will make the surface easier to keep clean on a consistent basis. A masonry primer or topcoat can be applied if old stains are present.

Vinyl Siding Cleaner

Vinyl siding is present on the exterior of many types of buildings and can become covered in pollen, bird droppings, and rust. Although the material may cover a large surface area, it can be easy to clean throughout the year with the right products and techniques used. A cleaning solution can be made at home with a mixture of 70 percent water and 30 percent white vinegar, which will remove light mold and mildew stains. If deeper stains are present, create a mixture of one quart of liquid laundry bleach, one gallon of water, two-thirds cup of powdered household cleaner, and one-third cup of powdered laundry detergent. Use a soft-bristle brush to scrub the grime while starting at the bottom and working your way up to prevent streaks from forming. You’ll need to rinse the solution and dirt off as you work on different areas of the house to ensure it dries clean.

Simple Green is an ideal product to use when cleaning vinyl siding, especially on painted wood, stucco, and terracotta roof tiles. It’s a non-toxic biodegradable concentrated formula that is ideal to use manually or with a pressure washer. Other types of household chemicals can also be applied directly onto stains where rust, crayon, bubble gum, grass, and topsoil is present. Consider using Super Iron Out and Instant Rust out to thoroughly clean the vinyl material without causing damage.

Stainless Steel Cleaner

Stainless steel cleaner is ideal to use on appliances to remove dirt or fingerprints. It is more effective than glass cleaning products without leaving streaks behind.

You can also make your own stainless steel cleaner with water and a mild detergent. If rust is present, apply a mixture of baking soda and detergent and scrub it out with a non-abrasive pad before rinsing it off with warm water. Avoid using oven cleaners, chlorine bleach, or steel wool on stainless steel.

How to Properly Use Them

Marble cleaner requires using a soft cloth to prevent the natural stone from becoming scratched. A sealant can also be applied to the marble once a month to protect it from stains. A concrete cleaning product is most effective when used with a hard brush or push broom. Test a small spot on the concrete before cleaning the entire surface. Vinyl siding cleaner is most effective with a large scrub brush while brushing against the grain to remove dirt and grime that has settled.

When using stainless steel cleaner, it’s important to always wipe in the direction of the grain from the top to the bottom of the appliance. You can restore the shine of the material by applying food-grade mineral oil or lemon oil if you decide not to use a stainless steel polish.

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