The Full Guide to Cleaning Home Surfaces!

The Full Guide to Cleaning Home Surfaces!
With so many different surfaces in the house - Stone, wood, steel and many more, it's impossible to just but one cleaning liquid and hope for the best, because different surfaces require different cleaning methods, and using the wrong one might damage a surface that is too expensive to replace. That is why we have prepared for you this comprehensive list of cleaning instructions, for any surface you may need!
	Butcher Block Use: A few drops of mild detergent, such as dishwashing liquid, combined with hot water. If the surface is coated with polyurethane, follow the instructions for the cleaning of wooden cabinets. Tools: cloth or sponge. Tips: After cleaning, rinse with plain water and dry the surface. Water remaining on the surface will stain. Also, replace boards with cracks, because germs can build up in the grooves. For disinfection, use a slice of lemon or bleach, since it is a surface that comes into contact with food. To remove tough stains: Unlike most surfaces, butcher block can be professionally scraped.
	Ceramics Use: for ceramic tiles used isopropyl alcohol. Fill a bucket with one cork of alcohol and dilute in 4 liters of water. Tools: cloth or rag. Tips: Wash with water and a clean cloth. Avoid oil-based soaps or ammonia that will turn the tiles yellow, avoid vinegar as well. To remove tough stains: using a knife or spatula, scrape away the toughest stains. Then use a damp nylon Velcro, dipped in liquid detergent to remove the stains.
	Marble Use: A few drops of hot water with dishwashing liquid. Tools: cloth, sponge or mop. Tips: sweep or vacuum the floors regularly, stone surfaces are can easily be scratched by gravel. Rinse the countertop with a clean, soft cloth. If there are cracks in the stone, seal them every two years to three years in order to prevent deep stains. Avoid harsh cleaning methods, those based on lemon or vinegar. To remove tough stains: Use a special cloth available at stone dealers.
	Stainless Steel  Use: Four tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in a liter of water. Tools: soft cloth. Tips: Wipe the surface with a dry cloth. If acidic liquids like lemon or tomato spill on the surface, wipe immediately. Avoid using abrasive materials or bleach, that can damage the surface. To remove tough stains: Remove tough stains with a damp cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol and then leave to dry.
	Mirror Use: Plain water. Tools: Microfiber cloth. Tips: For very dirty mirrors, use a solution of equal amounts vinegar and warm water, and then wipe the mirror with a squeegee. Keep the water and vinegar away from the mirror edges, because moisture can seep to the back and cause damage. To remove tough stains: Most severe marks come out using a crumpled newspaper and some vinegar.
	Vanilla flooring Use: One and a half cup of ammonia on 4 liters of water. Tools: cloth or mop. Tips: Sweep or vacuum your floor frequently. Avoid cleaning materials that contain detergents or are wax based. These may damage the waxy glossy finish applied by the manufacturer. Remove tough stains: Scrub the surface with Velcro nylon or a soft and damp nylon brush and, dipped in a solution of ammonia or isopropyl alcohol.
	Laminated Plastic and Formica Cabinets Use: A few drops of multi-purpose cleaning spray. Tools: Damp sponge, cloth or nylon brush. Tips: Wash the surface with a clean, damp cloth after wiping with a multi-purpose liquid. Do not use a wet and dripping cloth near the seams of the surface or use abrasive materials like steel wool or stiff brushes may, as they may scratch the coating. Remove tough stains: Use multi - purpose cleaning liquid. Let it stand for a few minutes and then wipe with a damp cloth.
	Linoleum Flooring Use: One cup of vinegar to 4 liters of water. Tools: A well drained cloth or mop. Tips: Sweep or vacuum frequently. Do not use a wet rag, as water may seep from the seams and cause a break. Do not use soap-based detergents, wax-based products or harsh cleaning products that may erode and scratch the flooring. To remove tough stains: Rub with isopropyl alcohol and a cloth. For greasy spots use a damp cloth and ammonia.
	Limestone Use: A few drops of hot water with dishwashing liquid. Tools: cloth, sponge or mop. Tips: Sweep or vacuum frequently, because stone surfaces are susceptible to damage from sand and gravel. Rinse the limestone with a soft clean cloth. If there are cracks in the stone, seal them every two years - three to prevent deep stains. Avoid abrasive cleaners that may erode and scratch the stone, as well as ammonia or bleach that may dull the surface. To remove tough stains: Use a special stone available at stone dealers.
	Granite Use: A few drops of hot water with dishwashing liquid. Tools: rag, soaked a rag. Tips: Sweep or vacuum frequently, because stone surfaces are susceptible to damage by sand and gravel. Rinse the granite with a soft clean cloth. If there are cracks in the stone, sealed every two years - three to prevent deep stains. Avoid abrasive cleaners that may erode and scratch the stone, as well as ammonia or bleach can dull the surface. To remove tough stains: use a special stone dealers available.
	Cork flooring Use: A few drops of dishwashing liquid or a multi-purpose liquid with warm water. Tools: Rag, sponge or a cloth well wrung out. Tips: Sweep or vacuum frequently, as sand and gravel can damage the pavement. Never use a damp cloth as water and other liquids may damage the floor. To remove tough stains: Do a gentle polishing with a damp cloth and dishwashing liquid.
	Parquet (hardwood) flooring Use: A few drops of dishwashing liquid or a multipurpose spray cleaner with warm water. Tools: Well squeezed cloth, sponge or mop. Tip: Sweep or vacuum frequently to collect the sand. Do not use a wet rag, since water can damage the surface. Do not apply wax on the floor, or apply sprays and oils for wooden furniture, since they will make the floor slippery. To remove tough stains: Rub gently with velcro nylon dipped in liquid detergent.
	Porcelain coating on cast iron Use: A few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water. Tools: a soft cloth or sponge. Tips: Do not use eroding pads, abrasive cleaners or wire brushes. Dirt can settle in the scratches. To remove tough stains: Scrub the surface with a soft nylon brush and multi-purpose cleaning liquid or dip the brush in drinking soda with water.
	Slate floor Use: A few drops of hot water with dishwashing liquid. Tools: Cloth, soft sponge or mop. Tips: Sweep or vacuum frequently, because stone surfaces are susceptible to damage by sand and gravel. Rinse the slate floor with a soft clean cloth. If there are cracks in stone they should be sealed every two-three years to prevent deep stains. Avoid using harsh cleaning methods, especially those based on lemon or vinegar. To remove tough stains: Scrub the surface with ammonia and water (half a cup of ammonia on 4 liters of water).
	Soap stone Use: A few drops of dishwashing liquid or general cleaning liquid in warm water. Tools: A soft cloth or sponge. Tips: Scrub the surface with mineral oil every two weeks during the first year to help the oxygen in the stone toe disperse evenly. Then, do it every two months. To remove tough stains: Soap stone resists water, chemicals and acids, and so rarely gets stained. Small scratches can be removed with fine sandpaper.
	Wooden cabinets Use: A few drops of dishwashing liquid or a multi-purpose cleaner with warm water. Tools: A Well squeezed cloth or sponge. Tips: Using Scotch or brush can cause damage, be sure to be gentle when cleaning the wood surface. To remove tough stains: To remove grease rub gently with a solution of dishwashing liquid and warm water. Wipe gently with a cloth.
	Glass Use: plain water. Tools: microfiber cloth. Tips: For very dirty windows, use vinegar and hot water at a ratio of 1:1 and a mop. To reduce the stains that occur during drying, avoid cleaning them on a hot day. To remove tough stains: The worst marks can be taken off using a crumpled newspaper and vinegar.

Submitted by: Cedric F.