Mark Atkins, director at LTP elaborates on the importance of using the appropriate aftercare products for surfaces
IT can be difficult to get consumers to invest in a good tile maintenance regime. Having made the initial tile purchase, any add-ons are often seen as just that; an opportunity for the retailer to bump the price up. Thankfully, the merit of sealers is now understood but when it comes to cleaning products, the question often arises: can’t you just use a standard household cleaner?
In the case of porcelain and ceramic, opting for a multi-purpose cleaner generally won’t cause too many issues – although grout, being porous, can be damaged by aggressive solutions. Natural stone, on the other hand, is not forgiving. Using a product that’s too acidic or too alkaline will damage the stone surface and strip out any protection – and this applies to seemingly natural solutions as well as ‘heavy duty’ products.
Let’s take cleaning hacks; some of the most popular are homemade mixtures of vinegar, lemon and soda. Vinegar and lemon are both very acidic, while soda has high alkaline levels. Most general tile cleaners fall into the alkaline category, and an AI overview today states that they’re ‘safe for most ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles.’ With regard to stone, this is incorrect and yet it’s the information that many consumers refer to time and time again. Surprisingly, many ‘toxic-free’ products can also cause damage to natural surfaces. Look closely at the label of a leading anti-bacterial all-purpose cleaner and it states that it isn’t suitable for natural stone because its acid-based. It’s always worth reading the small print.
Another common misconception is that an extra dose of the right product will do an even better job. But this can create problems. Using a stronger concentration may mean that a surface needs to be rinsed; if it isn’t, the residue may form a film on the surface, which could make future cleaning more difficult and potentially create a slip hazard.
Why pH-neutral is a strength, not a weakness
Natural stone should always be cleaned with a pH-neutral solution. And, pH-neutral doesn’t mean that a product is weak or ineffective. It just means that it’s fit for purpose. Quality cleaning products, like our own, are also more concentrated than supermarket cleaners, so they generally work out to be better value in the longer run. At the end of the day, it’s a very small investment to protect a large investment – and one we need to shout about to help educate consumers.
Mark Atkins
LTP director | 01823 666213 | info@ltp-online.co.uk | www.ltp-online.co.uk
