Cleaning Marble & Natural Stone in Ontario Homes
Natural stone — marble, granite, quartzite, travertine — has become standard in higher-end Ontario new builds and renovations over the past decade. It's beautiful and durable, but it requires specific cleaning practices. Using the wrong products on natural stone can cause permanent damage: etching on marble, dulling on polished granite, and erosion of the sealer that protects all stone surfaces.
The Core Rule
Never use acidic or alkaline cleaners on natural stone. This includes vinegar (highly acidic), lemon juice, bleach, grout cleaners containing acids, and many common bathroom sprays. The safe zone is pH neutral (6.5–7.5). Check the product label — if it says "not for natural stone" or doesn't specify, don't use it.
What to Use
- Daily wipe-down: Warm water and a soft microfiber cloth. Nothing else needed for day-to-day maintenance
- Weekly clean: pH-neutral stone cleaner (available at most home centres — look for "stone-safe" or "pH neutral" labels). Spray, gentle scrub with soft cloth or non-abrasive pad, rinse with clean water, dry immediately
- Never use: Vinegar, bleach, grout haze remover, most multi-surface bathroom sprays, hydrogen peroxide on marble, any powder abrasive cleaner
Professional Deep Cleaning for Stone
Professional cleaning for homes with significant stone surfaces (marble kitchen island, full-stone master bath) uses pH-neutral certified products as standard. We never use conventional bathroom cleaners on natural stone — the damage is irreversible and expensive to repair.