Choosing a Detergent for Natural Stone: What Does pH Neutral Mean?

In short: The most common mistake in natural stone floor care is using the wrong cleaning product.

The phrase "pH neutral" comes up a lot in stone care, but what it means is not always clear. In this article, we explain pH in plain language and make it easier to choose the right product.

What Is pH?

pH is a scale from 0 to 14 that shows whether a liquid is acidic or alkaline:

• 7: Neutral: A value that is neither acidic nor alkaline, like pure water; products in this range do not chemically affect natural stone or the sealer on it.
• Below 7: Acidic: Lemon, vinegar and limescale removers belong to this group; as the value drops, the acid gets stronger and the tendency to leave dull marks on marble and travertine increases.
• Above 7: Basic / alkaline: Bleach, some degreasers and soaps belong to this group; with constant use they can damage the sealer and weaken the grout joints.

Effect on Stone

Acidic Products

Marble, travertine and limestone are calcium carbonate; acid dissolves these stones. The result: dull stains, roughening and loss of shine. Granite is generally more resistant, but some granites and polished surfaces can also be affected.

Strongly Alkaline Products

Bleach, strong degreasers and some machine cleaning products have a high pH. They do not etch natural stone as quickly as acid does, but with constant use they damage the sealer, weaken the grout joints and can cause discoloration in some stones. In special cases such as heavy grease cleaning, alkaline products can be used in a controlled manner; however, the floor must then be rinsed thoroughly with plenty of water, and these products should not be used for daily cleaning.

pH Neutral Products

They remove dirt without harming the stone or the sealer. They are the right choice for daily and weekly cleaning.

Reading Labels

The easiest way to choose the right product is to check a few phrases and the ingredient information on the label before buying.

• Natural stone suitability statements: If the label says for natural stone, suitable for marble or pH neutral, it indicates the product was developed with stone in mind; if there is no such statement, the product should be questioned.
• Ingredients of limescale removers and similar products: Limescale removers, bathroom cleaners and glass cleaners often contain acid or strong chemicals; they should not be used on stone surfaces without checking the ingredient list.
• Shine and polish claims: Products that say they contain shine enhancers or polish may leave a film on the surface; over time this layer traps dirt and makes the floor look dull and slippery.

Products That Leave a Film

Some floor cleaners contain shine-enhancing additives. At first the floor looks glossy, but over time they cause various problems.

• Sticky layer that traps dirt: The layer of polish, which gets a little thicker with each cleaning, attracts dust carried in on shoes, and the dirt becomes embedded in this layer rather than in the stone.
• Grayish appearance: The dirt-trapping film becomes cloudy over time; even though the floor has been cleaned, its color looks faded, grayish and dull.
• Slipperiness: Polish that builds up on the surface reduces the grip of shoe soles, especially when wet; it increases the risk of slipping in kitchens, bathrooms and entrances.

Commonly Used Products and Natural Stone

Correct Amount to Use

The right amount matters as much as the right product. Using more detergent than necessary leaves residue on the surface even with pH neutral products, and the floor gradually becomes dull. Diluting the product at the ratio stated on the label, changing the mop water often and, if necessary, doing the final pass with clean water will keep the floor shiny for a long time. Drying the floor with a dry mop after cleaning prevents water spots.

A Short List for Your Cleaning Cabinet

For the daily care of natural stone, it is enough to keep a few right products and tools at hand.

• pH-neutral stone cleaner: A pH-neutral cleaner made for natural stone removes daily and weekly dirt without damaging the stone or its sealer.
• Microfiber mops and cloths: Microfiber traps dirt instead of dragging it across the surface, and when wrung out well it makes damp wiping easy without soaking the floor.
• Dry dust mop: Used to pick up dust and grit before wet cleaning, so that grains of sand are not dragged along by the mop and do not leave fine scratches on the surface.
• Absorbent paper towel: Spilled coffee, oil or wine should not be wiped; instead, blot it by pressing a towel onto it, which keeps the stain from spreading and soaking into the stone.
• A separate shelf: If acidic and polishing products are kept on a separate shelf, away from stone surfaces, they cannot be applied to the stone by mistake during cleaning.

Proper Cleaning in Alanya

After our honing and maintenance work in Alanya, we leave homeowners and cleaning crews written instructions on which products to use. In our inspections, we see that a significant share of dullness and stains on marble floors is caused by the wrong cleaning products; choosing the right product noticeably extends the time until the next honing.