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Quartz Composite (Engineered Stone):
(Cambria, Caesarstone)
Made of quartz and resins
Hot pads recommended
AVOID bleach and abrasive cleaners (Comet, Soft Scrub, SOS pads)
Clean with: warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner (Simple Green, 409)
Stainless Steel:
Won’t stain, can handle hot pots
Will scratch, dull knives, show fingerprints
Clean With: glass cleaner
Natural Stone Countertops:
(Granite, marble, limestone, soapstone)
Must be sealed regularly, depending on sealer and usage
Avoid contact with acidic foods
Clean with: mild detergent and water, 3-in-1 Stone Countertop Cleaner
Natural Fiber Composite:
(Paperstone)
Made from recycled paper and resin
Light colors may patina with time
Use hot pads and cutting board
Clean with: soap and water regularly
Solid Surface:
Made up of mineral compound mixed with polyester or acrylic resins
Use hot pads and cutting board
Fine grain sandpaper will remove scratches
Clean with: soapy water or ammonia-based cleaner
Laminate:
(Formica, Wilsonart)
Made up of compressed kraft paper with melamine coating
Use hot pads and cutting board
Clean with: mild detergent
Concrete:
Will develop patina over time
Professionally seal periodically to enhance stain resistance
Use cutting board
Heat resistant
Avoid extended contact with acidic food and oil
Clean with: non-abrasive cleaners and mild soap
Ceramic Tile:
Clay mixture fired at high temperatures
Heat-resistant
Use cutting board
Seal grout
Clean with: mild water/vinegar solution
Butcher Block:
Made of hardwoods glued under pressure
If unsealed, season with mineral oil before use and periodically after
Polyurethane and varnishes not recommended
Excessive water will rot and delaminate wood
Clean with: damp cloth followed by detergent, repeat damp cloth
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Enameled:
(Stoves and ovens)
Organic material applied to metal with heat
Scouring pads and powders will scratch
Ammonia and bleach may damage surface
Clean with: detergent and warm water, rinse and dry
Glass:
(Oven and microwave doors, cook-tops)
Scouring powders may leave scratches
Clean with: ammonia, vinegar or commercial glass cleaner
Glass Ceramic:
(Smooth-top cooktops, ranges)
Avoid abrasive cleaners
Follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning
Stainless Steel:
Resists stains and rust
Will dull over time
Clean with: dishwashing liquid, warm water, baking soda
Sinks: scouring powders, shine with vinegar/multi-purpose household cleaner
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Vitreous China:
Made of clay - fired, glazed, and polished
Scouring may dull the finish
Clean with: non-abrasive cleaners
Silgranit (Granite composite):
Non-abrasive cleaner (i.e. BLANCOCLEAN Composite Sink Cleaner)
A solution of 50% bleach, 50% water or Bar Keepers Friend should only be used for tough stains. Let the solution sit in the bottom of the sink for one hour; then scrub. Rinse well. Composite sink cleaner to put a protective coating back on the sink's surface.
To remove Calcium Deposits use LIME AWAY
To remove Adhesive Labels: use Acetone
WHAT NOT TO USE:
1) Do not use any abrasive cleaning agents or scrub pads, such as Steel Wool
2) Straight bleach
3) Commercial alkalis, such as ammonia and/or caustic solutions
4) Drain blocking chemicals that involve filling the sink with water
LUSTER:
BLANCOCLEAN can be used to help bring back the luster. Follow the directions on the bottle.
WHAT NOT TO USE:
1) Do not use any abrasive cleaning agents or scrub pads, such as Steel Wool
2) Straight bleach
3) Commercial alkalis, such as ammonia and/or caustic solutions
4) Drain blocking chemicals that involve filling the sink with water
Enameled Cast Iron:
Glass fused to metal with heat
Clean with: non-abrasive cleaner
Cultured Stone:
Made up of ground stone mixed with polyester resin with gel coat
Small surface scratches repair with fine-grade sandpaper
Clean with: non-abrasive cleaners
Acrylic:
Scouring powders may scratch
Wax occasionally to protect finish
Clean with: mild, non-abrasive cleanser, wipe dry with cloth
Chrome:
Clean with: soapy water, non-abrasive cleanser, dry with a paper towel,
Shine with: baby oil or soft cloth moistened with vinegar
Gold Plate:
Clean with: mild soap and water, wipe dry with clean, soft cloth. Commercial, nonabrasive cleaners are effective and safe, except for those that contain ammonia. Rinse gold-plated fixtures thoroughly after applying a cleaner. Dry fixture with clean, soft cloth.
Glass and Mirrors:
Remove scratches or discoloration with non-gel toothpaste
Clean with: Equal parts white vinegar and warm water or commercial glass cleaner with paper towels, lint-free cloths, or crumpled newspapers
Fiberglass:
Clean with: mild, nonabrasive bathroom cleansers and wipe dry with a cloth; scouring powders can scratch. Wax occasionally to protect the finish.
Whirlpool Tub:
Once every three months, purge and clean the circulating system.
1. Fill whirlpool with hot water and add two teaspoons of dishwasher detergent and one-half cup of bleach to filled whirlpool.
2. Activate system for two minutes.
3. Drain and refill whirlpool with cold water and circulate for five minutes.
4. Drain whirlpool completely.
Do not operate whirlpool circulating system when using soap, bath oil or bubble bath.
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Wood Flooring:
(Solid wood, engineered, parquet, plank, strip, acrylic-impregnated)
Protect from moisture
Clean with: broom, vacuum, dust mop, standard wood floor cleaning products
Stone:
(Slate, limestone, travertine, flagstone, granite, marble)
Requires sealer
Clean with: damp mop, stone cleaner
Natural Linoleum Flooring:
(Marmoleum)
Made up of linseed oil, resins, wood flour, jute backing
Clean with: damp mop, dust mop, TASKI R50 diluted with water or manufacturer-recommended cleaner
Bamboo Flooring:
Protect from moisture and heavy wear
Clean with: broom, vacuum, dust mop, professionally recommended cleaning products
Vinyl Flooring:
Clean with: dust mop and damp mop, professionally recommended cleaning products
Resilient Flooring:
Resists scuffs and stains, is easy to repair and clean and offers great design flexibility. Vinyl composition tiles (vinyl resins mixed with filler) are the cheapest and least durable.
Vacuum or sweep vinyl and rubber to remove debris and mop with mild household cleaners or soap and water. Some vinyl floors are coated with nonstick finishes that help prevent dust and dirt from adhering. Many vinyl manufacturers offer proprietary cleaning products.
Laminate Flooring:
Made up of wood-based core and wear-resistant decorative surface made of resin-based melamine
Clean with: broom, vacuum, dust mop, wet-mop with mild cleanser or soap and water as needed, following manufacturer’s recommendations
Standing water on seams must be wiped up immediately: excessive water in these areas can cause swelling, which cannot be repaired
Ceramic/Porcelain Tile:
Mixture of clays fired at high temperatures to create a hard body
Clean with: Clean with a mild, nonabrasive household cleanser or soap and water. Waxing is not necessary. Damp-mop and hard floor vacuum attachment. Unglazed tiles should be sealed periodically. Grout should be sealed or use epoxy grout.
Cork Flooring:
Harvested bark from cork trees, renewable in nine years. Resilient and water-resistant.
Clean with: Damp mop, use mild detergent, clean spills immediately. Use furniture rests and entrance mats. May be refinished.
Concrete:
Clean with: neutral cleaner. Professionally seal every 2-3 years.
Carpeting:
Clean with: treat spills as soon as possible by blotting, never rubbing, with white cloth or paper towels. Apply a household stain removal product or soap and water to whatever cannot be blotted clean. Follow the carpet manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning. Synthetic yarns resist stains better than wool, and many are sold specifically as stain-resistant products. Consider having wool carpet professionally sealed and cleaned periodically.
Hardwood with Swedish Finish:
Do not walk on the floor for the first 12-24 hours. It is recommended never to wear hard-soled or high-heeled shoes on any type of wood flooring, particularly during the initial two-week period.
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Painted Woodwork:
Clean with: mild detergent and warm water, rinse and towel-dry. Avoid excessive water as it can seep into cracks and cause paint to fail or even rot. Or use household cleansers safe for painted surfaces. Protect wood floors during cleaning with newspapers or painter’s drop-cloth.
Painted Drywall and Plaster:
Clean with: a sponge, all-purpose detergent and tepid (never hot) water. Commercial cleansers that are marked safe for painted surfaces can also be used. Test-wash an inconspicuous spot beforehand. Vacuum walls to remove dust and loose dirt, and wash from the floorboards up to prevent streaks. Using plastic scrubbing pads or simply rubbing too hard may remove paint and loosen poorly patched cracks in plaster. Rinse walls with a clean, damp sponge and dry with clean cloths. Tough stains may require washing with diluted liquid ammonia or trisodium phosphate. Generally, gloss finishes are easier to clean than flat finishes.
Painted Drywall and Plaster:
Regularly dust and vacuum; use a wood cleaner or paste as needed.
Stained Woodwork:
Regularly dust and vacuum; use a fine wood cleaner or paste as needed. Test on inconspicuous area first.
Wall Coverings:
Nonwashable papers clean with commercial wallpaper cleaner.
Washable paper clean with damp sponge soaked in cool, sudsy water. Wipe with clean cloth and damp sponge. Pat dry with a towel. Scrubbable papers clean with commercial spray foams and wipe with a clean sponge, then wipe with a second damp sponge and pat dry.
Some fabric wallpapers are coated with vinyl and are scrubbable; for those that are not, gently washing the spot with a cool sudsy solution may work. Always test a hidden area first, even on scrubbable wallpapers, to make sure there will be no discoloration.
To absorb grease stains on uncoated fabric and nonwashable papers, press white paper towels onto the stain with a warm iron. Crayon marks can be removed the same way. Commercial spot removers may also be effective (as long as they are labeled as safe for wallpaper).
Stained Woods:
Temperature and humidity changes caused by weather make wood swell and contract; direct sunlight can bleach dark wood and darken light wood; water from spills or condensed underneath glasses leaves white marks.
Dust weekly to prevent scratches and dulling of the finish. A soft, natural-fiber cloth moistened with water or furniture polish can be used to reduce friction and thus the tiny scratches caused by dust particles. Furniture polishes are generally wax- or oil-based: oil seeps into unfinished wood, giving it a warm look, and shines finished wood; wax leaves a thin protective layer that gleams with burnished. Use one or the other – switching between them clouds wood finishes. Polish furniture occasionally – two or three times a year.
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