Kitchen and Bathroom
Cleaning Guide
Note: All cleaning products should be tested in an inconspicuous area before generalized usage.
Follow all manufacturers’ label instructions.
Cabinets
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Clear-Coated Cabinets: Wipe up spills as they occur, clean up residue with a small amount of high
quality cabinet cleaner, such as Orange Glo Wood Cleaner and Polish (available at Amazon.com). To
remove residue use a soft, dedicated, cloth and wipe with the grain. Dusting is the best maintenance
step. Never use an abrasive rag or cleaner. Never use oily polishes or waxes, or products containing
silicone.
Painted Cabinets: Painted cabinets can be cleaned with a soft, moist rag and a small amount of
household detergent. Dusting is the only maintenance step needed unless surface reside is present.
Rinse surface after cleaning. Do not use an abrasive cleaner.
Countertops
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Caeserstone Quartz, Granite and Marble: Wipe up spills with a clean, soft cloth. For light wipedowns, use DuPont StoneTech Professional Stone and Tile Cleaner (Amazon.com). For stubborn,
stuck-on residue, clean with Softscrub Gel with Bleach (available at Soap.com). For buffing any minor
scratches use Softscrub with a green plastic scrub pad (such as a Scotch-Brite pad) and buff in a
circular motion. Caeserstone is such a dense surface that no sealer is needed. For granite, marble,
or any other sealed natural stone, applying DuPont StoneTech Professional Revitalizer Cleaner and
Protector (Amazon.com) is a good way to both clean your sealed stone and reinforce the existing
protection. This product can be used in lieu of the DuPont cleaner-only product. Minimize the use of
alkaline cleaners – these may dull stone surfaces.
Corian Countertops: Wipe up spills with a clean, soft cloth. Soapy water or an ammonia-based
cleaner is recommended by DuPont for persistent or dried-on residue. Corian is non-porous and
doesn’t require a sealer. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scrub pads.
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Tile
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Stone Tile and Grout: Wipe up spills with a clean, soft cloth. For stubborn or dried spills use DuPont
StoneTech Professional Stone and Tile Cleaner (Amazon.com). Another option is Benissimo Stone &
Tile Cleaner. For vacuuming a floor, use only soft (plastic or rubberized) attachments for contacting
the tile. Minimizing use of high alkaline cleaners – these may dull stone surfaces.
Ceramic/Porcelain Tile and Grout: Wipe up spills with a clean, soft cloth. For stubborn or dried spills
use DuPont StoneTech Professional Stone and Tile Cleaner (Amazon.com).
Fixtures
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Chrome Fixtures: Wipe with a clean cloth. Recommended cleaners are Comet Bathroom Cleaner,
Fantastic Antibacterial Heavy Duty, and Windex Original. Rinse and dry after cleaning. Never use
abrasive cleaners or those containing ammonia, bleach, acids, waxes, alcohol, or solvents.
Stainless Steel Fixtures: Wipe with a clean cloth. Recommended cleaners are 409 All Purpose, 409
Glass and Surface, and Fantastic Antibacterial Heavy Duty. Rinse and dry after cleaning.
Oil Rubbed Bronze Finish: Only use Windex Original. Rinse and dry after cleaning.
Vitreous China Sinks and Toilets/Bidets: Wipe up spills with a clean, soft cloth. Recommended
cleaners are 409 All Purpose, Fantastic Antibacterial Heavy Duty, Comet Bathroom Cleaner, Lysol
Bathroom, Soft Scrub Lemon, and Tilex Bathroom. Rinse and dry after cleaning.
Toilet Seats: Comet Bathroom Cleaner, 409 Glass and Surface, and Windex Original.
Cast Iron Tubs or Sinks: Fantastic Antibacterial Heavy Duty, 409, Windex Original.
Removing Adhesives: Start with either mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol. After usage, wipe surface
with a clean, damp rag. If the adhesive is particularly stubborn then usage of 3M Adhesive Remover
(NAPA Auto Parts) or Goo Gone is recommended. Both of these products should be tested in an
inconspicuous location before generalized usage.
Acrylic Tubs or Showers: Recommended products are Fantastic Antibacterial Heavy Duty, Lysol
Bathroom Cleaner, or Tilex Bathroom Cleaner.
Swanstone Solid-Surface: Finish is stain resistant; however, the finish requires reasonable care.
Wash regularly with warm water, use a soft cloth with mild liquid detergent such as Top Job, Ajax
Liquid Cleaner, or Mr. Clean All-Purpose Cleaner. Remove hard water stains or mineral build-up with
scale removers such as Lime-Away. Never use abrasive scouring powders, cleaners or pads, as they
will dull the finish. Protect finish with any fiberglass wax or automotive paste wax.
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Windows and Doors
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Glass: Don’t use any petroleum-based cleaners or caustic chemicals or use a razor blade, abrasive
pad or putty knife to clean the glass. Do clean glass with a mild dish soap and water, rinse with clean
water and wipe dry with a soft cloth to avoid water spots. Avoid washing glass in direct sunlight.
Screens: Remove from the window and wash on a clean, flat surface with mild soap and water, using
a soft brush.
Vinyl: For vinyl frames, wash with warm water and a mild detergent on a soft, absorbent cloth. Don’t
use solvents or a hard-bristled brush. Make sure all exterior weep holes are clear of debris.
Shower Enclosures
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Glass: Squeegee the glass frequently and wash with DOW liquid Comet Bathroom Cleaner.
Squeegeeing after taking a shower helps keep spots and scale from accumulating on the glass. Do
not use any acid-based spritz-and-leave “daily cleaners”, such as Tilex, because these can
permanently etch the glass and void the manufacturer’s warranty.
Anodized Aluminum Finish (Silver, Gold, Brushed Nickle, and Satin Silver): If your hardware has this
finish, it can be damaged by some scale cleaners (causing pitting of the aluminum, and creating white
spots). Read the label of the cleaning product to make sure it doesn’t contain phosphoric acid and
doesn’t warn against use on aluminum.
Flooring
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Marmoleum: Sweep, dust-mop, or vacuum the floor. Damp-mop the floor with Marmoleum Floor
Cleaner at the correct dilution (read the label for directions). Do not flood the floor with water, or
use harsh cleaners such as ammonia. For stubborn dirt, use a non-abrasive sponge or nylon brush.
For serious stains, like paint, ink, tar, etc., complete the following steps: Remove the surface finish
and the stain with it by applying undiluted Marmoleum Cleaner to the affected area and leave it
there 2-3 minutes. Rub the area with a nylon kitchen pad and then rinse with clean water. Repeat if
necessary. When dry, apply a small amount of finish to even out the sheen again. Finish may also be
applied to mask excessive wear in an area, or desired additional gloss. The steps are: Thoroughly
clean the floor. Scrub the floor with undiluted Marmoleum Floor Cleaner. Rinse thoroughly and
allow to dry. Apply 2 thin coats of Marmoleum Floor Finish, using a lint-free cloth or a clean mop
head. Allow the finish to dry between coats (usually 30-40 minutes). For a higher gloss apply a third
coat, but never apply more than 3 coats in a 24 hour period.
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