Reference
Cleaning table: routine care and what each surface must never get
One row per surface: the routine method, what never to use on it (acid, ammonia, steam, bleach, abrasives, rubber-backed mats), where makers differ, and the sources. Your maker's care sheet overrides every line.
The gentle default
Your maker's care sheet comes first. Look for it on the box end, the maker's website (search the product line and "care"), the warranty, or ask the seller or landlord. Where you cannot find it, we use one default for every surface: This manual's convention
- Get dry soil and grit off first: sweep, dust mop or vacuum.
- Use a pH-neutral cleaner (pH 7 is neutral; 6 or less is acid, 8 or more alkaline, per a Penn State IPM extension handout).
- Damp, not wet: wring the cloth or mop.
- Dry the surface after.
- Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first.
Three lines hold whatever the maker: no acids (vinegar, lemon) on marble, limestone, travertine or cement grout, because they etch the stone and dissolve the grout (NSI care, TCNA cleaning grout); and no steam on wood floors (NWFA maintenance, Shaw hardwood care). Physical principle
A gentler default is stricter than some makers. If your maker allows steam or vinegar on your product, its sheet wins. Cleaning by surface explains each row.
Caution
Never mix bleach with ammonia or with acids. Bleach with ammonia makes chloramine gases; bleach with any acid, such as vinegar, lemon juice or a toilet bowl cleaner, makes chlorine gas. The New Jersey Department of Health also lists rubbing alcohol, oven cleaner and drain cleaner as things never to mix with bleach, and warns that hydrogen peroxide with vinegar forms peracetic acid (New Jersey Department of Health hazard alert). The Natural Stone Institute and EPA say the same about mixing (NSI care, EPA on VOCs). Use one product at a time, rinse between them, and read every label. If someone breathes fumes from a mix, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
A disinfectant's label is binding: EPA says the label is the law, and the surface must stay wet for the contact time printed on it (EPA pesticide labels, EPA disinfectant labels). A disinfectant that works on germs can still harm a finish; check the surface maker's sheet before you use one. Vinegar is not a registered disinfectant (NMSU G-304). Cleaning product safety in general, including storage and Poison Help, is in Learn First Home Basics: Cleaning products and how to use them safely.
The table
One row per surface. "Never" lists what the named sources say not to use; where makers disagree, the next column says who says what. Filter by surface, or type a word (steam, vinegar, ammonia, bleach) to see every row that names it.
| Surface | Routine | Never | Where makers differ | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood floors, surface finish | Sweep, dust mop or vacuum on the bare-floor setting; a dry or slightly damp cloth for spills; a cleaner made for the finish (NWFA). | Steam mops and wet mops (NWFA, Shaw). Oil-based wax or polish (Shaw). | NWFA says to use only the cleaner the floor, finish or installer names. Oil and wax finishes have their own upkeep (NWFA). Shaw keeps humidity at 35 to 55 percent; NWFA says 30 to 50. | NWFA care sheet, NWFA maintenance, NWFA finishes, Shaw hardwood care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Laminate floors | Vacuum with the hard-floor attachment, not the beater bar; a laminate cleaner (Shaw). | Flooding (Mannington). Steel wool and abrasive cleaners (Shaw, Mannington). Wax and polish (Mannington, NALFA). | Shaw: no wet mopping with any liquid cleaner, and no strong ammonia cleaners. Mannington: a slightly damp mop with non-sudsy ammonia cleaner, and steam approved for one collection only. | Shaw laminate care, Mannington laminate care, NALFA FAQ. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Vinyl plank, tile and rigid core (LVP, LVT) | Weekly cleaning; a pH-neutral cleaner; no beater-bar vacuum (COREtec, Shaw). | Abrasive cleaners (Shaw). Rubber- or latex-backed mats, which can discolor it (Shaw, Mohawk). Acetone and nail polish remover (Mohawk, 2020). Steam, unless approved for your product (COREtec). | Shaw, COREtec and Mohawk: no ammonia, and Shaw and COREtec no vinegar. Mannington names a non-sudsy ammonia cleaner. Mohawk's 2020 sheet both forbids bleach and gives a bleach spot dilution. | Shaw vinyl care, COREtec FAQ, Mohawk LVT care (2020), Mannington resilient care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Sheet vinyl | Mop with the cleaner the maker names; Mannington's is a non-sudsy ammonia cleaner in warm water. | Latex-backed and coco-fiber mats (Mannington). Sanding, dry scraping or power stripping old sheet vinyl, which may contain asbestos (RFCI, EPA). | Ammonia: Mannington yes, Shaw and Mohawk no. Mannington's stain chart allows bleach for up to an hour. | Mannington resilient care, Shaw vinyl care, Mohawk LVT care (2020), RFCI work practices, EPA asbestos. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Linoleum | Cleaner between pH 6.0 and 8.0, diluted in unheated water; rinse; two mops (Forbo). | Flooding (Forbo). Furniture polish or silicone; any finish other than the maker's own (Forbo). | Forbo's home guide also offers half vinegar and half water, which is below its own pH band. Forbo allows non-staining rubber- or vinyl-backed rugs; vinyl and cork makers say avoid them. | Forbo Marmoleum home care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Cork | Vacuum or sweep, then mop without too much water (Wicanders). | Strong abrasives and ammonia; rubber or latex mats (Wicanders). | Only one cork maker's page was found; no pH range or humidity range from a maker. | Wicanders cork care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Wall-to-wall carpet | Vacuum at least once a week (CRI); professional deep cleaning every 12 to 18 months. Blot spots with a white cloth, edges to center, then rinse with clear water (CRI). | Scrubbing or brushing a spot (CRI). A steam cleaner on pet urine: heat sets the stain and smell (CRI). | CRI's FAQ says vacuum at least twice a week. Shaw says professional cleaning every 6 to 18 months and a beater bar for most styles; CRI says suction only for wool. Some makers require Seal of Approval cleaners for warranty (CRI). | CRI cleaning, CRI FAQ, Shaw carpet care, CRI Seal of Approval. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Rugs | Blot; lukewarm water on wool (Kaleen). Vacuum fringed rugs from center to fringe with gentle suction (CRI). Washable rugs: warm water and mild detergent (CRI). | Bleach on synthetic rugs (Kaleen). Water on viscose and jute, which are very sensitive to moisture (Kaleen). | Heirloom Oriental rugs go to a professional (CRI); so do stubborn stains on natural fibers (Kaleen). | Kaleen rug care, CRI cleaning. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Glazed ceramic and porcelain tile | Apply cleaner, wet-vacuum the dirty water, rinse and vacuum again (TCNA). | Oil- or wax-based cleaners that leave a film (TCNA). Acid cleaners where the grout is cement (TCNA). | Sealing glazed tile: TCNA says no, since the glaze outlasts any coating. | TCNA cleaning grout, NSI care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Cement grout | Alkaline cleaners rather than acid ones; rinse to avoid a sticky film (TCNA). Steam may lift stains that resist cleaners (TCNA). | Vinegar and other acids: they dissolve cement grout (TCNA). Oil soap and pine cleaners that leave a film (TCNA). | Some installers use acid on stubborn stains; TCNA says grout makers do not recommend it. Sealing cement grout: TCNA calls it a very good idea. | TCNA cleaning grout. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Epoxy and premixed grout | Clean as the tile; TCNA says epoxy grout is virtually as stain resistant as the tile. | One premixed grout's sheet: no acid or no-rinse cleaners, no steam cleaning (LATICRETE). | Premixed grouts differ product to product: read the sheet for yours. | TCNA cleaning grout, TCNA epoxy, LATICRETE premixed grout. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Natural stone tile (floors and walls) | Dust mop often; neutral cleaner, stone soap or mild dish detergent and warm water; rinse and dry (NSI). | Lemon, vinegar and other acids on marble, limestone and travertine (NSI). Rust removers and toilet bowl cleaners with hydrofluoric acid, on any stone (NSI). Water on efflorescence (NSI). | Soap scum: NSI allows dilute ammonia but says frequent use may dull some stone. One restorer advises against dish detergent (Use Natural Stone). | NSI care, Use Natural Stone, granite. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Marble, limestone and travertine counters | Neutral cleaner, stone soap or mild dish detergent and warm water; coasters under citrus and alcohol (NSI). | Lemon, vinegar and other acids: they may dull or etch (NSI). Scouring powders and creams (NSI). | Sealing interval: NSI gives none; restorers range from yearly to every 5 to 10 years (Use Natural Stone). Sealing does not prevent etching (NSI). | NSI care, Use Natural Stone, marble. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Granite, quartzite and other siliceous stone counters | Neutral cleaner, stone soap or mild dish detergent and warm water; rinse and dry (NSI). | Acidic cleaners, which NSI still does not recommend. Hydrofluoric acid in rust removers attacks granite and quartzite too (NSI). | Dish soap: NSI lists it; one restorer says it leaves a film (Use Natural Stone). Some stones sold as quartzite are marble and etch (Use Natural Stone). | NSI care, Use Natural Stone, granite, Use Natural Stone, quartzite. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Soapstone | Mineral oil if you want it darker; optional (Use Natural Stone). | Not stated by a source we found. | Use Natural Stone says it does not have to be sealed. | Use Natural Stone, soapstone. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Engineered quartz | Warm water and a soft cloth, mild soap if needed (Cambria); soap and water or mild household cleaners (Wilsonart). | Bleach, oven cleaners, abrasive pads and powders (Cambria, Wilsonart). Sealers and polishes (Cambria, Silestone). High-pH cleaners (Wilsonart; Silestone above pH 10). | Silestone's 2021 sheet allows diluted bleach and dilute acids for specific stains, rinsed off; Cambria says no acids and no bleach. | Cambria care, Wilsonart quartz care, Silestone use and care (2021). Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Solid surface | Soapy water or an ammonia-based cleaner; wipe completely dry (Corian, 2018). | Paint removers, oven cleaners, acid drain cleaners (Corian, 2018); acetone-based cleaners (Wilsonart). A green scouring pad on the counter (Corian, 2018). | Corian's 2018 bulletin allows diluted bleach (1 to 100) to disinfect. | Corian care (2018), Wilsonart solid surface care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Plastic laminate counters | Damp non-abrasive cotton cloth, mild liquid detergent or household cleaner; rinse and dry (Formica). | Flooding near seams (Formica). Abrasive cleaners (Formica). | Formica's FENIX material takes acetone and household cleaners but not scouring pads. | Formica care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Wood counters and butcher block | Keep a food-grade finish on it: mineral oil or paraffin wax (USDA). | Baby oil, which has ingredients that should not touch food (USDA). | Vegetable oils can go rancid (USDA). | USDA FPL food-contact finishes, USDA Wood Handbook. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Stainless steel | Damp cloth for fingerprints; clean along the grain (Euro Inox, 2011). | Chloride cleaners, hydrochloric acid, hypochlorite bleach, silver cleaners; steel wool and wire brushes (Euro Inox, 2011). | Nylon pads remove stubborn dirt but scratch mirror finishes (Euro Inox, 2011). | Euro Inox stainless cleaning (2011). Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Porcelain slab | Microfiber cloth, water and neutral detergent (Laminam). | Hydrofluoric acid; abrasive sponges and wire pads (Laminam). | Not stated by a source we found. | Laminam care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Wood cabinets, painted or stained | Damp cloth, then dry; mild soap and warm water for grease; a fresh cloth, not the dishcloth (Medallion, Wolf). | Bleach, ammonia, abrasives, scouring pads (Wolf). Damp towels hung on doors (Medallion). Oven cleaner on wood finishes (Wolf). | Polish: Wolf allows optional furniture polish or lemon oil on stained finishes; Medallion says avoid self-polishing waxes. | Medallion care (2014), Wolf care guide. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Thermofoil doors | Cotton cloth or non-abrasive sponge, mild dish soap (Medallion). | Abrasives, ammonia, baking soda, cleaners with a brush; hot pans; self-cleaning oven heat without shields (Medallion). | Medallion allows a 10 percent bleach mix to disinfect most thermofoil after a spot test. | Medallion care (2014). Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Faucet and hardware finishes | Mild dish soap, rinse, dry (Moen). | Lime scale removers and green scouring pads (Moen). Ammonia and bleach on California Faucets finishes. | Vinegar: Moen and Rohl allow it diluted half and half; California Faucets says no vinegar on living finishes. | Moen finish care, Rohl living finish, California Faucets finish care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Upholstery, code W | Water-based cleaner or foam; avoid over-wetting (Sailrite). Vacuum or brush weekly (NMSU). | Solvents. W does not mean machine washable (Sailrite). | Each maker sets its own codes (Ashley lists DC, HW, MW and others). Performance fabric makers give their own recipes. | Sailrite cleaning codes, American Leather cleaning codes, Ashley cleaning codes, NMSU G-402. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Upholstery, code S | Water-free solvent spot cleaner; ventilate; no open flame (Sailrite). | Water, which can damage it or leave rings (American Leather, Ashley). | Overall soiling goes to a professional. | Sailrite cleaning codes, American Leather cleaning codes, Ashley cleaning codes. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Upholstery, code W/S | Water-based or solvent cleaner; pre-test is especially important (Sailrite). | Over-wetting (Sailrite). | Overall soiling goes to a professional (Sailrite). | Sailrite cleaning codes, American Leather cleaning codes. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Upholstery, code X | Vacuum or light brushing (Sailrite). | Water and solvent cleaners (Sailrite, American Leather). | Sailrite: vacuum or brush only. American Leather: do not clean it yourself; hire a professional. | Sailrite cleaning codes, American Leather cleaning codes. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Slipcovers and cushion covers | Washable slipcovers: cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent, separate loads, zipped (Craftmaster, 2025). | Removing zippered cushion covers to wash them (NMSU, Floyd). Bleach and line drying on washable slipcovers (Craftmaster). | Craftmaster: only its washable collection is pre-shrunk; other slipcovers need dry cleaning. | Craftmaster slipcover care (2025), NMSU G-402, Floyd on cushion covers. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Aniline and semi-aniline leather | Vacuum with a soft brush; wipe spills with a moist cloth and mild soap (FIRA). | Household detergents, wax, spray polish, abrasives (FIRA). Spot cleaning, which leaves blotches (Carl Hansen). | Care creams: FIRA says avoid proprietary care fluids; Carl Hansen allows a vegetable-based cream. | FIRA leather types, Carl Hansen leather care. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Pigmented leather | Vacuum with a soft brush; moist cloth and mild soap for spills (FIRA). | Household detergents, wax, spray polish, abrasives (FIRA). | Not stated by a source we found. | FIRA leather types. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
| Faux leather (PU and PVC coated fabric) | Follow the maker's sheet; not stated by a source we found. | Harsh cleaners, sanitizers and disinfectants cause cracking that looks like hydrolysis (ACT). | Not stated by a source we found. | ACT on hydrolysis. Your maker's care sheet overrides this line. |
How often
The table gives methods, not a calendar. The Care schedule sorts the routine items for your surfaces into weekly, monthly, yearly and every-few-years groups, with the maker's own interval in its own column. Spills and stains start on Something just spilled.
Limits
Each line summarizes what a few makers and associations say about a surface in general. Products that look alike can have different rules: one laminate maker approves steam for one collection, and another says no wet mopping of its laminate. The table cannot tell you which cleaner is right for your product; the maker's care sheet can. A cleaner in the Routine column is not a judgment that it is harmless to you or your household; read its label. This page gives no advice on disinfection for health purposes.