Over the last few decades, we’ve collectively ditched synthetic surfaces like Formica, acrylic, and resins in exchange for natural materials like stone, marble, and travertine. (I, for one, have more travertine in my home than almost any other surface. I’m certainly not mourning the loss of Formica countertops.) Of course, natural stone has been used as a building material for ages, and the draw isn’t hard to understand: It’s durable, chic, and usually fairly easy to maintain. Plus, most natural stones reflect light in a way that opens up your home instantly.
Whether you moved into a new space that came with stone like marble, travertine, or leathered granite—or if you had it installed yourself—you may not know that many cleaning products can disrupt the sealant, as well as the stone itself. Harsh cleaners filled with chemicals or common kitchen items like acidic lemons can react with the marble and cause what’s called an etch mark. It’s not really something you want to test unless you can find a spot that’s completely out of sight.
You already know and love our Leather Cleaner for its ability to clean and condition any type of leather—including shoes, handbags, jackets, furniture, and luggage. But did you know you can also use it in myriad other ways around the house? Instead of risking it with other cleaners, I’ve started exclusively using Leather Cleaner, which is packed with oils that clean and condition all at once.
Because MH products never contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, dye, formaldehyde, parabens, or phthalates, they’re safe to use in places like kitchen countertops, your dining room table, or the granite that makes up your bar. Once a week, I grab an old washcloth and spritz it with Leather Cleaner, then go to town on my travertine dining table, marble console, side tables, and my tile countertops. In the one case where I overdid it, I went back with a clean washcloth, which left enough product to condition the stone, but not enough for it to feel greasy.
Have other hacks for our Leather Cleaner? Let us know on social @murchisonhume!
xx LC