Acidic vs Alkaline Cleaners| Faber Deterfug or Faber 30

In this article, I will cover the differences between acidic and alkaline cleaners for cleaning stone floors. I will look at their pros and cons to help you make the best choice for the task at hand. 

Acidic vs Alkaline Cleaners

Both acidic and alkaline floor cleaners serve the purpose of cleaning your floors and removing several unwanted substances or residues. Typically, the process of applying both types of floor cleaner is also similar. 

However, it is how they achieve this and what residues they remove where the differences become clear.

Acid-based floor cleaners

As the name suggests, acid cleaners contain substances lower than 7 on the pH scale. 

Acidic floor cleaners remove inorganic deposits such as scaling. Scale is the mineral coating and corrosion deposits of stone surfaces. It is left behind as a result of flaking and peeling. 

These floor cleaners are also effective for cleaning cementitious grout. Acids react with cement in the grout to remove any dirt within. In doing so, it also removes a small layer on top of the grout which exposes a cleaner layer underneath. 

Acid Cleaners remove:
- Grout haze
- Deep Stains
- Mineral Deposits
- Rust Stains
- Grout Residues

The acid wash cleaning is also the cleaning process we use to prep the grout for color sealing.

Alkaline floor cleaners

On the other hand, alkaline cleaners are aggressive against organic residues found tile floors and grout such as dirt and grease.

Alkaline Cleaners remove:
- Dirt
- Grease
- Grime
- Oil
- Wax

Alkaline cleaners are safe and have very low VOCs that they omit during the cleaning process. 

Alkaline cleaners can be used on all types of tiles, including polished marble, granite, glass, and metals.

Considerations 

Acid-based cleaners can eat away at sealers present on stone floors and cause etching. 

Furthermore, acid cleaners must not be used on marble surfaces. Marble is highly reactive to even mild acids. The acid dissolves part of the material which exposes an underlayer. This layer is unpolished and stands out in the environment. 

While alkaline stone floors are effective against grime and grease, they can leave damaging residues. You must properly rinse surfaces are using an alkaline-based cleaner. 

Faber Deterfug Slightly Acidic Detergent

Faber Deterfug is a slightly acidic cleaner for deep cleaning. It works actively to remove different types of dirt, including oily and inorganic, making it ideal for intensive surface cleaning tasks.

Faber Deterfug is perfect for unpolished limestone surfaces, offering the powerful scale-removing action of an acid-based cleaner alongside the gentle action of its unique formula.

This acid floor cleaner completely renews grout and removes any build-up of dirt. Not even the most stubborn dirt can withstand Deterfug. 

Faber Deterfug excels at eliminating surface film often left on floors due to inadequate worksite cleaning or the use of epoxy or cement-based fillers.

Why Faber Deterfug?

While Faber Deterfug is an acid floor cleaner, it is only slightly acidic. Due to this, it sees the benefits of being an acid-based cleaning without facing the negative that comes with that fact. 

For example, acidic cleaners are not suitable for surfaces such as marble, limestone or granite. Typically, acid breaks down the material but Deterfug will not. 

Leaving Deterfug to work for several hours won’t risk ruining or attacking treated floor coverings.

Thanks to Faber giving this surface cleaner a unique formula, it is both fast-acting and offers deep cleaning action. 

Additionally, it does this without altering the original appearance of surfaces. 

Faber 30 Professional Concentrated Alkaline Cleaner

Faber 30 is a water-based, alkaline cleaner that is gentle on stone materials while being tough on dirt. 

As an alkaline cleaner, it is effective against organic residues. Additionally, it works well to remove dark marks and oxidation from previously treated stone surfaces. In fact, Faber 30 gets rid of suction cup marks on ceramic left behind in industrial environments. 

Despite being about of Faber’s Professional range and achieving professional-level results, Faber 30 is incredibly easy to apply. Just dilute the solution down by the necessary amount and mop your floor clean. Afterward, be sure to rinse the surface with clean water. 

Why Faber 30?

Faber 30 is the perfect, all-around deep cleaner for removing unwanted substances from stone surfaces. As an alkaline cleaner, it gets rid of organic residues in addition to oxidation, dark marks and wax from past treatments. 

Faber 30 is a water-based alkaline cleaner both gentle on delicate surfaces and tough on dirt. The application process is both quick and easy. Faber 30 can be used to remove suction cup marks from ceramic surfaces, caused by processing and handling in industrial production environments.

Aftercare

After using either Faber 30 or Faber Deterfug, it is important to rinse your stone floor with a neutral cleaner. 

We suggest either Faber Neugel or Faber Algafloor. 

In conclusion

Before deciding on an alkaline or acidic cleaning solution, you must consider two factors. The material of the stone and the substance being removed. After considering these factors, the choice should become apparent. 

Taking these two factors into consideration should guide you to make the right choice for you. 

However, if you are struggling to choose and need a bit of friendly advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Give us a call at 0121 773 9129 or message us online.