
If you’ve just moved into a new home, you’ll understandably want to make sure that it’s properly cleaned in order to feel comfortable. Achieving a proper and thorough cleaning requires using cleaners that are appropriate for different surfaces. It makes sense to not instinctively know what cleaner works best on what material. Did you know, however, that cleaning a surface with the wrong product can lead to long term damage? With this in mind, it’s so important to know which products work best for each type of furniture in your new home.
Here’s why: If you use a harsh cleaner on a wooden surface — like your floors or your furniture — you risk removing their finish or even discolouring them. On metal surfaces, the wrong cleaner might cause corrosion and rusting. And if you use the wrong product on your plastic surfaces, it can cause discolouration or fading. In each of these instances, you’re causing long term damage to your furniture.
Furthermore, being unsure of which products to use also means you could be wasting your time and your money. You may end up buying multiple products that don’t work with certain surfaces, leading to more frustration when trying to get these areas properly cleaned. By learning how to choose the right cleaning products for different surfaces, you’ll save both time and money, as well as avoiding any potential damage.
We understand how difficult it can be to make sure you’re using the right products on different surfaces — commercial cleaners are laden with long chemical names which can be difficult to understand. Don’t worry! We’re here to help. Read on to learn more about the best cleaning products for various types of surfaces, as well as which common cleaning products you should avoid.
Armed with the knowledge in this post, you can ensure that your home is clean without worrying about any permanent damage or about wasting money. Let’s dig in and take a look at the best cleaning products for each type of surface.
What are the different types of surfaces?
The different types of surfaces in your home include porous, non-porous, metal, and plastic materials. Here’s how we can break these items down further.
- Porous surfaces are those that can absorb liquid or other substances such as wood and stone.
- Non-porous surfaces don’t absorb liquids like glass, stainless steel, and tile.
- Metal surfaces have a metallic coating or finish like aluminum, brass, and copper.
- Finally, plastic surfaces are made from synthetic materials such as Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

What should you consider when selecting a cleaning product?
When selecting a cleaning product (for any surface), it’s important for you to consider the material itself and how you plan to use the product. If you’re cleaning a porous surface, like wood or stone, opt for a mild cleaner that won’t damage the finish. For non-porous surfaces such as glass and metals and like stainless steel, look for a product that won’t cause any corrosion or fading. When selecting a cleaning product for plastic surfaces, it’s important to make sure it is specifically designed for plastics and doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals that could damage the material.
Don’t worry, we’re going to look into these specifics a little further.
Cleaning Products for Porous Surfaces
When it comes to porous surfaces, you should use a cleaner that is specifically designed for the material — you’ll soon see that this becomes a common theme.
What type of products are best for porous surfaces?
For wood surfaces, a mild soap or detergent can be used, as long as it doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals. A natural homemade cleaner with essential oils for a pleasant scent can also be effective. For stone surfaces, use a pH neutral cleaner specifically designed for the material.
A note to never use vinegar or lemon juice on natural stone, as these acidic solutions may damage the surface.
Which common cleaning products to avoid using on porous surfaces?
When cleaning porous surfaces, it is important to avoid using any products with bleach, ammonia or any other harsh chemicals. These can cause discolouration and may even damage the finish of your wood or stone. In addition, never use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on delicate surfaces like wood and stone.
Cleaning Products for Non-Porous Surfaces
Non-porous surfaces such as glass, stainless steel and tile require special care when it comes to cleaning. These materials are more delicate than porous surfaces and require a little extra TLC.
What type of products are best for non-porous surfaces?
When cleaning non-porous surfaces, look for a mild detergent or soap — these won’t cause any damage. Glass and tile hold their beauty by having a shiny finish. To retain their gleam, use a soft cloth.
Which common cleaning products should you avoid using on non-porous surfaces?
When cleaning non-porous surfaces, it is important to avoid using any products with bleach or ammonia due to their sensitivity. Again, avoid using abrasive cleaners and scouring pads, as these may scratch the surface, making them more difficult to clean in the future.

Cleaning Products for Metal Surfaces
Did you know that metal surfaces have a unique coating or finish? This means that they require special care when it comes to cleaning. It is important to select the right product so that you can get the best results without damaging your metal surfaces — which traditional cleaners can do.
What type of products are best for metal surfaces?
For metal surfaces, look for a mild detergent or soap that won’t cause any corrosion. For tougher stains, you can opt for a cleaner specifically designed for metal. In addition, use a clean soft cloth, a microfibre towel or a sponge to apply the detergent and to buff it off.
Which common cleaning products should you avoid using on metal surfaces?
Again, it is important to avoid using any products with bleach or ammonia on metal surfaces (are you noticing a pattern here?). Skip the hard, wire scourers here as they will absolutely scratch the metal.
Cleaning Products for Plastic Surfaces
Plastic surfaces require special care when it comes to cleaning, as regular commercial cleaners may damage the material. The wrong product can cause the plastic to fade, bubble or break down, so it is important to select a cleaner specifically designed for plastics.
What type of products are best for plastic surfaces?
For plastic surfaces, opt for a mild dish soap that you can thin out with tap water. This mixture won’t cause any damage. For tougher, stubborn stains, you can opt for a cleaner specifically designed for plastics.
Which common cleaning products should you avoid using on plastic surfaces?
It is important to avoid using any products with bleach or ammonia on plastic surfaces. And again, choose soft cloths over abrasive scrubbers for cleaning plastic surfaces.
Cleaning Products for Wood Surfaces
Wood surfaces require extra-special care when it comes to cleaning, as regular cleaners may damage the material. The wrong product can permanently mark the wood and may even cause it to break or crack, for this reason it is important to select a cleaner specifically designed for wood.
What type of products are best for wood surfaces?
For wood surfaces, look for a mild detergent or soap that won’t cause any damage. For tougher stains, look for specialty wood cleaners that are designed for wooden floors and wooden furniture.
Which common cleaning products should you avoid using on wood surfaces?
Again, it is important to avoid using any toxic products — like bleach or ammonia — on wood surfaces. As with other surfaces, don’t use aggressive scourers. Instead use a soft, flannel duster.

Cleaning Products for Glass Surfaces
Glass surfaces have a unique coating or finish that requires extra-special care when it comes to cleaning. For this reason, traditional cleaners may not be suitable for these materials as they can cause scratches and may make the glass fade or change colour. It is important to select the right product so that you can get the best results without damaging your delicate glass surfaces.
What type of products are best for glass surfaces?
For glass surfaces, opt for a mild soap that won’t cause any damage. For tougher stains, you can opt for a cleaner specifically designed for glass. DIY vinegar glass cleaners also work well. Use old newspaper or paper towels to clean glass surfaces as they don’t leave behind any lint while giving a streak-free finish.
Which common cleaning products should you avoid using on glass surfaces?
As with most household surfaces, it is important to avoid using bleach or ammonia-based products on glass surfaces — like mirrors or photo frames. Further, don’t use harsh cleaning cloths or sponges.

Conclusion
When it comes to cleaning different surfaces, it is so important to select the appropriate products for each material. Plastic, wood, glass and stone (like quartz and granite countertops) all require their own special cleaners in order to avoid discolouration or damage.
Mild detergents are usually sufficient for most types of surfaces but tougher stains may require a specific product designed for that particular material. We can’t say this enough — avoid using any products with bleach or ammonia as these can cause discolouration!
Lastly, never use bristly scouring pads on any surface as this may scratch and damage the material. With careful consideration as to the type of cleaner to use where and when, you can keep your surfaces looking clean and like new for years to come.
FAQ
Q: What type of products are best for plastic surfaces?
A: For plastic surfaces, look for mild cleaners. In addition, look for one that is specifically designed for plastics. Use a soft, gentle cloth when you’re cleaning plastic surfaces.
Q: What type of products are best for wood surfaces?
A: For wood surfaces, again, look for a mild detergent or soap that won’t cause any damage. You can often find cleaners that are designed specifically for wooden surfaces and their different finishes. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and scouring pads, as these will scratch wooden tabletops and counters.
Q: What type of products are best for glass surfaces?
A: To clean glass surfaces, seek out a mild detergent or a soap. Look for a cleaner specifically designed for glass or consider making your own DIY solution. Use paper towels or soft microfibre cloths to clean glass surfaces.
Q: Which common cleaning products should you avoid using on all surfaces?
A: It is important to avoid using any products with bleach or ammonia on the surfaces that we have mentioned here. These can cause discolouration, so look for a milder cleaner specifically designed for the material.
We hope that these tips and tricks helped you in deciding what cleaning product and tool is best suited to the different types of furniture in your home. Picking the right cleaning solution is key to a sparkly, damage-free cleaning spree!