Think Twice Before Using Comet Cleaner On These Surfaces

Using Comet Cleaner in your home can help get each surface squeaky clean with little effort. However, there are certain surfaces that it can ruin in the process. Believe it or not, you'll want to avoid using it on tile and glass since it can damage those surfaces.

Comet is a powerful abrasive cleaner that can be used to remove tough stains and grime from a variety of surfaces, including porcelain, stainless steel, natural marble, and glazed ceramic tile without harming the surface. Along with other brands of powdered abrasive cleaners like Ajax, it is also effective at killing germs and disinfecting surfaces.

For that reason, Comet is often the go-to cleaner for bathrooms and kitchens as well as floors and other surfaces. It cleans toilets, sinks, showers, and bathtubs and can also be used to remove soap scum and hard water stains. Additionally, Comet is effective in getting countertops, stovetops, ovens, and refrigerators dirt free and dishes and utensils grease and grime free. But, for all the good that it does, there are certain surfaces you should avoid cleaning with Comet.

Comet can scratch glass surfaces because contains small particles that can scrape away at the surface of the glass. This sometimes causes scratches, especially if the Comet is applied with too much pressure. The more delicate the glass, the more potential there is for scuffs and scrapes.

Still, sturdiness does not negate Comet's abrasive nature. For example, shower doors made of glass seem strong and are typically made from tempered glass, which is made through a rigorous process of heating and cooling to make the final product not only hard-wearing but also long-lasting. However, Comet can still scratch tempered glass. 

To clean glass doors safely, try using lemon juice or vinegar. These natural acids can help to dissolve soap scum and hard water stains. Mix equal parts lemon juice and water or vinegar with water and add to a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the shower doors and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, scrub the doors gently with a sponge or cloth. Rinse the solution away with water and dry the doors with a microfiber cloth.

Abrasive powder cleaners like Comet work best on hard surfaces that are non-porous. While you may think that ceramic tile would be safe to use Comet on, that's not the case. Not only does the powder get on the tile but it also gets into the grout. Comet can scratch tile and the chemicals in it can potentially erode your grout as well. Use a bathroom cleaner spray for ceramic tiles instead.

In addition, any type of powder cleaner can disfigure granite and marble.  Granite and marble are natural stones that are porous. As a result, they can be scratched easily. ​​

Mixing white vinegar and Dawn dish soap is effective at removing dirt, grime, and soap scum from tile. Mix one part dish soap with four parts white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on the tile and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, scrub the tile gently with a sponge or cloth. Rinse the solution away with water and dry the tile with a soft cloth.