Cleaners will employ one of three cleaning formula types – acidic, solvent or surfactant.  Most cleaners are acidic or solvent based.

Acids operate by chemically bonding or interacting with dirt or the stone, tile or grout surfaces.  Acid can dissolve CaCO3 which is the primary chemical ingredient in your marble, limestone, travertine, sulturnia or terrazzo stone surfaces.  This effectively creates micro pitting on the surface, eliminating the flat reflective surface.  This pitted surface scatters light, reducing its ability to reflect properly, and giving a dull appearance.

Acids can also dissolve pigment and dyes.  When applied to colored grout, they can literally bleach or remove the color from your grout.

Vinegar and Bleach are acidic, as are CLR and most off the shelf floor, glass and metal cleaning products.