Here's some information I recently learned about Formula 409 Natural Stone Cleaner from my husband's cousin.
We were at their newly built home for Thanksgiving and she has nice new granite countertops. Some of her countertops were a brown speckled color, while others were a very dark color, almost black.
I noticed, while we were getting the meal ready that she has some of this Formula 409 cleaner out made for stone, and since I didn't have any reviews of it yet on the site I asked her about it. Although she looked at me a bit strangely she humored me and told me what she thought.
Therefore, what follows is basically a summary of what she told me while getting ready for the Thanksgiving meal.
She said she purchased this product because it was a lower cost option, and since they had just moved into their home they were looking to save money in any way they could.
Although she was about half way through the spray bottle of the 409 stone cleaner, and would finish it all up before getting a new cleaner, she would not be purchasing it again.
She said it worked quite well on her brown speckled granite counter, and if that is all she had she would buy it again in a heartbeat. However, unlike the packaging which promises it won't streak she noticed streaking with it on her almost black granite counter, which she didn't like. Therefore, she would be searching for a different product next time.
I researched a little about this product after speaking to her and found out it can be used for granite, marble, limestone, slate, and standstone. It is also ammonia free.
I would love to hear from more people who have used this product to tell me what you thought of it. I'd love to hear what stone surfaces you've used it on, whether you noticed any streaking, and also what the color of your stone is to see if that made a difference for you. You can share your stone cleaner review here for this or any other brand, telling what you like, or don't about the product.
Here's a couple quick reviews of this product I received from readers.
SR101 Reader 1 says:
I love this product and I have black granite countertops. It doesn't leave streaks at all.
Unfortunately I can't find it any longer. :(
SR101 Reader 2 says:
I had always used regular 409 but found it left streaks and dark patches on my granite.
I found this product once in the store and now can't find it anywhere, but it works amazingly!
I have nearly black speckled countertops and it never streaks.
I do "dry" them with the back of the paper towel which may explain the lack of streaks, but any other cleaner leaves them despite all my efforts.
As far as stainless steel goes this is the best product I've ever used. Granted I haven't gotten any of those fancy wipes or things, but being able to use the same inexpensive cleaner on all surfaces is a big bonus.
I am quite sad that I can't find it anymore.
Taylor says:
Thanks for the quick reviews. I'm glad to hear someone else who has black granite hasn't had the same problem my husband's cousin has had with streaking.
I'd love to hear from even more people who've used the product to say whether they've had streaking issues with it, since I've now gotten some conflicting reports about it. Maybe there is a technique to using it for streak free countertops!
In regard to not being able to find it, I did some research and the company still makes it. I do admit to being a bit confused though because on the company's website they still call it Formula 409 Natural Stone Cleaner, but on Amazon I now find it as Formula 409 Stone and Steel Cleaner, where it appears it has been rebranded to now work on both stone and stainless steel.
I'd love to hear from others who have used either the original version, or the newer version which also works on stainless steel to hear how it works for you on either surface. You can share your review of this or any other stone cleaner here, either positive or negative.
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I moved in December 2014 in a brand new building and apts have granite countertop and bar.
It works miracle on granite - but on the marble vanity top - I did exactly what the instructions said, and it left streaks on it. I am so frustrated, because this is noticeable, kind of 2 yellow streaks - very light - but you can see them. I did do what the instructions said, spray and wipe dry with a paper towel. I am so afraid if the management see this - I am a very neat person - Not long ago they came to inspect. When they left they said "very clean apartment." Please let me know what I can do to get rid of the streaks.
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