How to clean cork – 5 expert cleaning tips to keep surfaces spotless
Professional cleaners share their top tips for how to clean cork to refresh this rough yet durable modern material and keep it looking its best
Cork, with its biophilic and eco-friendly appeal, is fast becoming a popular choice for everything from organizers to flooring around the home. However, its unique texture while bringing resilience, means it can be tricky to keep clean through daily use.
Luckily, cleaning off old cork is relatively simple, and you can even use items you already have at home for quick and easy maintenance.
Here, professional cleaners have shared their five best cleaning tips for cork to help you avoid damaging this sustainable material.
How to clean cork
‘Cork is a clever and versatile material that’s coming back in style as a part of the “biophilia” trend, where we seek to connect with nature, organic materials, and plant life, in our homes,’ begins Bo Hellberg, CMO at String Furniture. ‘It is inherently sustainable and brings warmth and texture to any surface or space, but it’s also ideal for insulating, which makes it great for kitchens.’
It is, therefore, important to maintain it correctly to keep it sustainable. This is how the experts go about it.
1. Scrub with soapy water
For general day-to-day maintenance, cork is very simple to clean, often only requiring a gentle buff with warm, soapy water, says Vanessa Terra Bossart, cleaning professional and founder of Green Terra Cleaning. ‘This solution effectively removes grease and stains without harming the cork,’ she explains.
‘I recommend using something like Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Liquid Soap diluted in water. It's gentle yet effective for cleaning cork without causing damage.’
2. Disinfect regularly
If your cork is in a high touch zone, such as an organizer, or a liner for a drawer, then you can disinfect it by cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide, adds Ken Doty, cleaning expert and COO at The Maids. Simply buff the surface with a clean cloth dampened with either hydrogen peroxide, available at Walmart, or rubbing alcohol after cleaning with soap, and allow it to dry completely.
‘Adding a cork sealant, such as Kelly’s Waterproof Cork Sealer from Amazon, can help to protect the cork and make cleaning and disinfection easier in the future,’ Ken continues.
3. Use a degreaser for hard-set stains
Dealing with stains on cork can be more difficult, but there are a few approaches you can take. For a gentle approach to cleaning kitchen grease or watermarks, Lina Da Silva, professional cleaner and founder of Toronto Shine Cleaning suggests applying a degreaser, such as Formula 409, from Amazon or Fantastik, at Walmart, to stains and letting it sit for a few minutes before wiping it away with a damp cloth. This should be enough to remove light staining, especially on sealed cork.
4. Sand away stains
‘If this is not effective, stains and grease can be removed by light-grit sandpaper,’ continues Ken Doty, cleaning expert. ‘Be very gentle, and only sand in one direction. Don't move the paper in circles or you risk removing layers of the cork altogether.’
Finish by wiping away any dust or debris and cleaning and drying as usual. Consider adding a sealant to protect the cork in the future.
5. Dry thoroughly to avoid mold
Leaving your cork damp or wet is a bad habit that will increase the risk of mold in your home, warns Lina Da Silva, professional cleaner. To prevent mold, she recommends leaving it to dry out in a well-ventilated area, by a window or heater, before putting it away. ‘Using a dehumidifier can help too, especially for larger pieces or floors,’ she adds.
FAQs
Can you clean cork with vinegar?
If you need to remove stains, mold, or sticky build-up from cork, cleaning with vinegar is a great solution. Use a damp (not wet) cloth or a toothbrush dipped in vinegar and water and gently rub the area to remove the marks. Afterward, dry completely to prevent further staining or mold growth.
As with many household cleaning tasks, cleaning cork is made a lot easier if you prevent mess, mold, and stains rather than let them build up to deal with later, reminds cleaning expert Ken Doty. ‘You can protect against future stains and damage by eliminating mess as soon as it occurs. Letting liquids soak into your cork will only make the damage harder to get out,’ he warns. Cleaning regularly and adding (and regularly reapplying) sealant will save you a lot of time and energy in the long run.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips. She was named one of Fixr's top home improvement journalists in 2024.
-
Living fence ideas – 5 ways to bring your yard boundary to life
Make a feature out of your garden fence by adorning it with greenery
By Tenielle Jordison Published
-
How to insulate a garage door – 2 ways to protect this storage spot in cold weather
Insulating tricks and tips from the pros to keep it warm in winter, and cool in summer
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
This easy 6-step weekend cleaning dopamine menu will set you right for the week ahead, say home pros
Try this new weekend routine to start the new week feeling refreshed and bright at home
By Seraphina Di Mizzurati Published
-
How to get water out of a carpet after a flood – and prevent damp, mold, and mildew from spreading
Ward off water damage and restore your home with these expert tricks
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
Cleaning pros share 11 ways to clean stainless steel pans for a sparkling finish
Our experts know just how to make your pans pop with their ingenious cleaning hacks
By Andy van Terheyden Published
-
These 6 surprising things are clogging your drains – here's how the experts deal with blockages
Don't let blocked drains drain your energy – eliminate these six common culprits
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
How to do laundry with sensitive skin – 9 essentials that ward off flare-ups
Sensitive skin doesn't have to be a sensitive topic. These nine laundry essentials make tough cycles a little simpler
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
How often should you clean a couch? Experts suggest it is more often than you think
Freshening up a couch is more than just a spring cleaning affair, experts warn
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
The 7 best tips for tackling winter messes – to keep your home clean and cozy
Professional cleaners and organizers share their top tips to beat seasonal stress and keep your home clean this winter
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
5 satisfying steps to clean teak outdoor furniture – for mid-summer refreshes and seasonal storage
Our expert-approved guide to cleaning and storing away after summer
By Ottilie Blackhall Published