Faber Magic 123 — Heavy-Duty Multi-Surface Cleaning Paste

Magic 123 is Faber’s heavy-duty multi-surface cleaning paste — a ready-to-use formulation built for the cleaning jobs where a standard liquid cleaner isn’t enough and where the wrong cleaning paste could cause damage.

Two things make it stand out. First, the paste format: on rough, textured and structured surfaces, liquid cleaners run off before they can dwell and work. The paste stays in contact with the full surface profile — grout lines, craquelé glazes, rough stone, textured ceramics — and lets the surfactant blend penetrate and lift ingrained soiling properly.

Second, the pH. At 6.5, Magic 123 sits in near-neutral territory. That matters enormously on sensitive surfaces — marble, limestone, travertine, brass, copper, and polished glazed finishes — that are routinely damaged by alkaline cleaning pastes operating at pH 8–10 or above. Near-neutral means no etching risk on acid-sensitive stone, no dulling of polished metals, no stripping of surface finishes.

Is It Safe on Marble and Natural Stone?

This is the question that matters most for anyone with natural stone surfaces — and the answer depends entirely on the pH of the cleaner.

Marble, limestone and travertine are calcium carbonate-based stones. They react with acids (pH below 7) and over time with strongly alkaline cleaners (pH above 9) — etching the surface, stripping polish and causing irreversible dullness. Many heavy-duty cleaning pastes sit well into alkaline territory, which is why they leave marble looking worse after cleaning.

Magic 123 at pH 6.5 sits just below neutral — outside the risk zone for acid-sensitive stone and well away from the alkaline damage threshold. It will clean marble, travertine and limestone surfaces effectively without etching or dulling the finish. For anyone with a natural stone kitchen worktop, bathroom floor, or stone-tiled surface, this is a material practical difference.

How It Compares to Strongly Alkaline Cleaning Pastes

Some of the most widely marketed cleaning pastes in the UK operate at pH 8–10 and contain abrasive particles including crystalline silica alongside sodium carbonate. Whilst they are effective general-purpose cleaners on robust surfaces, that combination creates real risks on sensitive materials:

• Marble, limestone, travertine — alkaline pH and abrasive particles can etch and scratch the surface over repeated use
• Polished granite and quartz — abrasive particles risk micro-scratching the polished finish
• Brass, copper and decorative metals — alkaline pH strips protective patinas and dulls polished finishes
• Glazed ceramic and porcelain — repeated abrasive cleaning degrades the glaze surface over time
• Glass — alkaline residue causes smearing and long-term bloom on glass surfaces

Magic 123 at pH 6.5 without aggressive abrasive particles addresses all of these. It cleans effectively through surfactant action in a paste carrier — not through abrasion — making it the correct choice on any surface where you cannot afford to risk the finish.

Where to Use Magic 123

Stone and tile — professional and domestic:

• Marble, travertine, limestone, granite, natural stone
• Porcelain, ceramic, craquelé ceramic, terracotta, concrete, quartz

Metals:

• Steel, brass, copper — cleaning and light oxidation removal without stripping polished finishes

Glass:

• Including combustion residues, smoke marks and glass soiled by environmental deposits

Flexible and synthetic surfaces:

• Rubber, linoleum, PVC, plastic — including shoe soles, car rims and garden furniture

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

Consumer Applications — Problems Magic 123 Solves

Stone kitchen worktops Granite, marble and quartz worktops are routinely damaged by alkaline cleaning products used repeatedly over time. Magic 123 cleans effectively without the pH risk — safe for daily use on stone worktops.

Natural stone bathroom floors and walls Marble and limestone bathroom tiles, shower trays and wall tiles are acid and alkali sensitive. Magic 123 is the safe choice for removing soap scum, limescale deposits on grout lines and general bathroom soiling without damaging the stone finish.

Grout lines and textured surfaces The paste format is specifically effective in grout lines, craquelé glazes and textured tile profiles where liquid cleaners don’t maintain contact. Work the paste in with a stiff brush or sponge and rinse.

Polished brass and copper fixtures Taps, handles, kickplates and decorative metalwork — clean and remove light oxidation without stripping the surface finish.

Garden furniture and outdoor surfaces Textured stone paving, composite decking surrounds, metal furniture frames, glass table tops — one paste for a mixed outdoor surface clean.

Car rims and rubber Brake dust, road grime and rubber soiling — the paste format maintains contact on curved and textured rim surfaces where sprays run off.

Application

Equipment: White pad, microfibre cloth or sponge — select based on the material and soiling level.

Steps:

1. Test on an unexposed area before full application — especially on polished or delicate finishes
2. Take a small amount of paste with your chosen applicator
3. Wet the applicator and work the paste onto the surface in circular motions until foam forms
4. Continue working the cleaner across the affected area
5. Rinse thoroughly with clean water until all residues are removed
6. Repeat if heavy soiling persists

A little goes a long way — start with a small amount and build up as needed.

Physical & Technical Data

How Magic 123 Fits into a Professional Surface Care Workflow

Magic 123 sits in the targeted spot-clean and difficult-surface niche within a professional toolkit. It is not a replacement for dedicated alkaline strippers or acidic descalers on large floor areas, but it is the right tool when:

• A surface is too textured or structured for a liquid cleaner to maintain contact
• Mixed materials need cleaning in one pass — stone alongside metal fittings, glass, rubber trims
• You need near-neutral pH to protect sensitive surfaces during cleaning
• Stubborn spot soiling, oxidised metal or ingrained grime requires targeted paste application

For large-area alkaline stripping on stone and tile floors use Faber CottoSolv. For mould and organic soiling use Faber 30. For acid descaling use Faber Deterfug. Magic 123 is the correct choice when surface type, texture or mixed-material context makes those products unsuitable or where protecting a sensitive finish is the priority.

Q: Is Faber Magic 123 safe to use on marble? A: Yes. Faber Magic 123 has a near-neutral pH of 6.5, which means it is safe on acid-sensitive stones including marble, limestone and travertine. Strongly alkaline cleaning pastes (pH 8–10) can etch and dull marble surfaces over repeated use — Magic 123 avoids this risk entirely.

Q: Is Magic 123 the same as the Pink Stuff? A: Both are cleaning pastes in a 500g format, but the chemistry is different. Magic 123 has a near-neutral pH of 6.5 and works through surfactant action in a paste carrier. It is specifically safe on marble, natural stone, polished metals and glazed surfaces. Strongly alkaline cleaning pastes contain abrasive particles and operate at pH 8–10, which creates damage risks on those same surfaces over repeated use.

Q: Can I use Magic 123 on porcelain tiles? A: Yes — Magic 123 is suitable for porcelain, full-body porcelain and ceramic tiles. The paste format is particularly effective on textured and structured tile profiles where liquid cleaners don’t maintain surface contact.

Q: How much do I need per application? A: A little goes a long way — start with a small amount on a wet applicator, work to foam and build up only if needed. A 500g jar covers a significant number of applications for targeted cleaning tasks.

Q: Can Magic 123 be used outdoors? A: Yes — Magic 123 is suitable for indoor and outdoor applications including stone paving, garden furniture, glass and metal surfaces.

Storage & Safety

Store the container tightly closed in a cool, dry place. Use appropriate personal protective equipment during application and follow the product SDS. In the event of accidental spillage, absorb with paper towels or absorbent material and dispose of appropriately.