Caring for Natural Stone
To keep its quality and shine, use the following tips to take care of your natural stone.
CLEANING PROCEDURES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Floor Surfaces
Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt, and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt, and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.
Other Surfaces
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores or from your stone dealer), or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.
Bath and Wet Areas
In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.
Food Preparation Areas
In food preparation areas, the stone may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for recommendations. If a sealer is applied, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces. If there are questions, check with the sealer manufacturer.
Vanity Top Surfaces
Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for recommendations. A good quality marble wax or non-yellowing automobile paste wax can be applied to minimize water spotting.
Outdoor Pool and Patio Areas
In outdoor pool, patio, or hot tub areas, flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.
DO’S AND DON’TS
DO’s
- DO Dust mop floors frequently.
- DO Clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap.
- DO Thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing.
- DO Blot up spills immediately.
- DO Protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats.
DON’Ts
- DON’T Use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces.
- DON’T Use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners.
- DON’T Use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
- DON’T Mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
- DON’T Ever mix chemicals together unless directions specifically instruct you to do so.
Call Marmara Corporation for problems that appear too difficult to treat. For more information, please visit the Marble Institute of America.
