Natural Stone: Tips on Maintenance
Prized throughout the centuries for its lasting strength and beauty, natural stone has long been considered the ultimate architectural and building material – synonymous for endurance. But the truth is, like any organic substance, natural stone is susceptible to wear and tear, spillages and the chemicals found in most common cleaners, so it can lose its natural shine and strength.
Of the four stones mentioned, marble is the softer one and less stain & scratch resistant. Granite is stronger than marble. It does not scratch as easily and it is generally more resistant in harsh environments. Quartz stone, like said, is a man-made material made of natural products. It, like granite, is resistant to stains and etching. It combines the hardness and durability of quartz with the exceptional low maintenance qualities of man-made materials (resin).
Natural stone is natural and as such is (more or less) porous and subject to damage. Chippings and breakages will not easily occur but that doesn’t mean that stone can take any force or hit. Moreover, without proper care and maintenance natural stone could stain and/or scratch. There are two critical steps to properly maintain the natural stone in your home or business: sealing and cleaning.
Sealing your stone with a quality sealer will prevent most spills from damaging it. There is a wide variety of sealers available, so you need to select one for your specific needs and natural stone type. The procedure of sealing is very simple and easy and should take place no more than once a year. Keeping natural stone free of dust and soil will minimize the scratches and wear-patterns that can develop from everyday use. Sweep or dust all natural stone surfaces regularly to remove soil and dust.
Clean natural stone with warm water and a clean, non-abrasive cloth, sponge or mop. You could use a neutral cleaner specially formulated for natural stone; it can help remove soils that normal dusting probably leaves behind. On the other hand, cleaners that are not specifically designed for stone are not recommended as they may damage the polishing, the colour or degrade the sealer.
Most importantly, you have to attend spillages immediately. Substances that are highly acidic, such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato products, mustard and many soft drinks, can damage natural stone, whether it is sealed or unsealed. Although sealing allows you time to wipe up a spill, it cannot stop the chemical reaction that may leave a dull area or etch mark in the stone. You must therefore act fast. Any spill should be cleaned as soon as possible. Absorb spills with a paper towel or clean rag. At this stage, it is important only to absorb; wiping a spill may spread it over a larger area, making a larger mess. Use only water or a neutral stone cleaner. Avoid using chemicals of any kind. Certain chemicals will react with the spilled material, and could make the stain permanent.
Here is a list of DOs and DON’Ts that will help you maintain your natural stone surface for ever:
- DO use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices, hot dishes or cookware
- DO use placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that may scratch your stone’s surface.
- DO dust stone countertops, vanities and floors frequently.
- DO attend spills immediately to minimize permanent damage to the stone.
- DO clean surfaces with just warm water
- DO use a specified neutral stone soap, if you must use a cleaner.
- DO use a clean, non-abrasive cloth, sponge or mop.
- DO dry the surfaces with a towel after washing.
- DO seal the stone as frequent as recommended.
- DON’T use vinegar, lemon, bleach or ammonia based or other general-purpose cleaners.
- DON’T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners.
- DON’T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
- DON’T use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for natural stone.
- DON’T allow the water used for washing to dry naturally.
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