Take Care of your Stone's

While the primary concern of most people is the upkeep of Natural stone's, it takes the same care and maintenance as any countertop or floor, and no more than wood tables and chairs. Preventative stone care is ideal. Prevention is easier than the removal of stains or scratches.

Granite is stain- and scratch-resistant. As a precaution, wipe up spills quickly. Don't leave liquid overnight. Oil and acid can discolour granite, so clean up spills quickly and use mild soap and water.

Fruit, tomato sauce, coffee, and wine discolour marble counters and tabletops. Blot spills and clean with mild soap and hot water. Set hot pans on stone carefully. Put a mat or pad between marble and pans or utensils that could scratch it. Use coasters between marble and acidic glasses like juice, wine, or coffee.

Regular cleaning is the best floor preventive. Dirt and grit can wear away marble or granite tile finishes when ground. A dust mop may keep dirt off the floor and protect the polish. Use entry mats to protect your floor's finish. Mop with hot water often and change the rinse water. If the floor is unclean, use a neutral stone cleaner or a moderate (non-oil-based) dish detergent.

Marble, granite, and tile all collect soap scum in bathrooms. Keep a squeegee for shower walls and rinse vanities and stone sinks often. Towel-dry them.

Sealers are another effective preventive. Ask your dealer about countertops and sealants. If not, ask for a high-quality, food-grade sealer and follow the manufacturer's instructions. This sealer must be reapplied. Sealer and stone type determine how often to apply. Flooring and bathroom sealers can penetrate. Additional sealer applications depend on the stone type, frequency of usage, and manufacturer's recommendations.

You can remove stains and scratches yourself. Remove oil-based stains from granite with acetone, mineral spirits, or diluted bleach or ammonia. (NEVER combine bleach and ammonia!) Food stains may usually be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. Avoid strong cleansers and vinegar on marble countertops.

Sparingly use ammonia to remove bath soap scum. Ammonia dulls marble over time, so use it only when a mild, neutral detergent and hot water won't remove soap scum.

Minerals in water generate water stains and rings, which can be cleaned using 00 steel wool. The same goes for nicks and scratches. Call your local stone dealer for help with larger scratches, nicks, and stains.