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A little caring for your stone will protect your investment for the long run. Following these simple steps
will ensure your stone stays just as beautiful as the day it was installed.
The care you give your stone will depend on which type of stone it is. Stone can be broken down into
two different groups with each group having different recommendations for care.
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| Cleaning |
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| Siliceous Stone |
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Includes: granite, slate, soapstone, quartzite
Cleaning siliceous stone should be an easy process.
These stones are more durable and can be cleaned with a mild acidic cleaning solution. Mild dishwashing soap, or any non-abrasive
cleaner will also work. |
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| Calcareous Stone |
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Includes: marble, travertine, limestone, onyx
Cleaning calcareous stone requires different cleaning
products. Because of it's sensitivity to acids, acidic cleaners should never be used on calcareous stones. Instead, use a
mild dishwashing soap diluted with plenty of water and a soft rag. |
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| Sealing |
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| All stones are porous and must be sealed periodically to prevent staining. The frequency of sealing
will depend on the use and the finish of the stone. In a heavily used kitchen or bathroom where spills are frequent or we recommend
sealing your stone every six months. Likewise, if your stone has a satin or honed finish we also recommend sealing every
six months. With a polished finish and less heavily used stones sealing once a year will suffice. The quality of sealer
used will determine how effective it is at preventing stains. We recommend purchasing a sealer from one of our stone suppliers
to ensure you are using a quality product. |
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| Stain Removal |
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The best way to prevent stains is staying current with sealing and taking immediate action
when spills do occur. Blot any spill with a paper towel to soak it up. Try not to spread the spill
by wiping it around. Flushing the area with water and mild soap will help break up any remaining
particles. Rinse the area with water and let dry.
If the stain remains or if
you didn't catch a spill and a stain develops, here are some actions to take for various
stains. With difficult stains you can call us and have us remove it for you. These stain removal tips have been taken
from the Marble Institute of America at http://marble-institute.com/consumerresources/care.cfm. |
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| Oil Based |
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(grease, tar, cooking oil, milk, cosmetics)
An oil-based stain will darken the stone and normally
must be chemically dissolved so the source of the stain can be flushed or rinsed away. Clean gently with a soft, liquid
cleanser with bleach OR household detergent OR ammonia OR mineral spirits OR acetone. |
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| Organic |
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(coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings)
May cause a
pinkish-brown stain and may disappear after the source of the stain has been removed. Outdoors, with the sources
removed, normal sun and rain action will generally bleach out the stains. Indoors, clean with 12% hydrogen peroxide
(hair bleaching strength) and a few drops of ammonia. |
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| Metal |
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(iron, rust, copper, bronze)
Iron or rust stains are orange to brown in color and follow the
shape of the staining object such as nails, bolts, screws, cans, flower pots, metal furniture. Copper and bronze stains
appear as green or muddy-brown and result from the action of moisture on nearby or embedded bronze, copper or brass items.
Deep-seated, rusty stains are extremely difficult to remove and the stone may be permanently stained. |
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| Ink |
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(magic marker, pen, ink)
Clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide (light colored stone only!)
or lacquer thinner or acetone (dark stones only!). |
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| Paint |
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| Small amounts can be removed with lacquer thinner or scraped off carefully with a razorblade. Heavy
paint coverage should be removed only with a commercial "heavy liquid" paint stripper available from hardware stores and
paint centers. These strippers normally contain caustic soda or lye. Do not use acids or flame tools to strip paint from
stone. Paint strippers can etch the surface of the stone; re-polishing may be necessary. Follow the manufacturer's
directions for use of these products, taking care to flush the area thoroughly with clean water. Protect yourself with
rubber gloves and eye protection, and work in a well-ventilated area. Use only wood or plastic scrapers for removing the
sludge and curdled paint. Normally, latex and acrylic paints will not cause staining. Oil-based paints, linseed oil,
putty, caulks and sealants may cause oily stains. Refer to the section on oil-based stains. |
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| Water Spots and Rings |
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(surface accumulation of hard water)
Buff with dry 0000 steel wool. |
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| Fire and Smoke Damage |
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| Older stones and smoke or fire stained fireplaces may require a thorough cleaning to restore
their original appearance. Commercially available "smoke removers" may save time and effort. |
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| Etch Marks |
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| Etch marks are caused by acids left on the surface of the stone. Some materials will etch the
finish but not leave a stain. Others will both etch and stain. Once the stain has been removed, wet the surface with
clear water and sprinkle on marble polishing powder, available from a hardware or lapidary store, or your local stone
dealer. Rub the powder onto the stone with a damp cloth or by using a buffing pad with a low-speed power drill.
Continue buffing until the etch mark disappears and the marble surface shines. Contact your stone dealer or call a
professional stone restorer for refinishing or re-polishing etched areas that you cannot remove.
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| Efflorescence |
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| Efflorescence is a white powder that may appear on the surface of the stone. It is caused by water
carrying mineral salts from below the surface of the stone rising through the stone and evaporating. When the water
evaporates, it leaves the powdery substance. If the installation is new, dust mop or vacuum the powder. You may have to
do this several times as the stone dries out. Do not use water to remove the powder; it will only temporarily disappear.
If the problem persists, contact your installer to help identify and remove the cause of the moisture. |
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| Scratches and Nicks |
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| Slight surface scratches may be buffed with dry 0000 steel wool. Deeper scratches and nicks in the surface
of the stone should be repaired and re-polished by a professional. |
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