General Steps and Recommendations for Cleaning any kind of Natural Stone Surface

Recommendations for cleaning natural stone surface are given in the following. The stone needs a special care so that its beauty and elegance prevail over time. Simple care and maintenance will help preserve the stone’s beauty for generations to come. Advisors recommend periodic cleaning of the natural stone. Sweep using a soft brush for polished surfaces, and medium bristles for a textured surface.

You can also vacuum, as long as the vacuum is in good condition as worn out vacuums can harm stone floors. Additionally, dry mopping with a non-treated cloth is another effective and safe way to keep your floors pristine. 

Kitchen Counters

Ideally, granite kitchen countertop because is very hygienic and easy to clean. If you decide on marble, however, then honed natural finish with no shine is best, as it is easier to manage. You can scrub your honed marble counter using abrasives, bleach, and soaps with a scouring pad without worrying about damage.

Rinse well and dry afterward using a soft cloth. Honed marble also is less likely to show etching as clearly as polished marble. Remove excess water immediately using a squeegee. Hard water is particularly damaging to stone, so clean up using a neutral soap scum powder or a solution of half a cup of ammonia in one gallon of water once a month or so. Use mild bleach in clear water in hot tubs to remove algae or moss.

Exteriors

Keep steps, paths, walkways, and garden ornaments free from dirt by sweeping and washing often. Ultimately, that’s the major trade-off when doing marble applications outside. You’re going to need to be on top of routine maintenance such as sealing and cleaning.

Periodic Care

Wash floors occasionally using clean lukewarm water, drying afterward with a soft cloth. Cleaning with a suitable cleaner, double rinsing and drying about twice a month keeps your marble floors free from soil and prevents graying. Inspect exterior tiles regularly for signs of damage due to weathering, pollutants in the atmosphere, or moisture damage and clean as often as required.

You can try easy-to-use specialty products to remove smoke and soot from your fireplace. Ask your stone dealer for Cleaning Natural Stone: Stone is natural and may have adverse reactions to certain cleaning chemicals and procedures. The way to keep your new or old stone lovely is to keep it clean. Remember that if natural stone is given the proper care, the stone should sustain its beauty and durability.

General Recommendations for Cleaning Natural Stone

Following are our general recommendations for the continuing care and cleaning of your natural stone surfaces:

To keep natural stone floors beautiful, it is critically important to keep dirt from settling into the surface, because it acts as an abrasive and can ruin both the look and durability of the stone. To help prevent the capture of dirt from normal foot traffic getting onto the floor:

• To remove any dirt that makes it onto the floor, sweep frequently with a brush-free vacuum cleaner or a dry dust mop.
• Use a small rug or welcome mat near all entrances.
• Don’t leave spills, especially orange juice, lemonade, wine, vinegar, liquors, tomato sauce, yogurt, salad dressing, perfume, after shave etc. Wipe up these types of spills with a cloth or sponge right away, even if the natural stone has been sealed.

Things to Consider Before Mopping

While it is recommended that the entire floor be dust mopped daily, the floor should be damp mopped or machine scrubbed with a neutral cleaner or stone soap two-three times per week. There are a few things to consider prior to mopping:

• First, all dry soils should be removed from the surface with either a broom, or a vacuum cleaner prior to mopping.
• When mopping, it is important to use the proper cleaning solution, or you may damage the surface. Don’t clean your natural stone using a solution of water with a commercially available cleaner, unless its label specifically indicates that it is safe to use on natural. The cleaning solution should also be properly pH balanced so that it will not damage the surface or compromise the integrity of any protective sealers that may have been applied previously.
• It is very important to rinse the tile and grout thoroughly to remove any remaining cleaner.
• Dry with soft cloth or cotton-flannel, and allow to thoroughly air-dry.

 General Steps for any kind of Natural Stone Surface:

• Sweep to remove any dirt particles.
• Fill a recipient of warm water and use only water, or mix it with a small amount of neutral liquid All-Purpose-Cleaner, detergent or cleaning solutions specific for stone. Change the solution when it starts to get dirty.
• Dip a microfiber towel, a duster or a mop into the water mixture and start cleaning.
• Wash the area by starting at the corner of the room and working methodically towards the room exit.
• Allow air circulation in the room for a quick drying.

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Sources

nassarstone.com/stone-care

lsi-stone.com/2020/02/18/how-to-clean-and-what-not-to-do-in-the-cleaning-of-natural-stone/