All stone requires maintenance.
Every stone type needs regular care.
DON’T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia, other general-purpose cleaners, bathroom 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 stone.
DON’T use products that say they are good for marble too when ceramic or porcelain tiles are also recommended.
DON’T use scouring pads that will scratch the surface of the stone. White polishing pads are best.
DON’T sit or stand on your countertops.
DO use coasters under glasses,
DO use mats under hot dishes
DO use mats under objects that may scratch your stone’s surface.
DO use dust mops before mopping floors and dust mop regularly.
DO blot up spills immediately to minimize damage to the stone.
DO clean surfaces regularly with neutral cleaners designed for stone or a neutral cleaner with sealer in it.
DO use bath rugs around toilet and floor mats for marble and limestone floors
DO use nonacid toilet bowl cleaners for all-natural stone surfaces.
DO use trays for all soap and soap dispensers.
DO use Microfiber towels.
Why Do You Need to Seal Stone?
All stone needs to be sealed with a penetrating sealer, which leaves no coating on the surface of the stone. While the stone is trying to reject liquids that can leave a stain, these sealers give you more time to wipe up a spill.
Sealing is a must for all kitchen and bathroom areas.
Premium impregnators that reject liquids are worth the extra cost. Always require a small test of the proposed sealer on your stone.
Approve a sample tile or piece of slab before the sealing is done. Some sealers can slightly change the color of your stone. Do not assume that your builder, installer, or stone fabricator sealed your stone.
Topical vs. Impregnating vs. Laminate Sealers
Topical sealers are coatings that are designed to protect the surface of the stone from water, soil, food, etc.
Impregnators can be either water-based or solvent-based and are designed to penetrate the surface and become a repellent. In other words, they keep contaminants out but don’t stop moisture from evaporating.
Laminate sealers solve the etching and staining challenges that are constantly feared. Laminate sealers are installed like a cell phone screen protector. They are gas permeable, allowing the stone to breathe. They are liquid impermeable, making it to where wine could never damage your tops!