Granite and Marble Benchtop- Useful Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

There are so many reasons to choose marble and granite flooring for your home. They are hard and durable as well as look stunning and can completely transform your rooms into amazing spaces. However, being natural materials, they demand special attention. The major issue with granite and marble cleaning is that these stones do not have similar properties as those of a ceramic tile and hence can be damaged by conventional cleaning methods. Knowing how to clean marble and granite is important and requires an extra little effort.

Prevention is far better than cure. Natural stone cleaning experts always recommend use of floor mat at the entrance of the house so that dirt, dust and small stone particles are trapped and prevented from entering the house and damaging the floor. Cleaning marble or granite floor and protecting them from probable stains comprise few easy steps:

• Take a soft cloth and put small amount of recommended stone cleaner or mild dishwashing soap and cold water on it.
• Gently rub the stain in the direction of the grain in straight line. Always test the product by applying it on a small area first.
• When the stain disappears, use a clean and dry cloth to buff the area and bring back the shine. 

If your stone benchtop shows some marks or is stained, what can you do?

Read on:

• When benchtops are badly stained, there's no better cure than drastic action. So cleaning up spills immediately protects the bench top from further deterioration.
• Anything acidic should not be used for cleaning. Do not use abrasive cleaners to clean stone bench tops. Always clean up wine spills as it is also acidic.
• Remember to read the manufacturer's instructions before using a product.
• Use mild detergent or soupy water to clean the stain on bench top and then dry it using a soft dry cloth.

The most common mistake we do while cleaning natural stone is using cleaners or other products not suited to the type of stone. This can be very harmful. Let's find out the things that we should never use while cleaning marble or granite:

• Conventional floor cleaning products. Instead use specialized marble cleaning product.
• Ceramic tile cleaners. They are unsuitable for marble or granite.
• Anything that’s either very acidic or very alkaline such as vinegar.
• Rough cloths or pads.
• Vacuum cleaners. The wheels and hoses can scratch the stone surfaces. 

Dealing with Natural stone repair and maintenance is an easy job now with the efficient assistance and trustworthy services of TheMarble Man, Australia's best natural stone restoration company. Its trained technicians offer expert advice on maintenance tactics and when exactly your stone needs repair and restoration. For more information on natural stone restoration in Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Central Coast, Newcastle, Sydney etc., give them a call now: 1300 627 626.