How to Maintain Your Costly Stone Surfaces- Stone Care Tips for Every Homeowner

Regular care is a must for your stone surfaces.

Natural stone surfaces that are regularly and correctly maintained will retain their magnificent look and feel for longer. There is no meaning in having costly stone surfaces if they don’t look fabulous. A little expertise from The Marble Man can do the wonders - stone care, stone restoration, marble repair etc. 

Benchtops
Clean the stone surface with a recommended product such as S-P Cleaner and a soft damp cloth after use to avoid the build up of bacteria and substances that may scratch or etch the surface. Spills are to be removed  immediately as acidic substances such as juice, coffee, tea, vinegar and wine will etch the surface of marble or limestone benchtops. Rinse the area after cleaning with fresh water to remove all excess dirt and detergent and dry with a soft cloth. DO NOT use abrasive cleaners or scourers, as scratches are highly visible on a glossy surface.

Floors 
Sweep floors on a daily basis to prevent dirt from scratching the surface under foot and accumulating in the grout. A broom with soft bristles may be used but the most effective and gentle method for cleaning smooth surfaces is to use a Microfibre Mop, which has a soft pad. It can be used wet or dry. The mop we recommend comes with a large swivel head which makes sweeping quick and easy. It picks up the dirt and dust as it glides and can be easily manoeuvred into corners. The microfibre pad can then be removed and rinsed thoroughly.

Vacuum rough textured stone surfaces, as this is more effective than sweeping. The suction will pull the dirt from within the textured surface.Mop on a regular basis after sweeping or vacuuming. Damp mopping can be carried out with a damp Microfibre Mop to pick up any residual dirt after sweeping. Wet mopping or washing should be carried out with a wet Microfibre Mop, warm water and a recommended product such as S-P Cleaner, to give a more thorough clean. Rinse the stone floor after mopping to ensure the dirty water is completely removed from the surface.

Showers
Remove soap scum effectively by using a recommended product such as Stone Deep Clean and a recommended white pad scourer such as the Scrub-a-dub. DO NOT use acidic or abrasive products such as Ajax, Jif, Exit Mould, Domestos, Shower Power etc as these will dull the surface of the stone, especially marble and limestone. To prevent the build up of soap scum and mould the cleaner must be gentle enough not to damage the surface but effective enough to cut through the build-up and kill bacteria.

Remove mould effectively by using a mild bleach solution of 1 cup household bleach to 4 cups water and apply with a sponge, only to the affected areas. Leave on for no more than ten minutes then rinse off thoroughly with water. DO NOT allow bleach to accumulate on the floor of the shower, as it will dull the surface. Rinse the entire area. DO NOT mix bleach with ammonia, as it will cause a toxic chemical reaction. Be aware that over time if not done correctly this procedure may dull the stone surface.

Dry the area as thoroughly as possible after cleaning to prevent the growth of mould and mildew. Stone tiles in showers must be sealed professionally after installation and silicon applied in the corners and around edges to prevent moisture from accumulating behind the tiles. The grout must also be sealed professionally to prevent it from holding water and encouraging mould growth.

Outdoor areas
Sweep outdoor areas weekly with a medium bristled brush, as dirt can accumulate quickly and settle in the grooves of textured surfaces.

Hose the surface monthly using clean water and a mild neutral stone detergent such as S-P Cleaner to remove excess dirt. A heavy duty clean should be carried out yearly. If neglected, outdoor areas can look dull and stained due to the accumulation of dirt and pollutants. Many outdoor areas have slip resistant, textured surfaces, which can become difficult to clean if left too long without maintenance.

Remove organic growth such as algae, moss or lichen as soon as possible using only a scourer recommended by your stone care professional such as the white Scrub-a-dub. DO NOT use a wire brush. Clean the area with a sponge and a mild chlorine solution of 1cup chlorine to 4 cups water to kill bacteria. 

Furniture and ornaments

Dust furniture and ornaments regularly with a damp cloth to trap any dirt on the surface of the stone as a build up of dust, oils and dirt, can etch the surface of some stones. Repeat with a clean, dry, soft cloth to polish and remove streaks.

Clean monthly with a recommended product such as S-P Cleaner, but DO NOT use products such as Mr Sheen as these will leave a waxy build up on the surface of the furniture or ornaments. As they are not subject to the same wear as a stone floor they do not need cleaning with detergent as often. Regular dusting and wiping with warm water and a soft cloth should suffice.

Visit our website for more info on stone care and maintenance. Call our friendly staff on 1300 627 626 for a free stone restoration quote.

Natural Stone Experts Discuss Standard Cleaning Practice for Granite Counter Tops

Is there a best way to clean granite countertops? If you ask three persons, there will be four different answers for this! “You can use Windex.  No, never use Windex.” “Use special granite cleaner. No, you do not need special granite cleaner; simple cleaner is enough,” etc. etc.

After doing extensive research, the natural stone cleaning experts on the Gold Coast, Australia discovered how to take care of granite. You do not need any special cleaners to make the counter tops look shiny, fresh and attractive.

Essential Facts on Cleaning Granite:

Do’s:                                                                                                       

• Ensure the granite surface is sealed. Granite is very hard and competitively less porous than marble. However, weak or unsealed granite will easily soak up spills, stains and oils. To check the sealing of granite, place few drops of water on the granite surface. If the water drops beads up, your counter top is securely sealed. If after few minutes, the water got soaked into the granite, it is time to reseal it.
• Wipe up the food spills as soon as you notice them.
• Use warm water, gentle dish wash soap, microfiber cloth for daily wipe downs.

Don’ts:

Do not use harsh and abrasive cleaners & sponges, acidic cleaners, vinegar, lemon, lime, ammonia or bleach. Frequent application of these chemicals will dull and darken the sealant over a period of time. The harsher the cleaner, the quicker it breaks down the sealant.

What to do for Disinfecting a granite countertop? 

A granite counter top which has been sealed well is highly impervious to bacteria. Sanitize granite countertop regularly to keep down the population of bacteria that healthy immune system of human beings can handle.  A Brazilian/Portuguese study reveals that 590 percent more bacteria can live on a granite surface comparing to a plastic surface like polypropylene polyethylene. So to prevent colonisation of bacteria, sanitising the granite countertop is very important. 

To properly sanitise and clean granite counter tops, all you need are warm water, gentle dish wash, dish cloth, terry cloth towel, and 91 percent isopropyl alcohol. The granite cleaning procedure is as follows:

• Wet the dish cloth with warm soapy water.  Initially fill the sink with warm water and mild dish soap, and then wet the clean dish cloth.
• Now wipe the granite countertop to remove any spills or crumbs on it.
• To avoid streaking, dry with a micro fibre cloth or terry cloth towel.

About Special safe cleaners for granite: 
There are different granite cleaners available in the market. Some all purpose surface cleaners specify that they are safe to use for granite cleaning. Use them only if you’re sure about it, or else ask a stone restoration specialist. 

To periodically disinfect your granite counter top, restore the shine and remove any residue, you can mix equal amount of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol. Spray the solution on the surface of the granite. Allow it to be there for three to five minutes, then you can rinse with water. Dry the surface with clean microfiber cloth.

This way you can enjoy shiny, nice cleaned granite counter tops. If you would like to have regular granite sealing and maintenance in Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Gold Coast, Central Coast, Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, call Australia‘s No.1 stone polishing and sealing specialist, ‘The Marble Man’. Their team of professionals will provide affordable and appropriate sealing, restoration and maintenance services after checking your granite counter tops. You can contact them by visiting their website or calling them on 1300-627-626.