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.

Restore Your Dull Stone Surfaces with Professional Cleaning, Sealing & Polishing

Enhance the beauty and value of your house, property or other business establishments by installing stunning stone surfaces. Being the proud owner of a lovely home or office building, you must ensure that your precious stones get ideal care and maintenance by the best stone restoration specialists.

Marble, limestone, travertine, onyx and terrazzo benchtops, bar tops and vanities can become quite dull, stained, dirty and etched from acidic substances over time and need the sophisticated repair, stone polishing and sealing processes used by The Marble Man. You can always contact our expert technical team for post restoration care and maintenance.

The professional way to stop stains on stone is to treat it with a protective sealer as recommended by The Marble Man. One should understand that marble and other stone surfaces are porous and so water, oils or other liquids can easily penetrate the stone, leaving behind unwanted stains unless properly sealed. These stains look like dirty, dull ring and drip marks and can spoil the natural reflection of a marble or stone benchtop, bar top or vanity. 

By sealing the stone surfaces you will extend the life of your floor, benchtop or bathroom for many years to come. The grade of the sealer should be selected according to the type of the stone surface. The Marble Man team offers a huge range of sealing products to produce a long lasting stone surface that you will enjoy for years to come.

Before sealing, the stone surface is to be properly cleaned. Here also one should be careful in the selection of the cleaner as it should conform to the unique mineral composition of the stone. The Marble Man uses chemical, abrasion, and heat methods for cleaning the stone. If you go for cheap cleaners from the local market, it’ll break down the sealer, making the stone vulnerable to stains. Improper stone care and maintenance may impart a desired appearance initially, but it can cause steady deterioration and if continued for longer periods, may completely damage the stones.

The Marble Man offers custom plans for maintenance and stone care for both residential customers and commercial applications. Our professionally trained staff are available online and on the phone to answer your questions.

The Marble Man stone care services cover: Gold Coast|Brisbane|Sunshine Coast|Byron Bay|Sydney|Canberra|Newcastle|Central Coast. If you would like us to inspect your stone and advise on its repair or restoration, an experienced team member will visit at a time convenient to you and provide a no obligation, free quote. Call our office today on 1300 627 626 or email us to book your onsite evaluation. 

Well Maintained Marble Makes Your Home or Property Stand Apart from the Rest

Marble is often used in flooring to enhance the home decor. With all its whirling patterns and shade variations, the marble surface has a refreshing and inspirational look and feel, that no other material (concrete, wood etc.) can claim.  But one thing to keep in mind that while laying the marble tiles, one should always use matching patterns on the floors, walls etc. While replacing a marble tile, it is very important to use one from the same original batch.

Marble, like most natural stone tiles, needs quality maintenance. It must be sealed and cleaned regularly with the help of professionals such as The Marble Man. Our top-notch restoration procedures bring out the beauty and detail in marble surfaces.

For sealing, The Marble Man team uses several different sealers to protect your marble floors. Sealing is a must have investment in the future longevity of your new or existing marble floor. We offer a huge range of sealing products to suit your requirements; featuring: Wet look enhancing sealers; Penetrating sealer for marble, limestone, travertine; Penetrating sealer for natural granite; Penetrating sealers for sandstone; Penetrating sealers for concrete.

For cleaning your marble surface, use only a mild detergent solution (a pH-neutral dish soap or clear ammonia diluted with water) or better go for a Marble Man product specially designed for marble. We use advanced cleaning methods involving chemical, abrasion, and heat treatment.

Never set your drink down on a marble surface (it will leave a stain if the marble surface was not sealed) and wipe up any spills immediately as they can stain or etch your costly marble because it has a porous surface. Marble is much softer than granite and wears down much easier as well. Handle it with care!

Honing & Polishing: Marble floors with high-traffic areas eventually turn dull when natural crystal patterns within the stone erode from abrasion of dirt, sand and shoes. Honing is a mix of repair and polishing done on a marble surface to bring back its sheen.

Polishing gives marble its luster and for that The Marble Man uses the cleaning, repairing and honing procedures. We use the latest diamond abrasive technology, polishing compounds and a dustless grinding system to return the beautiful natural reflection, and smooth finish to your marble. 

Your stone floor is what makes your home or property stand apart from the rest so it deserves to be looking its best. Take the frustration out of cleaning your dull, stained or worn marble floors today.  We will come and give you a FREE Stone Care Evaluation valued around $300. Don’t let anyone else touch your floor; it deserves the best professional stone care in the market! Call now: 1300 627 626, or send us some snaps of your stone surface through our Website.