Showing posts with label marble countertop cleaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marble countertop cleaning. Show all posts

Monday, 2 November 2015

Benefits & Drawbacks of Marble and Granite Countertops- a Comparative Study


Natural stones such as granite and marble are used as a favoured material for various structures for centuries. They are highly regarded for their durability, aesthetic appeal, performance and longevity. The granite and marble countertops are quite impressive and speak about sophistication and luxury.
  Both the stones transform an ordinary interior decor into elegant space. They considerably increase the market value of a home; increase its potential for higher price and quicker sale.   

MARBLE: Formed from sedimentary carbonate rocks through metamorphic formation, the marble stone is truly unique and they are distinguished by veins of various mineral deposits that includes clay, quartz, iron-oxide, fine-grained chart, silt and other sediments. The materials are fused together naturally under great pressure forming different kinds of patterns of swirls in different ranges of colours such as white, cream, red, grey, blue, pink and green.

Apart from ornamental use, marble stone is also suitable for building applications such as marble flooring, marble sink, marble counter top and marble dining table. In addition it is used as columns, bathtubs, tiles, fireplace mantels, window sills etc.

Benefits of marble:
  • It increases the real estate value of a house because of the professionally worked high quality marble used in structure and design.
  • It is a unique material choice, No two pieces look alike.
  • It enhances the decor and aesthetic appeal with matchless beauty.
  • This natural stone is highly durable if properly cared for.
  • It provides a good sanitary surface.
  • It is easy to disinfect, improves the indoor quality of the air, and does not trap dust, pollens and other allergens.
  • It is cooler in warmer and hot summer than other types of stone choices for flooring.

Marble has few negatives also such as:
  • It is expensive, and easily gets scratches,
  • Can get damage when in direct contact with hot items,
  • Requires routine resealing,
  • Stains easily and should be wiped promptly,
  • Requires annual restoration for its maintenance.

GRANITE: Like marble, granite is another popular stone, visually impressive and coveted for its rich elegance. It is a composite of fused elements like mica, quartz and feldspar which influences the colour of the granite. It is formed deep in the earth with intense pressure for thousands of years to become marvellous granite.

Granite is incredibly hard, durable, tough and versatile. It is removed from earth as huge blocks and used after precision cutting and polishing into granite slabs and tiles.

Granite with different colours and mottled patterns is used as countertops and tiles for residential use in kitchen and bathroom. The major benefits of granite are:
  • Competitive price than any other natural stone.
  • It resists moisture and scratching, and is resilient to heat.
  • Cleaning granite is very easy and it is known for its self cleaning ability and sanitation comparing to other natural stones.
  • Once polished, it maintains the shiny and lustre appearance.
  • It endures extreme temperature and resists wear.
  • It is highly durable and popular for its longevity.
  • Each piece of granite is unique.

Despite resistance and durability to water, spills on natural stone surfaces should be wiped up and cleaned immediately to prevent etching. Coasters should be used under glass vessels when carrying hot items.

Natural stone counter tops create a dramatic appearance to your kitchen and bathrooms. They are becoming the preferred choice as they complement any decor and are budget friendly.

Maintenance of granite and marble countertops is made easy with regular sealing and restoration works by stone care professionals. The Marble Man has been doing the stone restoration for over 20 years and they are the best choice for all your store counter top maintenance. The technicians at The Marble Man offer guaranteed stone restoration work and service Queensland and NSW regions.

Thursday, 20 August 2015

Regular Cleaning and Maintenance Can Keep Your Carrara Marble in Pristine Condition


When you come to the world of marble, you can identify that Carrara is in the top order! It is available in various shades such as white, grey etc.. It suits to any type of décor and its color variances are the epitome for the marble. Carrara needs special care – because it’s light in color, any lapse in maintenance will be easily visible.

How to carry out the regular maintenance on Carrara Marble?
  • Clean the marble with cleaners specifically for marble- take advice from stone restoration specialists. Avoid using soap and abrasive on the marble.  
  • Seal the marble at least two to four times every year with a quality marble sealant. The regular application of sealant prevents the stone from absorbing moisture and spills prolonging its life and beauty. When you are using the sealant for the Carrara marble in your kitchen counter tops ensure the product is safe for food production areas. You can do the sealing with the support  of Marble restoration professionals like The Marble Man.
  •  Marble Polishing has to be done as needed that removes rough texture called etching. It needs proper equipment and products. Contact reliable marble polishing and stone restoration specialists to do the work.
It is also advisable to hire a stone professional like The Marble Man to repair any cracks or deep etching on the marble surface. They can smooth it by polishing and they apply sealant to make it resistant to etching. DO not repair the cracks or etching on your own as it may further damage the surface.

How to handle stains on Carrara Marble? 
You can try the following methods after getting proper advice and guidelines from The Marble Man stone care specialists:
  • You can remove ink stains using household bleach. Apply the bleach with the clean cloth until the stain get removed and then rinse with clean water and dry it with soft cloth. The food stains can be removed by applying hydrogen peroxide.
  • Get rid of water spot rings by buffing the stone lightly with steel wool. Take care to buff only the water spot area and not more than that.
  • Kill mildew or mould with diluted ammonia by mixing half cup of ammonia with one gallon of water. Remove oil based stains with dish washing detergent. After removing the stains always clean the Carrara Marble with clean water and dry it buffing with clean soft cloth. 
Regular maintenance will keep your Carrara Marble counter top shiny and enhance its life span. Call The Marble Man for regular countertop Maintenance at an affordable rate. Their well experienced team of stone specialists can carry out all sorts of marble repair, marble countertop polishing, stone maintenance, natural stone restoration etc. For more information, call The Marble Man on 1300 627 626 for a free quote.