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.

Know Some of the Potential Damages to Natural Stone Surfaces, Their Causes and Remedies

Granite, Marble limestone and other valuable decorative stones are highly durable and last a life time. However, if they are not properly cared for or installed correctly, it’ll affect their beauty and durability.  

Following are the most common issues with natural stone surfaces that may occur in your floor tiles, kitchen counter tops, vanity tops and other stone surfaces:

• LOSS OF LUSTRE:  High polish in the marble and granite gets lost due to wear of the stone surface by dirt and sand that are tracked by the shoes. They act like sandpaper on the stone surface and wear the polish off. This can be restored by stone repair and restoration professionals like The Marble Man.
• ETCHING: It is caused by spilling of liquids that contain acids, resulting in white spots formation on the stone surface. As granite is acid resistant, it will rarely etch, but marble and other stone surfaces are prone to etching.  Use cleaners that do not contain acids to avoid etching. Deep or large etching requires professional stone restoration services.  
• STAINS: If the stones are not properly sealed, stains can occur due to spilling of food, drinks, oil, and ink etc. Mostly they can be removed but tough stains need professional stone care services. Permanent stains can also occur but not often.
• EFFLORESCENCE: This is the white powdery residue which appears on stone installations where the presence of water is high. It is formed when water carrying the mineral salt inside the stone structure reaches the surface and gets evaporated, leaving the salt on the stone surface.  Remove extra moisture or water presence, buff the stone and leave it to dry. Seal the stone after all the efflorescence have gone.
•  SPALL, PITT AND FLAKE: Like efflorescence, mineral salts are the cause of this deformation. Instead of depositing salt on the surface, it deposits salt below the stone surface, and puts pressure on the stone making it to flake, pit and spall.
• YELLOWING: There are several reasons for a stone to turn yellow.  Embedded grime and dirt, waxes and other coatings may be the cause. Oxidation of the iron in the stone also causes yellowing of the stone. Only professional stone restoration specialists can set right this problem perfectly.
• LIPPAGE OR UNEVEN TILES: Lippage occurs when the edge of a tile is in higher level than that of the next one due to poor installation. The restoration professionals ground the tiles to flatten the floor.
• CRACKS AND CHIPS: Cracks and chips can occur because of poor installation and due to fall of heavy objects on the vulnerable corners. This can be restored by The Marble Man professionals using epoxy or color matched polyester.

Stone Restoration

Generally speaking, it is the process of restoring the worn out stone to its newly installed state. Stone restoration is a delicate process that can be done perfectly only by well experienced stone restoration company like The Marble Man.  It involves removal of any damages, scratches, cracks etc. from the stone surface using various processes such as stone grinding, honing, polishing and sealing as per the type of damage.   

The Marble Man is Australia's leading Marble, Granite, Travertine and other stone bench top and tiles restoration specialist. The team of professionals will provide you 5 star stone restoration services at affordable price. Call now: 1300 627 626.