NATURAL STONE CARE TIPS
This general information will help you prevent most of the damage that you can cause to your natural stones.
The best prevention method is sealing your stone because the sealer closes the pores of natural stones and prevents them from absorbing liquids that cause stains such as oils, wines, tomato paste, mustard, and coffee. Sealing does not protect against liquids with acidic content. Some common acidic liquids are vinegar, soda, citrus, bleach, and most cleaners. Since most natural stones have calcium carbonate in their composition, spilling an acidic liquid causes a chemical reaction to occur where the acid burns the stone. This leaves ring-shaped marks from a circular container or dry drops that destroy the smooth finish of your stone. For this reason, even after sealing your stone, you should avoid spilling liquids with high or low acid content.
« COUNTERTOP »
MAKE SURE TO CLEAN YOUR COUNTERTOP AFTER EVERY USE!
DO NOT let liquid spills sit on your countertop for too long. If it is a liquid that will damage your stone, the longer you leave it on the surface, the greater the damage it will cause. You should blot up the spill and apply a neutralizing cleaner.
DO NOT use any cleaning products unless it says it is safe for natural stone.
DO NOT use metallic or scouring pads that are too abrasive as they can scratch the surface of your stone. Scouring pads tend to rust over time and if you use them to clean, you may be adding rust to your stones without being aware of it, which is another reason why you should avoid them.
DO NOT throw your items on your counter, do so gently to not cause chips and cracks.
USE tablecloths under anything that could cause scratches on your countertop.
USE placemats or trivets under your items. All stones have a certain resistance to heat but it is better to prevent damage due to excess heat.
USE coasters under glasses, especially if it's a drink made from citrus or if you need to use vinegar while cooking.
USE a stone-safe cleaner to clean your countertop regularly that won't leave the surface chalky or cloudy.
« FLOOR »
DO NOT use any cleaner that has acid.
DO NOT let liquid spills sit on your floor for too long. If it is a liquid that will damage your stone, the longer you leave it on the surface, the greater the damage it will cause. You should blot up the spill and apply a neutralizing cleaner.
DO NOT push your furniture around without using a furniture slider.
USE a furniture slider when you need to move furniture to avoid scratches. Remember that your pet's nails can also cause scratches if they are a bit sharp.
USE a doormat to keep dirt & debris from entering your home. Dirt or a piece of rock in your shoe can cause scratches and wear patterns on your floor over time.
USE a good neutral cleaner to clean your floor frequently.
« SHOWER »
DO NOT use cleaner for mildew, soap, and mineral deposits that contain acid.
DO NOT spray glass cleaner on your shower stone, it can cause etch marks.
DO NOT wait too long to fix leaks in your shower. The permanence of humidity on the stone will favor the growth of mold and efflorescence.
DO NOT use toilet bowl cleaners because they contain trace amounts of hydrofluoric acid (HF) which will create etch marks in your shower.
DO NOT delay in repairing the unions of your shower that have cracks. If you have cracks in the grout lines, the water will seep in and keep the surface wet longer which will cause mold growth and efflorescence.
USE stone-safe cleaners to apply on natural stones.
USE a squeegee after using the shower to help speed up the drying of the walls.
USE the fan in your shower while you're in the shower and after to help dry out the walls and floor. You can add another small external fan to speed up the drying process, also remember to leave the door open so that air can circulate inside the shower.
Make sure your shower is sealed.
« VANITY »
Some cosmetic products, hair sprays, mouth cleaners, toothpaste, and hand soaps may have ingredients that can damage your vanity. Keep them from any direct contact with the stone.