The appearance of your home or business is enhanced with natural stone countertops, floors, walls, and other surfaces. Now that your stone has been installed, you’ll want to protect your investment. Although stone is relatively easy to maintain, it does come with some responsibility. Granite, marble, and other types of natural stone require regular cleaning and maintenance to remain beautiful and elegant. Here are some tips for keeping your stone clean.
Avoid Cleaners Not Specifically Designed for Natural Stone
Natural stone cleaning methods may vary, depending on what type of stone you have, its environment or location, the amount of traffic and usage it is subject to, and other factors. But as a general rule, it is best to stay away from acidic cleaners. Many “green” cleaners are made with acidic fruits and vegetables that cause damage or slowly strip any sealer from your countertops, table tops, and other surfaces. Using a store-bought cleaner like 409 or Windex may result in a cloudiness or haze building up on the surface of your stone.
Use Stone-Safe, Neutral Cleaners on Natural Stone
Regular use of a stone-safe, neutral cleaner with a pH level of 7 is recommended for keeping your natural stone sanitized and looking fabulous.
Another option is to make your own stone-safe, neutral cleaner. This recipe works well on granite:
- 1/4 cup of isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- 4 drops of Dawn
- A couple drops of essential oil (optional to cover alcohol smell)
- Add the ingredients into a 16-ounce spray bottle, fill with water and shake.
(Note: Inexpensive vodka may be used in place of rubbing alcohol, but it is not as strong.)
Professional Services for Natural Stone
Periodic professional cleaning (and sealing, if needed) will help keep your stone looking great. Even with regular cleaning and care, problems may develop with your natural stone, such as dullness, etching, and scratches. These problems are easily remedied with professional honing and polishing services.
If you have any specific questions about caring for the natural stone in your home or office, contact us today.
This is one of a series of articles written and published on behalf of Surface Care PRO Partners.