Natural Stone Do’s and Don’ts
Stone is beautiful, yet delicate. Follow some basic guidelines to keep your stone surfaces in great condition long term. This natural stone do’s and don’ts guide offers some helpful tips for keeping your stone just as beautiful as when it was first installed.
Routine Preventive Measures
Do – use coasters underneath drinking glasses – especially those containing alcohol or citric juices – in order to avoid etching
Do – use place mats under objects that could scratch the surface, such as china and silver, etc.
Don’t – place any hot items directly on the stone surface. Be sure to use trivets or mats under hot dishes.
Treating Spills
Do – pick up any spills as quickly and efficiently as possible
Don’t – rub the spill; only blot it
Don’t – use cleaning products on or near natural stone unless the label specifies that it is safe for natural stone. This includes using things such as glass cleaners to clean mirrors over a marble vanity top for example, or liquid toilet bowl cleaner where the toilet is on a marble floor.
Kitchen Counter Tops
Do – clean your kitchen countertop regularly and thoroughly with an appropriate stone safe cleaner (why not try R311). A higher concentration should be used near cooking and eating areas, and diluted water for areas with less traffic as in areas far from cooking and eating areas.
Do – use a conditioning stone polish occasionally in order to brighten up your polished stone surface. Note: be sure that the ingredients are classified as “food-grade,” and follow the label instructions.
Don’t – let any spills sit too long on the stone surface
If you do have dried-on spills…
Don’t – use any green or brown scouring pads for dried spills, as it will scratch the stone. It is safe to use the sponges lined with a silvery net, or other plastic scouring pads. Note: spray the cleaner and let it sit for a while before scrubbing it!
Vanity Tops
Do – clean your vanity tops regularly with a soap-free neutral cleaner appropriate and safe for your natural stone type
Do – use a stone polish if you wish to add extra shine to your polished stone countertop surface and help prevent soiling
Do – make sure any hand soaps being used around stone vanity tops is neutral and doesn’t contain any acidic or harmful chemicals
Don’t – take chances with cleaning mirrors that are over your marble vanity tops with a regular glass cleaner. The over-spray could easily spill onto the surface and damage the stone. *Clean mirrors with a neutral cleaner instead.
Don’t – use any powder or cream cleansers
Don’t – use things such as nail polish or hair colour anywhere near your vanity tops
Don’t – place wet bottles on the stone (perfume, after-shave, etc.). Protect your vanity tops by keeping cosmetics and fragrances in an appropriate container or cupboards
Shower Stalls
Do – monitor your grout and caulk lines occasionally and take care of any problems as soon as they are noticed
Do – clean shower stalls daily. The easiest and most effective way is to spray the floor and walls of the stall with an appropriate cleaner, and then squeegee *after the shower stall is done being used for the day
Do – use a soap film remover made to clean soap scum and hard mineral deposits, while not negatively affecting the stone (Try 515C)
Do – clean any mildew stains on the grout of your shower with a mildew stain remover that is safe on natural stone
Don’t – use any powdery or creamy cleanser
Don’t – use any generic soap film remover or mildew stain remover on your polished stone in your shower stall
Don’t – use any self-cleaners or any harsh disinfectants, such as Lysol®
Toilets
Don’t – use any regular toilet bowl cleaners if your toilet bowl is placed on a marble or other natural stone floor. They are highly acidic. Possible spills will dig holes in your marble. Be sure to clean your bowl with a non-acid toilet bowl cleaner.