Stone Care Guidelines
On a daily basis GK’s Custom Polishing, Inc. is asked numerous questions by their customers pertaining to the at home maintenance of their natural stone. A handful of these questions seem to come up again and again when we talk to our customers. We finally decided to compile a list of the most asked questions by our customers and answer the questions for our customers.
How do I maintain natural stone countertops and vanities? Clean your natural stone on a regular basis with a specially formulated natural stone soap cleaner with a pH of a 7. Spray cleaner onto stone and then wipe with a clean, dry cloth. A stone cleaner that leaves a protective shield every time you clean is highly recommended. Some natural stone cleaners require you to dry the stone after wiping with the natural cleaner.
How do I maintain natural stone floors? Regular dust mopping is key to prolonging the life of your stone. Keeping your stone floor free of grit, sand and dirt will minimize scratches and wear-patterns on your floor and will thus help retain its lusterous beauty over time. Start by dust mopping your floor with a non-treated, dry dust mop. Next, damp mop the stone floor with a combination of warm water and a recommended stone floor cleaner with protector. Be sure to change the cleaning water frequently and dedicate both a dust mop and wet mop solely to the cleaning of your natural stone floor. Always dry your stone after cleaning.
What precautions should be taken with your natural stone? Even though natural stone is taken from the earth and has been subjected to very high temperatures and harsh conditions over thousands of years, it is important to note that damage to your stone can still occur. Be sure to use coasters under drinks, since some drinks are slightly acidic and could leave etch marks (circles) on your stone. Also, use trivets or mats under both all dishes (silver, china, ceramics, etc.) that could scratch your stone. To reduce soap scum and hard water deposits in bath areas it is a good idea to use a squeegee after each use. Lastly, it is highly recommended that you do not use vacuum cleaners on your stone floors, since the attachments or wheels could scratch the surface.
What should I do when a spill occurs? If something is accidentally spilled on your natural stone surface, don’t panic. If your natural stone has been professionally sealed with a impregnating sealer, the spill will probably not stain the surface. A penetrating sealer provides a layer of protection against stains and spills on your floor and/or countertops and significantly helps to prevent discoloration. If your natural stone has not been properly treated with a recommended penetrating sealer, you should act quickly! Once a spill has occurred you need to blot the spill up as fast as possible with a dry, clean cloth. Do not wipe the area, it will spread the spill. Then using a high quality cleaner, specifically designed for natural stone, spray the area, then wipe with a new dry, clean cloth. Water can temporarily darken some stones. However, if, after cleaning with a stone cleaner, the affected area does not return to normal color after 6-8 hours then a professional should be called in. Note: Chemicals found in regular household cleaners can be very damaging to your natural stone. These over-the-counter household cleaners, no matter what the strength, may etch or scratch the polished surface, discolor the stone, or degrade the sealer. We strongly advise against using most of these over-the-counter stone cleaners.
Should natural stone be sealed? Not all natural stone needs to be sealed. The type of stone, where it is located, and other factors will determine if your stone needs to have a sealer applied. Although we usually think of stone as “hard”, the fact is that natural stones are porous materials that can absorb spills and stains if left untreated. Sealing your stone with a quality impregnating sealer will prevent most spills from damaging your investment. It is highly recommended that you ask a professional which of your marble, granite or natural stone surfaces need to be sealed.
Common problems that affect natural stone There are many problems that can occur with natural stone. Some of the most common are:
- The stone is scratched in several areas.
Solution: The stone needs to be honed by a professional to remove those scratches and then repolished. - There are some dull spots within the stone.
Solution: The stone needs to be repolished in those areas to bring back its luster and beauty. - The stone has etch marks.
Solution: The etched areas will need to be honed by a professional and then repolished. - The stone is not as lustrous, shiny and beautiful as it once was.
Solution: Your stone needs to be repolished by a stone professional to bring back the depth, luster and shine your stone once possessed.
In addition to routine maintenance, what else is necessary? When natural stone is mined and cut into final slabs or tiles it is usually polished before being shipped and installed in your home or business. To maintain this polished, beautiful shine, your stone needs to be polished yearly or bi-yearly (depending on wear) and resealed every two or three years (depending on wear). If these simple steps are followed, you will continue to enjoy the beauty of your natural stone for many years to come. The polishing and sealing of your stone surfaces should be performed by a trained professional.
Still have further questions?
If you have further questions about protecting and restoring your natural stone's beauty, please call us at 440.937.4457, or email us at sales@gkspolishing.com.