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" Don't " Do This to Natural Stone! |
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By David Bassler
The most common mistake made when cleaning marble, limestone and travertine is using the wrong cleaning products. Acidic cleaners intended for ceramic tile and grout will have a violent reaction with these stones containing calcium. Many window cleaners contain vinegar, which is also acidic. These cleaners will etch or burn the stones surface. Having neutral Ph cleaners labeled for natural stone in the areas where someone may find cleaning supplies will lessen the chance of the wrong cleaning product being used that could cause damage to the natural stone.
1) Abrasives should never be used on any natural stone to clean with because of possibility of scratching the stones surface may occur. Only a soft cloth to wipe with or a soft nylon brush to scrub the stones surface with just plain water or a neutral stone cleaner should be used.
2) High alkaline stone cleaners may be used with caution to clean oils, grease and soap residue from a stones surface only by testing in an obscure area first. High alkaline cleaners may degrade or remove some topical sealers and impregnating sealers from natural stone if previously applied.
It is possible to damage a polished stones surface by strong high alkaline cleaning. It is also advisable to contact a Natural Stone Professional to do this type of work.
3) Don't clean natural stone with anything but water or a stone specific cleaner designed for the stone you have. Look for the word "neutral" on the label of the stone cleaner you are about to use.
4) A sealer may be applied to help aid in cleaning and protect porous stones from water and oil born stains.
Your natural stone should last more than a life time when proper care is given.
5) Don't stand on your countertops. You can cause cracks in the stone, especially at the sink or range areas.
6) Don't slide sharp or abrasive objects on the stones surface and always have felt pads under abrasive objects when possible. Crock pots and some kiln fired serving plates are abrasive enough to scratch the hardest of granites. Using place mats or padding will prevent scratches.
7) Don't use kitchen granite as a cutting board. Knives will dull quickly and scratches may occur.
8) Don't allow acidic foods or liquids to come in contact with stones that contain calcium, such as marble, limestone or travertine. These stones may show damage by the etching of the stones surface. Polished stones will show more etch damage than on a honed finish.
9) Don't forget to have walk-off mats at all stone entries to help keep abrasives from scratching floors.
10) Don't have a marble, limestone or travertine floor re-polished with crystallizers. This method is also called re-crystallization, and is considered to cause long term damage by most Natural Stone Professionals.
11) Don't let your stone become saturated with water because of mineral deposits may migrate to the surface and or spalling (expanded mineral damage) may occur.
12) Don't apply sealers to natural stone and allow the excess sealer to dry on the surface. The excess sealer may require chemical or mechanical methods for removal once they have dried.
13) Don't apply topical coatings such as waxes, acrylics, urethanes or lacquers to a honed or polished natural stone. This will create a difficult to maintain surface and is very expensive to completely remove when needed.
14) Don't be afraid of your natural stone as it will last many life times when proper care is given.
What you have read above, was to help with the care of natural stone and not scare you from it. Enjoy the beautiful resource of 'Natural Stone'.
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