Natural stone requires care

Enhancing the appearance of your home or business with natural stone countertops, floors, walls, and other surfaces comes with some responsibility. Once your stone is installed, it is up to you to protect your investment. Granite, marble, and other types of natural stone require regular cleaning and maintenance to remain beautiful and elegant.

So how do you keep your stone clean? The answer to this question may depend on what type of stone you have, its environment or location, the amount of traffic and usage it is subject to, and other factors.

As a rule, it is best to stay away from acidic cleaners. Even many “green” cleaners are made with acidic fruits and vegetables that cause damage or slowly strip any sealer from your countertops, table tops, floors and other surfaces.

If you have been using any store-bought cleaners that do not expressly say they are safe on natural stone, you may have noticed a cloudiness or haze building up on the surface of your stone. Regular use of a neutral cleaner with a pH level of 7, can gradually remove that cloudiness. If the problem persists, you may need to have your stone professionally serviced. It could be that it is not dirty at all, but some other issue is present.

In pinch with no neutral cleaner on hand?

Another option is to make your own safe, neutral cleanser. This one works well on all natural stone:

• 1/4 cup of isopropyl rubbing alcohol
• 4 drops of Dawn Dishwashing Detergent
• 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.)

If you have questions about cleaning 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 Stone and Tile PRO Partners.