Natural Stone Damage - 10 Tips on What to Avoid With Cleaning & Maintenance

Natural Stone includes granite, marble, onyx, travertine, soapstone, sandstone, quartzite, slate and limestone. There are many other types of natural stone, but not as commonly used.

It is imperative to know the exact type of stone that is to be maintained. Stone is natural and may have adverse reactions to certain cleaning chemicals and procedures. Most stones are also natural alkalis and so are dirt and soil; therefore, stone and dirt are attracted to each other which often makes cleaning very difficult. 

This makes the proper selection of cleaning procedures and chemicals for stone very complex.

1. Don't use cleaning products on or near your natural stone unless the label specifies that it is safe on natural marble or natural stone (cultured marble is man-made, and it's basically a plastic material). This includes glass cleaner to clean the mirror over a marble vanity top, or a liquid toilet bowl cleaner when the toilet is set on a marble floor.

2. Don't clean your natural stone with a solution of vinegar and water. Vinegar is highly acidic and will damage the stone.

3. Don't clean your natural stone using a solution of water with a commercially available cleaner, unless its label specifically indicates that it is safe to use on natural stone.

4. Don't use powder cleaners, cream cleansers, generic soap film removers, generic mildew stain removers or harsh disinfectants on your natural stone.

5. Don't leave spills, especially orange juice, lemonade, wine, vinegar, liquors, tomato sauce, yogurt, salad dressing, perfume, after shave, etc. Wipe up these types of spills right away, even if the natural stone has been sealed.

6. Don't use standard floor wax or other topical shine agents on your natural stone. It will only take away from the natural beauty of the stone and could lead to more costly and constant maintenance. If you want a shine to your stone, have your stone professionally polished.

Comments