Stone Care Guide

You’ve made an excellent investment in new natural stone. Natural stone can provide years of beauty when properly cared for. This page includes care instructions and some helpful do’s and don’ts on stone care.

Enjoy the lasting beauty of your natural stone

Natural stone has been formed over millions of years but improper care can ruin nature’s beauty. Although we usually think of stone as “hard”, it is a porous material 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.

There are a wide variety of sealers available, so you need to select one for your specific needs and natural stone type. Impregnating sealers, with new, advanced fluorochemical technology, penetrate the stone and help protect it against water and oil-based stains. Industry professionals recognize that natural stone is best protected with a fluorochemical-based sealer. We recommend sealing your new stone with StoneTech Professional™ Heavy Duty Stone Sealer formulated with the latest in fluorochemical technology.

If your stone is less porous or semi-porous, then StoneTech Professional™ Heavy Duty Stone Sealer is the recommended sealer. If your stone is very porous, such as some veined granites, then StoneTech Professional™ BulletProof™ Stone Sealer may be your best choice. For color enhancing and other special considerations, consult your stone supplier or stone care professional. StoneTech Professional™ has a complete line of sealers for your natural stone. Once sealed properly, your stone is protected against everyday dirt and spills. Proper cleaning will help the sealer last longer and keep your stone protected without damaging your stone’s natural beauty.

Keeping your stone free of dust and dry, sandy soil will minimize the scratches and wear-patterns that can develop from everyday use of some natural stone, such as marble, limestone, and sandstone. Sweep or dust all natural stone surfaces regularly to remove loose soil and dust.

Clean your natural stone on a regular basis with warm water and a clean non-abrasive cloth, sponge or mop. In addition, using a neutral cleaner specially formulated for natural stone will help remove soils that normal dusting or damp mopping leave behind. We recommend StoneTech Professional™ Revitalizer™ Stone & Tile Cleaner and Protector. This cleaner is developed especially for natural stone and tile care. Its unique blend of neutral cleaning agents make it gentle on your stone while leaving behind an impregnating protective shield every time you clean.

Do not use general purpose cleaners or you may damage your stone or the sealer applied. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar, or other acids as these may etch the stone surface and damage the polish. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Use Revitalizer™ on a regular basis to remove residues from cooking oils and everyday food spills as well as hairspray or other cosmetics. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that may etch or dull the stone surface. Also, some common toiletries (e.g., perfume, toothpaste, mouthwash) contain acids and other ingredients that may damage the stone surface or degrade the sealer.

Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt, and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the potential damage from these particles. In addition, be careful when using a vacuum cleaner as the metal or plastic attachments or wheels may scratch the surface.

Damp mop the stone floor with a dilute solution of Revitalizer™ or All Purpose Stone & Tile Cleaner as directed on the label. Keep off floor until completely dry, as wet stone floors may be slippery.

Periodic use of Revitalizer™ will remove any soap scum or hard water deposits that may have formed. In the bath or other wet areas, using a squeegee after each use can minimize soap scum and hard water deposit buildup.

WHAT TO DO WHEN A SPILL OCCURS

No matter how careful you are, spills are going to happen. A quick response and the right solutions can keep spills from damaging you stone or the sealer. StoneTech Professional recommends that you only use the cleaning products recommended in this care guide.

Substances that are highly acidic, such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato products, mustard, and many soft drinks will “etch” most marble, limestone, and travertine; whether the stone is sealed or unsealed. Although sealing allows you time to wipe up a spill, it cannot stop the chemical reaction that may leave a dull area or etch mark in the stone.

In addition, cleaners not specifically designed for natural stone are not recommended. These may etch away the polish, discolor the surface, scratch the stone, or degrade the sealer. That’s why selecting the correct cleaning products is so important to the lifetime beauty of your natural stone.

Professional refinishing is the best way to permanently remove etch marks and restore your natural stone’s even finish.

Scoop up the food with a plastic spoon. Blot with a dry, white cloth. Spray the area with Revitalizer™ and wipe off excess with a clean cloth or clean the soiled area with Revitalizer™ Wipes.

Blot away the excess with a clean, dry, white cloth; turning the cloth frequently. Spray the area with Revitalizer™ and wipe off excess with a clean cloth or clean the soiled area with Revitalizer™ Wipes.

Let the mud stain dry completely. Remove dried mud with a soft plastic or nylon brush. Spray affected area with Revitalizer™. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. If the stain remains, contact a professional cleaner.

If you identify the stain as having an oil base (from foods like salad and cooking oils, butter, or some cosmetics) you may be able to remove the stain using a poultice. We recommend StoneTech Professional™ Oil Stain Remover. This easy-to-use poultice is designed to slowly remove oily stains from natural stone surfaces. Follow the directions on the label.

Dos and Don’ts

  • DO use coasters under glasses, especially if the contain alcohol or citrus juices
  • DO use trivets or mats under hot dishes or cookware.
  • DO use place mats under china, ceramics, silver, or other objects that may scratch your stone’s surface.
  • DO place a small rug or mat at entryways to trap dirt and sand from normal foot traffic.
  • DO dust countertops, islands, vanities, and floors frequently.
  • DO blot up spills immediately to minimize permanent damage to the stone.
  • DO clean surfaces by wiping with clean water or by using StoneTech Professional™ Revitalizer™ Stone & Tile Cleaner and Protector.
  • DON’T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or other general-purpose cleaners.
  • DON’T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub and tile cleaners.
  • DON’T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
  • DON’T use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for natural stone.

Bathroom countertops won’t require daily cleaning in most cases. However, you should try to wipe them down at least once a week. Use a soft, damp rag or sponge to wipe the counters with a mild soap. Dish soap is an excellent choice here. While it may be tempting to break out the big guns to get your bathroom especially clean, most of the supplies in your cleaning kit are likely too harsh for cultured marble. Abrasive cleaners such as Soft Scrub, acidic ones such as white vinegar, or anything that contains bleach can damage the finish. Repeatedly using these cleaning chemicals will make your countertops’ shine fade or even form pits as the finish dissolves. Keep harsh cleaners far away from cultured marble.

Careful homeowners shouldn’t store anything on cultured marble countertops that could accidentally scratch them. However, scratches will inevitably occur from time to time. Minor scratches are an easy fix. Buy some Gel-Gloss and use a soft brush to buff the scratch out until the surface is smooth again. Make sure to buff the entire surface with Gel Gloss annually to fill in any scratches you may have missed.

If you spill a potentially staining substance on cultured marble, clean it up immediately to prevent it from seeping in. Unfortunately, some color may still be left behind. Depending on your preferences and what you have on hand, you may be able to remove the stain using anything from hydrogen peroxide to paint thinner. Be aware, however, that these stronger cleaning substances may damage your countertop while attacking the stain. Test a small amount on a discreet part of the countertop first to make sure it’s safe to use.

The following is a restorative surface cleaning process which is done in preparation for resealing or for specialized surface cleaning circumstances. This process should not damage the stone surface, however, this type of heavy duty cleaning will degrade or strip many sealers from the application.

  1. Dilute concentrated STONETECH KlenzAll™ Cleaner with warm water according to the following mixing chart:
USE STONETECH KlenzAll™ Cleaner (Concentrate) Warm Water pH
Light Duty 1 part 8 parts 10.7
Medium Duty 1 part 4 parts 11
Heavy Duty 1 part 2 parts 11.3
  1. Apply mixed solution with a mop, clean cloth or low-pressure sprayer. Avoid applying cleaner on unintended surfaces.
  2. Lightly scrub with a scrub brush or floor machine as needed.
  3. Remove STONETECH KlenzAll Cleaner using a clean cloth, wet/dry vacuum or damp mop.

Using STONETECH Mold & Mildew Remover, use only as directed. Always test in a small inconspicuous area to determine ease of use and desired results. Be sure surfaces to be cleaned are swept or vacuumed to remove loose debris. Avoid skin and eye contact. Wear protective eyewear and gloves. Keep children and pets out of the area during application and drying. Do not mix this product with other household cleaners or metals.

  1. Spray STONETECH Mold & Mildew Stain Remover directly on soiled areas. Avoid applying onto unintended surfaces.
  2. Clean surface with non-abrasive sponge or stiff nylon brush as needed.
  3. Rinse area well with clean water.
  4. Repeat as needed for heavily-soiled areas

Reimagine your home.

Get a Free Quote

MARBLE | TILE | GRANITE

Accentt Marble, Inc. specializes in custom kitchen and bathroom remodeling, by creating a unique look that will suit your own vision of the perfect space.

Contact Information

We services Denison, McKinney, Van Alstyne, Howe and surrounding areas.

© 2024 Accentt Marble

Shopping Cart