Maintenance of Natural Stone
Remember the following list of DO’s and DON’Ts:
DO use preventative cleaning measures to keep your stone pristine.
DO use sealers, applied according to the product’s specific directions.
DO blot spills quickly, wash with mild soap and warm water.
DON’T use harsh bathroom cleaners or grout cleaners on any natural stone.
DON’T worry if you get a significant stain or scratch – virtually anything can be fixed with
professional help.
Natural stone tops are surprisingly resilient to stains and scratches. However, as a preventative measure,
any spills on stone surfaces should be wiped up within a reasonable amount of time. Do not let liquid
reside on the surface overnight. Natural stone is most prone to staining by oil and acid so be sure to blot
these spills up as soon as they happen. Follow up by cleaning the stone with a mild non-abrasive soap
and water.
In bathrooms specifically, natural stone tends to attract soap scum, just like man-made tile. Rinse the
vanity top with clean, hot water frequently.
The use of sealers is also a powerful preventative measure. Your stone was sealed at the factory, but
reapplication is necessary over time. How often is determined by the quality of sealer used and frequency
of use. We recommend using a penetrating sealer for bath areas, as a food-safe sealer is typically not
necessary.
If stains and scratches DO occur, there are many things you can do as a consumer to remove them.
Remove oil based stains with acetone (dark stone), mineral spirits, or clear ammonia. Organic stains like
coffee, tea, or juice can be removed with hydrogen peroxide (light stone to be safe), mixed with a few
drops of clear ammonia. Be warned, continuous use of ammonia can dull granite over time.
Water spots or rings are the most common problem with bath vanities and are caused by minerals left
behind when water evaporates. These can be removed by buffing the spots gently with 00 gauge steel
wool. Likewise, small nicks and scratches can often be removed by ulitizing the same method. Larger
scratches, chips, and resilient stains may require professional help. Please contact your local
stonemason for details.
