Elegant, versatile and durable as it is, natural stone still needs conditioning, cleaning, care and maintenance to preserve its beauty and prolong its life. Because natural stone is porous, it can stain due if you spill liquids and it's sensitive to acids like citrus juices, vinegar or household cleaning chemicals, that will etch or dull the surface of many stones.

The good news is, you can protect your investment. Maintaining your natural stone investment will reward you and your home for many years to come.

That's why we've compiled a few natural stone care tips.

Elite Marble Recommeded General Care: Marble, Granite, Slate and Limestone
The best advice is to fight dirty. 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 sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

Floor Surfaces: Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. A vacuum cleaner can help to remove dust but make sure that any plastic or metal parts or attachments do not come in direct contact with your natural stone floor. Metal and plastic attachments may scratch the surface.

Kitchen Counters & Other Natural Stone Surfaces: Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores or from your stone dealer) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. As with natural stone floors, too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Wipe dry with a soft, clean cloth.

Food Preparation Areas: In food preparation areas, the stone may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. The experts at Elite Marble can provide recommendations. If a sealer is applied, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces.

Bath and Other Wet Areas: In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. If soap scum builds, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water) to remove soap scum. Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.

Vanity Top Surfaces: Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. The experts at Elite Marble can provide recommendations. A good quality marble wax or non-yellowing automobile paste wax can be applied to minimize water spotting.

Do's and Don'ts for Cleaning Marble, Granite and Limestone Surfaces:

DO damp mop your natural stone floor
DO use specialty products designed for use on natural stone floors. The experts at Elite Marble can recommend safe products to use
DO blot spills immediately. A neutral pH detergent such as Liquid Ivory and warm water, can be used for spills or periodic complete cleaning.
DO rinse floors thoroughly and dry with a soft, clean cloth immediately after cleansing. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.
DO NOT use products containing lemon juice, vinegar or other acids.
DO NOT use products containing abrasive ingredients (dry or liquid) or any ammonia-based cleaners on any stone. Abrasive products will scratch your stone surface. Ammonia-based products will dull its luster.
DO NOT use retail grout cleaners, scouring powders or bathroom tub and tile cleaners on your stone.
DO NOT use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Elite Marble Recommended Care: Spills & Stains

Prevention is key to ensuring that accidental spills to do become permanent stains. If a spill does occur, be sure to blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Do not wipe the spill, it will spread the spill to a larger area. Flush the area with plain water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.

Stain Removal: Surface stains can often be removed by cleaning with an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical. Deep-seated or stubborn stains may require using a poultice or calling in the experts at Elite Marble for assistance. The following sections describe the types of stains that you may have to deal with and appropriate household chemicals to use. These stain removal tips are provided as a guide. Extreme care must be used in their application. Any chemicals or abrasive cleaners may harm your nartural stone. Call the exprts at Elite Marble for assistance.

Oil-Based Stains: (grease, tar, cooking oil, milk, cosmetics) — An oil-based stain will darken the stone and normally must be chemically dissolved so the source of the stain can be flushed or rinsed away. Call the exprts at Elite Marble for assistance.

Organic Stains: (coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings) — May cause a pinkish-brown stain and may disappear after the source of the stain has been removed. Clean with 12% hydrogen peroxide (hair bleaching strength) and a few drops of ammonia.

Metal Stains: (iron, rust, copper, bronze) — Iron or rust stains are orange to brown in color and follow the shape of the staining object such as nails, bolts, screws, cans, flower pots, metal furniture. Copper and bronze stains appear as green or muddy-brown and result from the action of moisture on nearby or embedded bronze, copper or brass items. Metal stains must be removed with a poultice. Deep-seated, rusty stains are extremely difficult to remove and the stone may be permanently stained.

Biological Stains: (algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi) — Clean with diluted (1/2 cup in a gallon of water) ammonia OR bleach OR hydrogen peroxide. DO NOT MIX BLEACH AND AMMONIA! THIS COMBINATION CREATES A TOXIC AND LETHAL GAS!

Ink Stains: (magic marker, pen, ink) — Clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide (light colored stone only!) or lacquer thinner or acetone (dark stones only!)

Protect Your Natural Stone Investment

To many, a home showcasing natural stone is the dream of a lifetime. At Elite Marble, we believe the beauty, elegance and pure uniqueness will last a lifetime as well, if properly cared for and maintained. If your natural stone has lost its shine or lustre or has been stained, contact us today to explore our marble, granite, and limestone cleaning, polishing and restoration services.