Home owners today are adding natural stone in their bathrooms, kitchen and flooring throughout the living areas of their home. Natural stone is used inside as well as outside the home. There are many different types of natural stone such as marble, granite, slate, and soapstone. Each of these natural stones vary in hardness or strength as well as weaknesses. For those who have invested in natural stone, you will want to make sure to properly maintain and care for the stones in your home. Carpet Care 2000 will share some common natural stone cleaning mistakes and how to properly care for natural stones.
Does Vinegar Damage Natural Stone?
Many people are following the trend of using vinegar or DIY cleaners in their homes. Where vinegar is an antiseptic and can clean and kill bacteria and germs off of surfaces, it is actually a terrible cleaner for natural stone. Vinegar and other homemade cleaners can damage and erode stone. Vinegar contains high amounts of acid which will slowly eat away any material including stone. Stone will vary in hardness. The softer stone, such as marble, will erode faster than the harder stones. Some of the stones will also have pores which allow the acid to soak deep into the rock. To prevent erosion and degrading of the natural stone, never use homemade cleaner or vinegar. To clean your stone make sure you use proper natural stone cleaners. They are designed to protect the stone just as much as they clean them.
Abrasive Cleaning Tools Can Cause Scratches in Natural Stone
When something spills or dries on the surface of the stone, many people will grab a scrubbing pad or use a scrapping tool. When you need to scrub off soap scum or wipe up a spill, you never want to use anything too abrasive. This can include a dish cleaning scrubbing pad. The rougher side of the cleaning pad or sponge can cause damage to the stone. Etch marks are often caused by a scrubbing pad or sponge. To prevent etching or even deep scratches on the stone never use an abrasive tool. Use a soft cleaning cloth or even the micro-fiber cleaning cloths. Always clean spills as they happen to eliminate the need for scrubbing.
Don’t Forget to Clean Natural Stone Often
When you invest in natural stone floor you must be committed in maintaining the floor almost daily. Stone floors need to be swept and or dust mopped to keep dirt off of the stone. Dirt and sand can etch and scratch the stone’s surface. The dust and dirt can also make stone look dull and ruin the floor’s aesthetics. The dust can also reduce the life span of the stone’s sealer which is essential to the stone’s longevity. To ensure the stone’s sealer and the life of the stone, make sure to dust mop or sweep the floors often, and in some homes daily.
Does Natural Stone Need to Be Sealed?
Often homeowners will neglect to reseal their natural stone when the time comes. Most natural stone requires a sealer to protect the stone from erosion. Depending on the sealer quality, you may need to reseal the stone every 6 months. Make sure to reseal when needed. You can test the sealer simply by pouring water on the stone. Leave the water on the surface for ten minutes then wipe it off. If there is a wet spot on the stone it is time for resealing the stone.
Natural Stone Cleaning, Sealing & More in Tracy, Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, Mountain House, Walnut Creek, Danville & the East Bay of California
Make sure to invest in the time to properly care for the natural stone surfaces in your home. If you need help cleaning or resealing your home’s stone, contact Carpet Care 2000 today.
