Natural stone is used inside a home or business in many different ways. You can find natural stone on the floors, walls, and as countertops. With natural stone installed it is important to take proper care of the stone to ensure its longevity. Even though natural stone may seem durable, it is actually prone to staining, erosion, as well as surface damages such as etches and cracks. DM Carpet Cleaning will share a few basic natural stone care tips.
Does Natural Stone Need to Be Sealed?
One of the most important aspects of caring for natural stone is maintaining the stone’s sealer. The stone sealer can help prevent stains and surface damages such as etching, and erosion. Most stones are very porous, which makes the stone vulnerable to acidic and staining substances. The sealer can also help prevent scratches and etch marks from developing too quickly on the stone. To know when to reseal the stone, you should periodically test the sealer. Testing the stone is simple, all you need to do is to pour water on the stone’s surface and let the water soak for ten minutes. Then wipe the water away, if you see a wet stop as if water soaked into the stone it is time to reseal your natural stone.
What is the Best Cleaner for Natural Stone?
When cleaning natural stone never use ammonia, vinegar or homemade cleaners. When cleaning natural stone you will want to use cleaners designated for the types of stone your have. If you use vinegar or ammonia, these cleaners contain high levels of acid which can lead to major erosion and ruin the stone permanently. You must always use cleaners that are safe for the natural stone in your home. Each stone is slightly different, so know your stone and which cleaner is needed.
Clean Up Spills & Stains on Natural Stone Fast
Even with a sealer the stone is still at risk of staining, especially when a sealer begins to wear down. It is always a good habit to keep spills on the stone cleaned up as soon as they occur. Wipe off the spills with a dry cloth and use a proper cleaner.
Avoid Damaging Natural Stone
For those with natural stone countertops you can damage the stone in many different ways. Hot pans can easily burn the stone’s surface. Too much weight can even cause the stone to crack. For natural stone floors, you can damage the stone by dropping heavy items, or by dragging the furniture. Consider having a rug or foot pad on the furniture to help protect the floors. Stone is rather fragile in a sense, so you must be careful about what you expose to the stone.
Natural Stone Tile & Grout Cleaning & More in Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Roswell, Duluth, Stone Mountain, Covington, Conyers, Loganville & Atlanta Georgia
To help extend the life of the stone, it is recommended to seek professional cleaning. When a professional comes and cleans the stone they can help remove etches, scratches, and possibly get stains out if they occur. Most professional natural stone cleaning services will offer stone sealing and polishing. With routine cleaning and sealing, you can protect and extend the life of your natural stone. For natural stone cleaning, sealing, polishing and more, contact DM Carpet Cleaning and schedule our services today.
