Protecting Your Natural Stone Surfaces

They are elegant, sturdy, and accentuate the interior space. Their lustre, unique patterns and diversity has seen natural stones become a staple in commercial and residential establishments alike. From marble and granite counter tops, limestone floors, travertine walls- they can be used on different installations. Bathrooms and kitchens, foyers to corridors- you want your natural stone installations to look their best, and last for long. This can only be achieved with proper care and maintenance.

Delicate structures

Sure, they can handle high levels of traffic- but they are not invincible. One of the most common issues facing natural stone installations is acidic cleaning products. This is why you’ll see warnings from the stone sellers and installers about vinegar, lemon juice and other cleaning agents containing acids. They will react with the stone, corroding it and damaging the structure. While such solutions are common for DIY applications around the house, they are harsh to the stone, resulting in etching and dulling of the material.

A similar threat is witnessed with spills like orange or lemon juice. These should be cleaned up immediately they occur. Finish products and sealers that are applied on the stone surfaces aid in reducing the risks involved, increasing the ability of the installation to withstand such spills- but that doesn’t mean that you should allow the liquids to remain on the surface. This also does not give one the leeway to use the acidic cleaners. While there may not be noticeable damage to the stone itself, the acid formulations will accelerate the breaking down of the sealer, forcing you to budget to have the affected floor, countertops or wall resealed more frequently. Skip the bleach-based products are well. For the unsealed and porous stone, the risk is higher.

Neutral cleaning products are needed when working on these installations. Take the Bona Stone, Tile & Laminate Cleaner for instance. It is tough on dirt, but safe for the sealed natural stone floors. It will get rid of the grime without leaving behind any dulling residue. What’s more, it’s a fully biodegrade formulation, a welcome bonus for those looking to use eco-friendly cleaning products. With the Faber Neugel 5L, you get a concentrated cleaning formulation, that is used for daily maintenance of the natural stone or absorbent surfaces- including marble, marble-cement and marble-resin agglomerates, quartzite and sandstone. In addition to the cleaning action, it also nourishes the surfaces being worked on, enhancing the tone and increasing the dirt-resistance attributes of the installation- which is particularly beneficial when dealing with cotto, terracotta, and other rough and absorbent materials. When working on the surfaces, different tools can be used depending on the area being attended to. From cloths, mops, to single disc machines, the Neugel will be up to the task. Remember to dilute the product in clean water.

Abrasive cleaning products should be avoided. One may assume that using a scrubbing pad on the stains and etches that have been formed on the stone will remove them. However, this is counterproductive, and instead it makes the situation worse- especially when you add more elbow grease into it in a bid to scrub out the spot. Struggling with stubborn soiling and grease residue? Turn to cleaning products like the Faber Cottosolv. This is a highly concentrated formulation that is gets rid of those oily or greasy stains that have formed, and even mould, algae, dark oxidation marks, and efflorescence that have developed on absorbent materials like cotto and terracotta. This particular formulation can be used in both outdoor and indoor applications, and is particularly ideal for working on those high traffic areas, be it on marble, granite, travertine, marble-resin, or marble quartzite agglomerates.

The dust factor

Those tiny dust particles that are on the natural stone surfaces are abrasive, being ground against the surface- resulting in wear patterns that develop over time. The gritty soiling causes the stone installation to appear dull- a far cry from the polished effect that may been achieved after the finishing process. Routine dusting and vacuuming, plus cleaning with a neutral formulation regularly, will keep your natural stone installation protected. Ensure that the cleaning products being used can get the task done without affecting the effectiveness of the protective treatments that had been applied.

For the high traffic areas, it is recommended that you invest in a floor mat. This is to reduce the amount of soiling that gets transferred onto the open floor space. For instance, you can place a mat on the exterior and interior side of the door, and use rugs or runners for sections within the residence that witness lots of usage- like the hallways and playrooms.

Regular maintenance

In addition to the cleaning, the stone surfaces will need to be sealed after about 3 to 5 years, depending on the amount of traffic being handled. When applying the sealant, ensure that you get a product that is particularly suited to your type of natural stone, with factors like the level of porosity being taken into account. Note that sealants do not take away the need for routine cleaning. Neglecting the stone surfaces will cause them to get deteriorated. Simple measures like daily wipe-downs will go a long way in keeping the surfaces gleaming, and prevent the dirt build ups that wear down the structure. Cleaning products like microfibre cloths come in handy, picking up the dust particles with ease, and the soft nature of the material makes it safe for use on the stone surfaces. What’s more, with microfibre, the need for water is minimal. In fact, you can use the cloths dry, as they will have a high efficiency, lifting the particles from the surfaces using Van der Waals force and capillary effects, which proceed to lock dirt particles into the fibres. Additional measures like using coasters for glasses – especially when they’re holding citrus juices or alcohols, and placing mats under silverware, ceramics and other objects that may cause scratches, are recommended. Also shake out the door mats regularly, to ensure that they remain efficient in minimising the dirt that is getting tracked in.

Protecting Your Natural Stone Surfaces