» General Care
» Cleaning Procedures and Recommendations
» Removing Stains

General Precautions

• In order to prevent water/liquid rings or etching of your countertop it is best to use coasters under all glasses, especially those containing alcohol or citrus juice and cutting boards for all food preparation. Many foods and drinks, especially citrus based, contain acid that will etch or dull the surface of your countertop.
• It is best not to place items that could scratch the surface directly on the countertop, instead use trivets or mats under hot dishes, ceramics, china, or other objects that may scratch the surface.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Countertops…

• Blot all spills and messes as soon as possible.
• Clean with warm water and a damp soft cloth or sponge.
• For soiled areas clean with a few drops of neutral ph cleaner, stone soap, or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent, rinse thoroughly.
• Too much cleaner or soap may cause streaks or leave a film.
• Do not use products that have a high ph or contain vinegar, lemon, or other acids.
• After cleaning with any solution, be sure to rinse the surface thoroughly, changing the rinse water frequently and dry with a soft cloth.
• Do not use any abrasive sponges or products that may scratch the surface.
• Usually sealers are applied prior to installation; however you may choose to periodically reseal your countertops. Sealers have become very DIY friendly, and can be purchased at most hardware stores.

Bath or Shower…

• Squeegee after each use to minimize soap scum.
• To help remove soap scum, use a non-acidic, low ph, soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (use about 1/2 cup ammonia to about a gallon of water). Please note: frequent or over-use of any ammonia solution or soap scum remover may eventually dull the stone surface.

Floor Surfaces…

• Use a non-treated dry dust mop frequently to help remove any abrasives that may scratch the floor.
• Use a non slip mat or area rug inside and outside of any entrances to help minimize sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor.
• Do not use old/worn vacuum cleaners that have metal or plastic attachments or wheels that may scratch the surface.

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Removing Stains…

If you are at all hesitant about trying to remove a stain yourself please call us for more information.

To remove a stubborn stain from stone you should use a poultice. These are common powder or cloth materials that are mixed with a chemical and placed on top of the stain to “pull” the stain out of the stone. Some of these materials include …

• Paper towels
• Cotton balls
• Gauze pads
• Clays
• Talc Chalk (whiting)
• Diatomaceous earth
• Methyl cellulose
• Flour
• Saw dust

Please note: Clays and diatomaceous earth are usually safe and readily available. However, do not use whiting or clays containing iron with an acidic chemical as the iron will react with the acid and may cause a rust stain. It is best to purchase powders that are designated specifically for stone.

Stain removal can be very difficult, and care must be taken when using a poultice. Before attempting to remove a stain from stone you must first determine what caused it. Here is a list of stains and what to mix with the poultice to help remove them…
 

Apply the Poultice…

• Clean by blotting the stained area with water and stone soap
• Slightly pre-wet the stained area with distilled water (if available)
• Refer to the above information to determine which chemical to use for the stain.
• Mix the poultice material with the proper chemical until the consistency is similar to peanut-butter.
• Apply the paste to the stained area with a wood or plastic spatula
• The paste should be ¼” to ½” thick.
• Cover with a plastic sandwich bag or food wrap. Tape the plastic down using low-contact painters tape./li>
• Allow the paste to sit for 12–48 hours or until dry.
• Remove the plastic cover and remove the paste with the wood or plastic spatula taking care not to scratch the stone.
• Thoroughly rinse the area.
• Examine the stain, if it is still there but somewhat lighter, repeat the above steps until it is gone. If the stain seems the same as when you started please call us.

Please Note: Some stains may never be completely removed but usually lighten with time.

For a better idea on how to use a poultice please click on the link below…
Marble-Institute

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