STONE CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Stone Care

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Family Owned
FREE Estimates
Great Service

Stone Care Instructions

The first step in proper stone care and maintenance is to understand your stone's geological classification and composition. This information will help you identify what cleaning products to use and how best to care for your natural stone.

Natural stone is categorized into three basic geological classifications:

Sedimentary
Metamorphic
Igneous

Additionally, stones in each category can be either calcareous or siliceous.

	Sedimentary	Metamorphic	Igneous
Calcareous	Limestone, Travertine, and Onyx	Marble and Serpentine
Siliceous	Sandstone	Slate, Quartzite, and Soapstone	Granite

Calcareous stone is composed mainly of calcium carbonate. This stone is sensitive to acidic solutions, so mild (PH neutral) non-abrasive cleaners are recommended. Stone that has been etched by acidic or high alkalinity substances is not a warranty item.

Siliceous stone is composed primarily of silicates. This stone is less sensitive to acidic solutions, and is generally resistant to most acids found in kitchen settings. However, acidic cleaners are still not recommended as these stones may contain trace levels of minerals that are acid sensitive.

To get the longest life and preserve the beauty of your natural stone, follow these simple tips:

Coasters: Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices.
Trivets: While most stone can withstand heat, the use of trivets or mats is recommended.
Spills: Blot spills with a paper towel immediately. Don't wipe the area, it will spread the spill. Flush the area with water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.
Cleaning: Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a PH neutral liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. After cleaning, rinse stone surface thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
Sealing: Sealing is a common step used to inhibit staining. Sealing products used in the stone industry are impregnators which do not actually seal the stone, but more correctly act as a repellent rather than a sealer. Sealing does not make stone stain proof. It makes stone more stain resistant. Some stones may not require a sealer but typical practice is to apply it to all stones. For food prep areas, be sure to use a food-grade sealer. Sealers (impregnators) will give you a window of time in which to clean up a spill. This window is typically measured in minutes (up to an hour depending on the stone) not days. With any spill, there is a degree of compromise to your sealer and your window of stain resistance will be either shortened or eliminated. A good practice is to reseal the place of the spill as soon as you can. It is also a good practice to reseal the entire countertop biannually.
Stains: Identifying the type of stain on the stone surface is the key to removing it. Stains can be oil based, organic, metallic, biological, ink based, paint based, or acid based. There are some specific stain removal products based on what type stain it is. If you do not know what type stain it is, a general purpose stain remover is the place to start. These can be found online or your fabricator can direct you where to find it. Stains are not warranty items.
Scratches: Stone materials that are typically soft and easily scratched would be limestone, travertine, onyx, soapstone, marble, sandstone, slate, and serpentine. Extra care must be taken to prevent scratches from abrasive or sharp objects that may come in contact with the stone surface. Felt or rubber pads for appliances, canisters, etc. are advisable. Cutting boards will help protect your stone surface during food prep. If the surface is scratched you may need to call a stone professional that specializes in stone restoration. Scratches are not warranty items.
Etching: Calcareous natural stone may be etched by highly acidic or alkaline substances. Use mild hand soaps, mild lotions, etc. for your countertop. If etching occurs, you will need to obtain 'Etch Remover' and your etched surface can be easily restored. Products like this are readily available on the internet and most work well with just some paper towel and a circular rubbing motion.