How to Clean Marble:

1. Wipe down marble weekly with a damp towel or chamois using a neutral/nonabrasive PH-balanced cleaner.  Cleaners such as acetone, clear ammonia or hydrogen peroxide may be used for tough stains.
2. Apply cleaner to cloth then buff until dry.
3. After cleaning, polish with a marble polish containing tin oxide.
4. Marble floors should be sealed with a stone sealer to protect the marble from stains or scratches then cleaned as needed with nonabrasive floor cleaners.

 

Tips & Warnings:

• Use rugs to cover marble floors, coasters under glasses, and plastic under cosmetics to prevent stains and scratches.
• Refer scratches of any depth to a professional.
• Powdered cleaners will damage surfaces, and should be NOT be used for cleaning.
• Even weak acids such as vinegar, wine, orange juice, and cola may damage marble surfaces and should be cleaned immediately.

 

 

How to Clean Granite:

1. Spills require immediate attention before penetrating the surface of the granite.
2. Clean surface using a soft, clean cloth and a small amount of a soapy neutral
   cleanser, soapstone, or dish soap in warm water.  *Results of stain removal are best achieved by treating the stain according to it’s spill type:
3. Scrape away paste with a wooden utensil and rinse with water.
4. Dry with soft, clean cloth.
5. Reseal granite every 1-2 years based on recommendation of your installer.  Use non-toxic sealer on surfaces that come into contact with food.

 

•  General stain; Mix 1-2 tablespoons dishwashing liquid with 1 cup flour and warm water to make a paste. Apply paste, cover with plastic then leave overnight.
• If stain is oil based (oil, milk or grease) use hydrogen peroxide in place of the dishwashing liquid, or use ammonia. -THEN- Apply a mixture of molding plaster and water in the shape of a bird’s nest over the stain.  Allow to stand for 3 hours. Remove and rinse with water.
• If stain is organic (coffee, tea or fruit) use a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with a couple drops of ammonia.
•  If the stain is ink, marker or wine on dark granite, clean surface with a lacquer thinner or acetone.  On light-colored granite, use hydrogen
  peroxide. -THEN- Mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste. Spread over non-oil stain.  Leave paste on stain for 30 minutes, remove and rinse.

 

Tips & Warnings:

• Consult a professional supplier, installer or restoration specialist if problem appears too difficult to repair or treat stains or scratches.
• Use non-toxic sealer on surfaces that come into contact with food.
• Consider switching to a disinfectant cleaner specifically designed for the treatment of granite surfaces.
• Always use coasters under glasses as many foods and drinks often contain acids that may damage surfaces.
• Use mats and trivets under hot stone surfaces as well as cookware that could potentially scratch surfaces.
• Do not use acidic products (lemon or orange juice, vinegar), strong detergents or corrosive liquids (dry or ‘soft’ cleansers, scouring powders) on marble or limestone as they may damage or dull the polish on their surfaces.
• Never mix ammonia and bleach together as a cleaning agent – the mixture result is a toxic and lethal gas!

 

 

How to Clean Limestone

1. Remove spills immediately as many foods and juices contain acidic properties that may deteriorate the stone or dull its finish.
2. Rinse and dry the stone’s surface to prevent streaking.
3. Spot cleaning daily as-necessary is sufficient. If a stain appears attend to it as soon as possible with a mild solution of detergent.  If detergent is unsuccessful, apply a poultice to draw out the stain.

 

Tips and Warnings:

• DO NOT use acidic natural cleansers such as vinegar or lemon juice on your stone.
• DO NOT use acidic chemical cleansers such as bathroom, grout or tile cleaners.
• DO NOT use abrasive cleaners such as dry or soft cleansers.
• DO NOT mix any chemicals together unless specifically instructed to do so.

 

 

How to Clean Soapstone

1. Sanding Scratches – Most scratches will disappear by directly applying a dab of mineral oil.  To permanently remove the scratch, buff the scratch with 80 grit sandpaper. Apply medium pressure while sanding.  In addition, a sanding sponge is recommended.  Sand out scratch until it is gone.
2. Oiling – A light coat of mineral oil will need to be applied to the sanded area where the scratch was.  Repeat mineral oil application 2-3 times in the duration of 2-3 days until the rest of the stone matches the previously sanded spot.

 

Tips & Warnings:

• Soapstone should be wiped down daily or as necessary.  To restore luster and to keep stone looking new, apply a light coat of mineral oil monthly or more frequently as it is needed.
• Reseal granite every 1-2 years based on recommendation of your installer.  Use non-toxic sealer on surfaces that come into contact with food.