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Natural stone offers unparalleled visual aesthetics, making it a very popular choice for remodeling and new construction projects.  However, to keep your surfaces looking great for years, you need to take extra care of the surfaces and ensure they are regularly cleaned and maintained.  Today, we are going to take a look at a list of DO’s and DON’TS that can help you keep your natural stone looking great throughout its entire lifetime:

DO:

• Use Coasters – Particularly if the glass contains alcohol or citrus; the acids in these liquids can cause damage to natural stone, even if completely sealed.
• Dust & Clean Regularly – Keeping your surfaces dust free and clean can dramatically extend their lifespan, and reduce the amount of sealing work that needs to be done on the project.
• Use Mild Detergent or Stone Soap – Don’t clean your natural stone with any old cleaning product. Ensure that you select something suitable for use on natural stone surfaces to avoid causing damage during cleaning.
• Dry the Surface Completely – Even though natural stone surfaces are sealed, they are still susceptible to damage from moisture and liquid. Drying them completely after cleaning and use can help combat this issue.
• Clean Spills Quickly – If you do spill on your natural stone surface, ensure that you quickly clean it up; this will help you minimize potential staining issues.
• Use Protective Floor Surfaces – For natural stone floors, particularly in high traffic areas, a protective floor covering is often a good investment. Non-slip mats or area rugs are good choices that can help prevent scratches and dulling.
• Beware of Heat – If you regularly place hot cookware or dishes on your natural stone surface, be sure to use hot pads or mats to protect your natural stone surface.

DO NOT:

• Use General Purpose Cleaners – Anything with vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or any acidic component is not a good choice for use on natural stone surfaces as it can cause damage. This includes anything with lemon juice in it, many bathroom cleaning products, as well as grout, tile, or tub cleaners.
• Avoid Abrasives – Don’t polish your natural stone surface with anything that is abrasive; carefully check the label of any so-called dry or soft cleaning product to ensure that it won’t damage your surface.
• Cut Directly on Your Surface – Always use a cutting board on natural stone surfaces. While it is unlikely that you will damage the surface with the blade itself, the juices released when cutting fruits, vegetables, or other foods can damage your surface.
• Forget Maintenance Routine – Natural stone surfaces need to be regularly inspected and maintained. This includes re-sealing when needed to help minimize the risk to the surface, and unless you are diligent about care, you may find your natural stone surface damaged.

Hopefully you find these tips helpful.  At Pavlinastone, we are committed to providing our customers the knowledge and tools they need to keep their natural stone or solid surfaces in tip top condition.  For more information, make sure to check out the rest of our site.