Due to the porous nature of stones, one of the most common and frustrating threats to their integrity is staining. Stains can be caused by variety of agents, including water, acids, metals, oils, and microorganisms.
Organic stains – make a poultice with one of the powdered poultice materials and 12% hydrogen peroxide solution, or you may use acetone instead of the hydrogen peroxide. Oil-based stains – you should make a poultice with baking soda and water or one of the powdered poultice materials and mineral spirits.
There is a misconception that stone stains easily. It may stain easier than ceramic or porcelain, but timber would have the same issues. It's like if you drop something on your carpet, you will clean it up quickly so it doesn't soak in and stain. The same concept applies for natural stone.
Using a sealer on natural stone helps to protect it against stains, while also giving you a little extra time to clean up any spills that may occur on your surface. It's important to note that while sealant does provide an extra barrier for your stone, everyday wear and tear will often still cause it to etch.
If you want to attempt to remove product residue or hard water build up yourself, spray the stone with a pH-neutral, stone-safe cleaner and allow ample dwell time to soften the residue. Then using gentle pressure and a white Scotch Brite pad or a Dobie pad, clean the stone.
Efflorescence is caused by moisture during or after installation. The moisture causes salt to rise to the surface of stone & mortar which creates the white powder on the stone.
Did you know that the white, powdery tint on brick and stone has a name? Yep. It's Efflorescence. This substance is a deposit of salts which form if water is present.
Quartz is the most stain resistant material because it is engineered with ground-up natural stone and resin. This creates a non-porous material that is highly stain resistant. Quartz is also easy to maintain as no sealer is required.
⇒ Instead of removing stains, vinegar can cause hard stains on the natural stone. ⇒ Also, vinegar can cause etching on the natural stone surface during stain removal. So, you should refer to the preventive tips for cleaning natural stones without damaging them.
Because these stones have a high porosity, it's important to seal them about every six months and clean them with solutions specially designed for natural stone. This upkeep is essential to making sure your floors and countertops remain beautiful and functional for decades to come.
When cleaning natural stones like marble, limestone, and onyx, you can't reach for your regular cleaners like white vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or abrasive cleansers. These cleaners are too acidic for natural stone and can damage or etch the stone (although some can help remove rust from concrete).
The weight of the natural stone is heavier than artificial stone, and therefore its use in the building is time-consuming. Climate and environmental changes affect the texture of the rock and cause cracking, mildew, and dandruff on the surface.
On average, the lifespan of natural stones, like marble and granite, can be well over 100 years. That's compared to ceramic tile with a life expectancy of 75 years.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone.
So if you want to maintain a consistent wet/darker look that enhances the colors of the stone, then you have to reapply it probably every 6 months or so depending on your preferences and the climatic conditions of the area.
DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges.
Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time.
Apply a paste of baking soda and water over the stain and leave it for 24 hours. Gently scrub the area and rinse it with plain water. Stains on Sandstone pavers, Travertine floor tiles, and Marble floors can easily be cleaned with a baking soda solution.
If you are face with a very difficult oil stain that you cannot remove on the stone than baking soda may be one of the few options you have.
Vinegar is low on the pH level, which makes it acidic, and we already mentioned that baking soda is caustic, thus resulting in a volatile combination for porous stone surfaces. On dark slate, for example, this mixture will leave a stain that looks like a discoloration spot.
Natural stone, as beautiful and tough as it may be, is also somewhat fragile. While it defies the barriers of time and is extraordinarily durable, it requires a certain level of TLC to ensure it retains its original splendour.
Maintenance and Cleaning of Natural Stone Surfaces
Marble and granite are easier to maintain than you'd expect. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth will clean and shine on both surfaces. You can also clean with a stone specific cleaner formulated to be gentle and effective on stone surfaces.
In conclusion the fading of stone is a real issue – it does happen. It must be remembered that it is mainly a problem in the limestone and marble (sedimentary and metamorphic) families as far as commercial dimensional stone is concerned.
What you should Not Do: Don't use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine, or onyx surfaces. Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners. Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
Countertops. If you want to keep your stone countertops looking beautiful, don't reach for vinegar. The acid etches and dulls natural stone such as marble and limestone. It can slowly dissolve them, according to Beckman.
While it's not generally wise to use abrasive cleaners on your natural stone countertops, you can safely treat stubborn hard water stains with a paste of baking soda and water. Simply apply it to the affected area and scrub it with a soft-bristled brush, then rinse with water and dry with a microfiber cloth.