If you visit a shopping store, you will be amazed by the number of products that promise to help maintain and keep natural stone in good shape. It comes in the form of granite cleaners and stone care products. They perform plenty of tasks, such as cleaning, polishing, and sealing natural stones.
Stone polishing and sealing are tricky endeavors and would require knowledge of the best products and how to use them. However, before you go ahead and buy a natural stone cleaning product, make sure you are doing the basic maintenance. Yes, you don’t actually need to spend money on stone cleaning products, although you have the option to do so. In this article, we will discuss the basic steps to taking good care of natural stone, such as granite stones, commonly used as kitchen countertops. These are the following:
Regular Cleaning –
Even If your stone appears clean on the surface, it does not necessarily mean it is clean, especially if it is situated in areas with heavy traffic. Make it a habit to clean the natural stone regularly. If it is used as a countertop, make sure you clean it every time after meal preparation. It is to ensure that no particle remains sitting on the stone, as it can have a detrimental effect on the stone. However, when cleaning the stone, make sure you do not use abrasives and strong cleaners as they can alter the protective seal of the stone. Making such a mistake can lead to costly repairs in the future. There are instances when repair no longer helps and you are left with no choice but to replace the stone.
Apply Sealant Frequently –
When it comes to handling stones, there is no such thing as over sealing. In fact, it is a must to maintain maximum surface protection. It prevents substances, especially liquid, from penetrating underneath the stone. Furthermore, sealing makes the stone resistant to staining, build-up of soil, and etching. You can perform a water test at home to check the integrity of the seal. It’s a simple test that helps determine the quality of sealant. Get water and pour at least 3 inches in diameter on the stone’s surface in various locations and let the water sit there for at least 30 minutes. You can see if the water penetrates through the stone if you notice a ring or dark mark on the stone’s surface. It’s an indicator that you need to start resealing the stone.
Polish Regularly –
Another thing you can do for your stone is to polish it regularly. After cleaning the stone, polish it to bring out the stone’s natural beauty. Aside from the aesthetic reason, polishing will also strengthen the protective seal, making it resilient to water spots and fingerprints. It also helps prevent scum buildup, especially in the shower area.
Caring for natural stone isn’t that hard. It all boils down to keeping the stone clean, regular polishing, and periodic sealing. Doing these things can help prevent the lifespan of your stone.