Prevention is without a doubt better than dealing with the consequences of damage due to lack of care and abuse, not to mention that while preventative measures may cost a little bit of money right away, they can help save you a major hit to the wallet later on. Especially when talking about natural stone. Its natural beauty and rich luxury that natural stone can bring to your home is unrivaled by any other material, but it can be extremely prone to staining, scratching and etching, which is why they require regular maintenance and lots of care.
Granite and marble flooring are two of the most popular types of natural stone flooring because of their versatility and the amazing color and luster. It can add a wonderful vibe and cool, royal feel to your home and has a wonderful versatility that can be used for flooring, walls and counter tops. Unfortunately, granite tends to stain easily when oils or acids are spilled on it, and marble is extremely vulnerable to scratches, which make the flooring look foggy or dirty, even when clean.
In order to prevent granite from staining, you should take special care to clean up any spills as soon as they occur, wiping them away completely and thoroughly. In order to wash any residue off, it’s best to use a very mild soap and warm water, agitating the area with a clean rag or sponge, then rinsing and drying the area completely. If staining does take hold, there are a number of acids and chemicals that can be purchased to help clean them. Granite counter tops can be easily cleaned with mineral spirits, bleach, acetone and other cleaners, though food stains can be cleaned up with a concentrated solution of hydrogen peroxide and a couple drops of ammonia.
Marble floors are incredibly vulnerable to scratches and should be kept away from sharp furniture or other utensils, and any furniture should likely have soft coasters under the feet to prevent scarring. Marble floors should be cleaned regular with mild detergents and hot water to keep dirt and debris from scratching the surface. If the marble becomes stained, a little bit of ammonia can be used, though it should not be used in large quantities since the ammonia can hamper the beautiful shine that marble is known for.
Natural stone is a wonderful resource to be able to have in your home, and with proper care and awareness as to what your marble or granite stone can handle, you can keep it looking like the day you had it installed.