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Getting rid of small stain
For stains on marble or stone, a product commonly referred to as “poultice” should be used. Poultice is used in a paste form and is applied to the surface, covering the entire area where the stain is. Then apply a piece of plastic, larger than the stain area, over the poultice and seal off with tape. Allow it to set the prescribed amount of time by the Manufacturer and remove plastic and poultice. The stain is normally drawn out of the stone. Some poultice type products push the stain down into the stone away from the surface and allow you to seal the stone, thus keeping the stain away from the surface. Some stains may require multiple applications or can only be partially removed.
Polishing
Polishing stones to make attractive edges or to fix damage done by chemicals can be done in small areas by most anyone. Kits are available which have all the products to do this in one box. If you have a large area that is damaged or if you want to establish a once-a-year regular maintenance procedure to keep your marble glowing with it’s original mirror finish, contact a company that specializes in this type of work.
Acids and Alcohol
Marble and Limestone are susceptible to the aggressive action of acids and alcohol. Care should be taken to remove spillages of fruit juice, particularly lemon, wine and vinegar, beetroot etc. e.g. the residue of red wine on the base of wineglasses will leave its mark. Nail varnish and any other solvent or oil based products will stain if not wiped up immediately.
Acidic cleaners will etch and remove the polished surfaces from alkaline stones like marble, travertine, and sandstone. Acidic cleaners will eventually erode the finish and make cleaning and maintenance more and more problematic. This is due to the tendency of acid cleaners to eat away at the smaller aggregates first leaving the larger stain attracting aggregates behind.
If In Doubt, Don’t Apply Any Cleaner Or Cleaning Technique
Some mistakes can be irreversible, always check labels on the product you are thinking of using and test an inconspicuous area first to see what effects, if any, your cleaning process will have.
Heavy Duty Cleaning:
For a large area or deep stain, we recommend you consult professional stone cleaning services.
The first step in stone maintenance is deciding if you should seal the stone.
Generally, it is a good idea for it to be sealed. There are many sealers on the market but we recommend you use a penetrating sealer. Follow the Manufacturers recommendations for the product you choose. Understand that the finish of the stone (polished, honed, flamed etc.) will effect how much sealer you need to use coupled with the density and porosity of the stone. After you do the initial sealing you should repeat it every two years or so as determined by the amount of use the item gets.
Everyday Cleaning:
Most stones, once protected, require occasional scrubbing to remove surface build-up of dirt and grime. Basic soap and water works great and mild dish washing liquid sometimes works quite well. Rinse thoroughly to remove any remaining cleaner.