Cleaning Procedures and Recommendations

Floor Surfaces

Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the surface.

Countertop Surfaces

Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleanser, stone soap(available at hardware stores or from your stone dealers) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solutions and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Bath and Other Wet Areas

In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about ½ cup of ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.

Vanity Top Surfaces

Vanity tops should follow the same sealing process as the countertops as detailed below. Because of the daily use of marble, limestone and travertine in bathrooms, vanity tops need to be sealed more often. We recommend this should be done twice a year.

Sealing Countertop Surfaces

Reseal countertops at least once a year with a penetrating sealer made for stone products such as Aquamix Stone Sealers or Pourous Plus 511 (we recommend Pourous Plus 511). When using any product made for stone cleaning or sealing directions must be followed carefully and precisely. Dushi Marble and Granite suggests that late in the day, pour approximately 1/4 cup of the sealer in a few spots on the countertop, then dampen the cloth with some of the sealer. Spread the sealer in a circular motion across the entire surface. Leave it overnight to soak into the surface. It will form a sand like feel on the countertop and it is muddy in appearance. The next morning, rinse off the sealer with a damp cloth that has been soaked with soap and water. Once this has been completed, you are ready to use your countertops for the next six months to a year.

Blot any spills with a paper towel or a soft cloth immediately. Flush area with plain water, mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat if necessary. If the stone is stained, identifying the type of stain is key to removing it. Once the origin of the stain has been determined it is best to check with us for the correct procedure to remove the stain. There are many do-it-yourself products available with instructions for stain removing. You should follow the instructions very carefully. It is important to note that in cases such as these, you should always consult with Dushi Marble and Granite prior to attempting to remove any stain. After any stain removal procedure, it is advisable to wash thoroughly with a mild liquid dishwashing detergent or stone cleaner. Be sure to rinse, dry and reseal the countertop.

Precautions

Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull stone surface. Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

Natural Stone Care and Maintenance

Do’s and Don’ts

• Do dust mop floors frequently
• Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap
• Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing
• Do blot up spills immediately
• Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats.
• Don’t use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, and travertine or onyx surfaces.
• Don’t use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners.
• Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleaners or soft cleaners
• Don’t mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic/lethal gas
• Stains

The following are the most common groups of stain causes:

• Oil Based – grease, tar cooking oil, milk, cosmetics and mayonnaise
• Organic – coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, newspaper, food
• Metal – iron, rust, copper, bronze
• Biological – algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi
• Ink and Paint

Please feel free to contact us at Dushi Marble and Granite with any problems that appear too difficult to treat for alternative solutions. We would be more than happy to assist you.