There are a few people who would not like to have in their home a place where natural stone has a distinct role: a staircase, the parlor floor, a fireplace, a barbecue corner, or in more common places such as the bathroom or kitchen hallways.
The main hesitation that comes up when thinking about laying stone in our house is not related, as many think, to its cost, but rather to how it is maintained and cleaned.
We will try to discuss how to solve the problems of this issue in all its aspects as much as possible.
We will first present simple solutions, the ones that are most within our reach, and available in the materials we use daily in our homes for cleaning.
In a later article, we will suggest to you the special materials for this purpose, i.e. those that have been specially developed in order for the cleaning of natural stones to be as effective as possible without harming them, their luster, their color or their texture.
Simple solutions for different types of stains
The best way to clean natural stone, whether it's marble, sandstone, or slate, is with water mixed with a little soap with a neutral hydrogen, such as dishwashing liquid.
We can do the cleaning process using water and a little ammonia, or water with a little bleaching liquid, but it is better to use ammonia because it is not an acid but a base and therefore it is less harmful to the stones.
What we should never do is mix ammonia with bleach, as this mixture produces a vapor that can be insecticidal when inhaled.
The stones can be cleaned with a sponge, a soft cloth or a soft brush to avoid scratching the surface by following a circular motion. After that, rinse well and dry quickly using a soft cloth. If we let the stones air dry, they will surely appear white spots and lose their luster.
Fat: It is not only kitchen stoves that are subject to greasy stains, as well as barbecue stoves and the floors of those places where we usually eat meals in our homes or places where we put decorative candles, or cosmetics that leave their marks.
Barbecue grills and the floor around them are usually untreated stone, meaning they have not been polished and are therefore highly porous. There is an effective way to treat it, which is talcum powder. We apply a good amount on the stain to the extent of covering it and leave the powder to take effect within a few days, the longer the period, the better the result. If the stain is not completely wiped off when removing the powder, we must repeat the same process.
There is another remedy that we get by mixing soda bicarbonate with a little water. We apply the mixture, then cover it and let it take effect.
Rust: Stains that have oxidized by the effect of metal on the stone are cleaned by applying a mixture of lemon juice and salt.
It should be taken into account that lemon is an acidic substance, so it should be left to react within a short time because it may affect the erosion of the luster of the stones. Rinse with plenty of water before going to dry. If it's polished marble or travertine, it will lose its luster.
Organic: The stains that result from some food items such as coffee, rotting leaves, fungi, lichens, and others.
The most effective way is if we cannot remove it by the methods we mentioned earlier, that is, using water, washing-up liquid, ammonia or bleaching liquid. The other way out is to dissolve hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia and leave it on the stain to interact with it.
Paint and ink: These stains are more complex than the previous ones. Both are cleaned with solvents or paint removers: there are several types, the most common being methylene chloride or mineral alcohol. Be aware that methylene chloride is a dangerous substance.
As for ink, we can try using a mixture of water and bleach on light-colored stones and acetone on dark colors.
These substances are very aggressive, and therefore should be used very carefully.
Ultra-dirty floors: When the floor, especially marble, is very dirty, we can clean it from time to time using half a bucket of water mixed with a bottle of hydrogen peroxide of 300 cm³.
Simple tricks for polishing
1. A handful of salt is rubbed with a damp cloth. Rinse well and pat dry with another soft, dry cloth.
2. Using polished wax or free wax. It is rubbed after it dries.
3. A cloth slightly dampened with gasoline is rubbed with it and then left to dry.
4. Using aerosols to clean wood, they usually contain wax.
5. Using crystal cleaner.
6. For black stones, black shoe polish can be used.
Applying layers of wax to cut natural stones is a valid process, in addition to polishing, it enables sealing of the pores. But when many layers of wax are applied one on the other, especially on light colors, it may give them a yellowish appearance.
In order to avoid these consequences, the excess layers of wax must be removed using a special substance in this regard, i.e. wax remover, then cleaning with neutral soap and water is applied and the wax is applied again.
Conclusion
There are no excuses. If you are a lover of natural stones, then choose according to your taste, you have a world of colors and types at your disposal, you will surely find what will satisfy you. Decorate your home without fear and enjoy watching a piece of nature inside your home.
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