Eco-Friendly Cleaning Practices

Choosing natural stone surfaces for your home is a great way to improve its curb appeal and add a unique style to your space. However, have you considered how you'll maintain the integrity of your natural stone countertops?

While natural stone surfaces are made of sustainable and durable materials, they are susceptible to wear and tear. Therefore, maintaining your natural stone countertops should be a top priority to increase its longevity.

Natural stone slabs are beautiful in many different spaces and all of the stones can be used in different ways to get the most out of each one. If you aren’t careful, you can easily damage your stone. One way to do this is by picking the wrong stone for what it will be used for. Some stones scratch more easily than others, which means that it would not be a great choice for a kitchen countertop that comes into contact with knives and other sharp objects. 

Another way that you can damage your stone is by not cleaning up spills right away, which can end up staining the stone. Lastly, when you use harsh chemicals to clean your stone pieces, you also run the risk of damaging them. The best way to avoid this is by choosing the perfect cleaning products for your stone. 

Choosing the right cleaning products

There are various types of natural stone slabs, such as granite, marble, limestone, and quartz, and each uses different cleaning products and processes. For instance, limestone is a soft natural stone; thus, cleaning it with abrasives can damage its surface.

Before choosing your cleaning products, ask yourself the following questions:

• What type of stone do you have? And is it porous or non-porous?
• Is your stone resistant to staining, etching, and scratching?
• What kind of finish does your stone have? E.g., flamed, honed, or polished.

Additionally, the cleaning issue you have determines the process and type of cleaning product you'll use. For example, do you have:

• Dirt and debris build-up?
• Normal wear and tear?
• Chemical spills?
• Oily surfaces?

Once you have all this information, go ahead and pick the right environmentally friendly product for your natural stone surface. Eco-friendly products have the following characteristics:

• Contain no harsh chemicals
• Are water-based
• Biodegradable
• Produce no toxins
• The packaging is recyclable and minimal

You can ask your contractor for cleaning products to use when they install your natural stone slabs.

Maintenance practices

First, ensure that no debris or dirt is coming into your home as they may adversely impact your natural stone surface. You can install floor mats at entrances and create a transition, which contains dirty shoes, clothing and pets.

Second, make it a habit to practice habits that don't impact the integrity of your natural stone countertops. For example, use coasters for drinks and don't set hot pans directly on your stone surface. Also, clean your natural stone surfaces regularly with a soft cloth or mop to prevent the build-up of grit and dirt.

Lastly, seal your natural stone surfaces to maintain their beauty and protect them from etching and scratching. 

If you are looking to incorporate a few stone pieces into your space, give us a call! At GMS Werks, we can help you pick the perfect natural stone that will keep your space looking elegant, unique and timeless.