There are many options when it comes to deciding what types of counters tops you would like in your home. Natural stone such as marble is an excellent choice because it can last a lifetime with proper care. Natural stone is so popular that more than 90% of homeowners who are renovating their kitchens are choosing natural stone materials over other options. Natural stone slabs make a beautiful addition to any home, so long as a few simple rules are followed. Read below to clarify the things that you should do and the things that you should not do in order to properly care for your natural stone counter tops and keep them looking their best for years to come.
Do
Use a damp washcloth to clean your natural stone counter tops. Choosing a microfiber cloth is the best choice. Use mild soap or cleaner to remove debris from your counter top. It is the best choice to use a product that is specifically tailored for your natural stone slabs, ceramic slabs, engineered stone or architectural stone.
Don’t
It is never a good choice to use abrasive cleaners on your natural stone counter tops. A protective sealant is applied to many natural stone slabs before they are installed as counter tops in a house. Using abrasive cleaners can strip this protective coating off of them. Rags should be soft as well. You should never use rough sponges as even this material is enough to ruin the protective coating applied to your natural stone.
Do
Clean any spills that might occur immediately. This keeps them from penetrating the protective layer of the counter top. Remove liquid with a cloth then clean to make sure no residue of the liquid is left from the spill.
Don’t
Set things directly on the counter top. Use coasters if you are going to set a glass on it. The condensation from the glass can seep through the protective layer that coats natural stone slabs used for counter tops. Always make sure that warm things are placed on things to keep from damaging your counter top. Also make sure that objects that could potentially scratch your counter top are placed on something to eliminate the scratches from penetrating the protective layer.
Do
Clean regularly. Clean dirt from not only your counter tops but also other areas where the dirt might travel and land on the counter top. Deep clean routinely to remove not only visible dirt but other debris that you might not be able to see.
Don’t
Allow acids to come in contact with your counter top. This includes vinegar for cleaning purposes. Acidic foods should not come in contact with your counter tops either. These things can damage the protective coating placed on the counter top.
While this list may seem extensive, these are things that you will learn over time. This information may seem new and overwhelming, but the more you use these tips the more you will become accustomed to them. Good habits are hard to learn, but learning these good habits will ensure that a well thought out investment stays beautiful in your home for many years to come.