Natural Stone and Tile Care Do's and Don'ts

Do use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
Do use place mats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that may scratch your stone's surface. Especially with softer stones like travertine, marble and limestone.
Do dust countertops frequently.
Do blot up spills immediately to minimize damage to the stone.
Do clean surfaces with pH balanced cleaners designed especially for stone, and dry with a clean cloth. Micro Fiber towels are the best.


Don't use vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or other general purpose cleaners.
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 cleanser or soft scrub.


What to do when a spill occurs
No matter how careful you are, spills are going to happen. A quick response and the right solution can keep spills from damaging your stone or its sealer.
Etch Marks - The dull spot created when liquids containing acids are spilled on marble is called etching. Substances that are highly acidic, such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato products, mustard, and many soft drinks, will etch most softer stones like marble, limestone or travertine whether the stone is sealed or not. Granite is more acid-resistant and will rarely etch. Avoid using cleaners and chemicals that contain acids. Bathroom cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and lemon cleaners commonly contain acids. Although sealing allows you time to wipe up a spill, it cannot stop the chemical reaction that may leave a dull area or etch mark in the stone. Professional refinishing is the best way to remove etch marks and restore your stone's even finish.
Liquid Spills - Blot away excess with a clean, dry, white cloth; turning the cloth frequently. Clean with a pH balanced stone cleaner, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a clean cloth.
Mud - Let the mud dry completely. remove dried mud with a soft plastic or nylon brush. Clean with a ph balanced stone cleaner, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a clean cloth.
Oily Stains - If you identify the stain as having an oil base (from foods like salad and cooking oils, butter, or some cosmetics) you may be able to remove the stain using a poultice. Contact your stone and tile care professional for more information.


Most household cleaners are too harsh for natural stone and grout care and will degrade your sealer over time.

Good info.. just needs the american terminology altering....

Originally Posted by enduro

Natural Stone and Tile Care Do's and Don'ts

Do use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
Do use place mats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that may scratch your stone's surface. Especially with softer stones like travertine, marble and limestone.
Do dust countertops frequently.
Do blot up spills immediately to minimize damage to the stone.
Do clean surfaces with pH balanced cleaners designed especially for stone, and dry with a clean cloth. Micro Fiber towels are the best.


Don't use vinegar, bleach, ammonia, or other general purpose cleaners.
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 cleanser or soft scrub.


What to do when a spill occurs
No matter how careful you are, spills are going to happen. A quick response and the right solution can keep spills from damaging your stone or its sealer.
Etch Marks - The dull spot created when liquids containing acids are spilled on marble is called etching. Substances that are highly acidic, such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato products, mustard, and many soft drinks, will etch most softer stones like marble, limestone or travertine whether the stone is sealed or not. Granite is more acid-resistant and will rarely etch. Avoid using cleaners and chemicals that contain acids. Bathroom cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and lemon cleaners commonly contain acids. Although sealing allows you time to wipe up a spill, it cannot stop the chemical reaction that may leave a dull area or etch mark in the stone. Professional refinishing is the best way to remove etch marks and restore your stone's even finish.
Liquid Spills - Blot away excess with a clean, dry, white cloth; turning the cloth frequently. Clean with a pH balanced stone cleaner, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a clean cloth.
Mud - Let the mud dry completely. remove dried mud with a soft plastic or nylon brush. Clean with a ph balanced stone cleaner, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a clean cloth.
Oily Stains - If you identify the stain as having an oil base (from foods like salad and cooking oils, butter, or some cosmetics) you may be able to remove the stain using a poultice. Contact your stone and tile care professional for more information.


Most household cleaners are too harsh for natural stone and grout care and will degrade your sealer over time.

"you may be able to remove the stain using a poultice."

What is a poultice ? Think this is a type of chicken ?

Making and Using a Poultice
A poultice is a liquid cleaner or chemical mixed with a white absorbent material to form a paste about the consistency of peanut butter. The poultice is spread over the stained area to a thickness of about 1/4 to 1/2 inch with a wood or plastic spatula, covered with plastic and left to work for 24 to 48 hours. The liquid cleaner or chemical will draw out the stain into the absorbent material. Poultice procedures may have to be repeated to thoroughly remove a stain, but some stains may never be completely removed.
Poultice Materials
Poultice materials include kaolin, fuller's earth, whiting, diatomaceous earth, powdered chalk, white molding plaster or talc. Approximately one pound of prepared poultice material will cover one square foot. Do not use whiting or iron-type clays such as fuller's earth with acid chemicals. The reaction will cancel the effect of the poultice. A poultice can also be prepared using white cotton balls, whitepaper towels or gauze pads.