<<Back The two most important things that you can do to care for granite countertops, stone flooring, or any natural stone surface are: 1. Remove any dust, grit, and sand from the stone's surface. 2. Clean up accidental spills as soon as possible. Care For Granite & Natural Stone Countertops • Wipe up any spills as soon as possible. If left unattended, the spills can etch the polish and dull the finish of the stone. Beverages such as coke and orange juice contain acidic materials that when in contact with calcium based stones (marble, limestone, travertine, and onyx) can deteriorate the stone. This doesn't burn a hole through your stone, it just loses its finish in the area of contact. • Use coasters or placemats on your natural stone surfaces. This is especially true for calcareous natural stones such as marble, onyx, and travertine. • Rinse and dry your natural stone surface after washing. This is very effective on dark stones to get rid of streaks. Miracle cloths are very effective for drying your darker stone to a streak free finish. • Daily cleanings should be accompanied by periodic deep cleanings. • Daily spot cleaning is simply wiping up any accidental spills promptly. If you do get a stain, attend to it as soon as possible with a slightly stronger solution of detergent and then a poultice if the detergent cleaner is unsuccessful. The DON'TS of Natural Stone Care • DON"T use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on your stone. • DON'T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners. • DON'T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers. • DON'T mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas. • DON'T ever mix chemicals together unless directions specifically instruct you to do so. The cleaning products you use should only be strong enough to do the required task and no more. AND, always call your professional stone supplier, installer, or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat yourself.     Copyright Southwest Granite & Stone. All Rights Reserved.