Know your stone:
The natural stones that we offer in our range can be classified into three categories according to their compositions: granites, siliceous stones and limestone stones. Knowing the difference between these compositions is essential when choosing cleaning products.
Silica stones are composed mainly of particles of silica, feldspar or quartz. This type of stone includes: granite, slate, sandstone, quartzite, brownstone and bluestone. This mineral composition makes the siliceous stone very hard, massive, dense and resistant. It is easy to clean with mild acidic cleaning solutions.
Limestone contains in particular crystallized calcium carbonate. Limestones include: marble, travertine, limestone and onyx. Limestones, in general, are sensitive to acids which react directly with the stone. This stone therefore requires more precautions as well as different cleaning procedures than siliceous stone or granite. Similarly, since limestone is generally soft, shocks on one of its angles or edges should be avoided.
Maintenance tips:
Basic rule:
Avoid acids. Clean any acid in contact with your worktop immediately (citric, vinegar, wine, champagne…) and avoid acid-based cleaning products, especially with marble and limestone.
How to clean?
Dust surfaces regularly with a dry, untreated feather duster. Clean with a soft cloth that is dry of slightly dampened with soapy water. Use a neutral cleanser, Marseille soap or a mild liquid detergent. Rinse the surface thoroughly.
Daily cleaning:
Regularly dust the surfaces with a dry, untreated feather duster, or with a cloth lightly dampened in soapy water. Dust and dirt are abrasive and can damage your stone over time. In addition, daily maintenance prevents cleaning with more aggressive products from becoming necessary.
Handheld vacuum cleaners: Make sure the metal or plastic attachments or wheels are not worn, as they could scratch the surface of some soft stones.
How to remove stains?
- Stains from acids cannot in principle be removed since it is not a real stain – that is to say an “addition of material” – but a “removal of matter” resulting from a chemical reaction between acid and calcium.
Nevertheless, acidic stains can be removed by repolishing the worktop. Thus, any worktop can be repolished as many times as you wish and thus be returned to its initial state. - Oil-based stains (grease, plumber’s putty, tar, cooking oil, milk, cosmetics) must be chemically dissolved so that the source of the stain can be removed or rinsed away. Clean gently with a mild, liquid product containing one of the following: household detergent, mineral spirits or acetone.
- Other tasks, e.g., inks, paint, metal (rust, etc.): For any other type of task, do not hesitate to contact us. We will always be available to advise you on the maintenance and cleaning of your worktop.
