Stone Table Care
Cleaning Stone & Marble Table Tops
Most airborne dust and dirt can easily be removed with plain water. You should occasionally rinse off your table top to prevent debris from settling in and leave stains or discolorations. After rinsing, you can also use a mild detergent mixed with water and scrub the table top with a soft, clean cloth or sponge (one that won’t bleed color). Dry thoroughly after cleaning to prevent moisture penetration. Spills should always be cleaned up reasonably quickly, since over time they may begin to penetrate the sealant.
For more thorough cleaning, use a pH neutral cleaner such as Simple Green, a water-based biodegradable cleaner available in most supermarkets or harware stores. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, which can break down the sealant and possibly damage or discolor the stone. You should never use scouring creams, abrasive cleansers or acid based products (citrus, pine or vinegar cleaners). Also, you should not use alkaline-based products (ammonia, baking soda or borax) unless specifically formulated for use on natural stone or marble.
Preventative Maintenance For Stone & Marble Table Tops
Most high-quality stone tabletops are coated with a stone enhancing sealer. The best protection available, a sealer provides extraordinary resistance from stains and moisture and helps maintain the stone’s natural color. For optimum protection, tops should be resealed every 6 to 12 months after it has been thoroughly cleaned of dirt and debris. It takes just a few minutes to distribute an even coat of the sealer and then wipe the tabletop dry. Stone sealer is available as most hardware stores.
Cold Climates: We recommend that tabletops be stored in a dry area in cold climates or be covered with a suitable outdoor furniture cover. Make a tent with the cover so that it is not touching any part of the tabletop – this will promote airflow and allow moisture to escape. It is possible that snow sitting on a tabletop for an extended period of time could cause moisture to penetrate the sealer. Marble is porous, and if moisture were to enter the stone and freeze, the marble may crack. Always seal the tabletop before each winter.
Hot Climates: The porous nature of stone leaves it susceptible to heat retention. Care and caution should be exercised when handling stone that has been subjected to lengthy sun exposure.