Spring Cleaning: Stone Deep Cleaning and Polishing Tips

Summary

When it comes to cleaning stone, you need to be wary of what products you're using. Here are our tips for achieving the most perfectly polished surfaces.

It’s that time of year again… time for an annual spring cleaning of your home! While it’s nobody’s favorite item on their to-do list, an annual deep clean can do wonders for your interior and exterior spaces, ensuring they hold up all year long. Trust us, putting in the work now is well worth it!

One of the crucial things that should always be on your spring deep-cleaning list is an intensive clean and polish of your stone countertops, from your kitchen to your bathroom to any other areas in between. Keep reading for some tips to get you started that’ll ensure sparkling surfaces throughout your home!

Use the Right Cleaner

Always go for a pH-neutral cleaner specifically designed for natural stone, and avoid acidic or alkaline cleaners that can potentially scratch a stone surface, leave permanent marks, damage the protective sealant, and cause dullness—all of which leads to permanent damage. Because most stones are sensitive to acids and bases, pH-neutral cleaners are the go-to as they are gentle enough to use daily or weekly and will help preserve natural shine and texture.

Use Soft, Nonabrasive Cloth

A grimy old scoured sponge, tough paper towel, or—heaven forbid!—steel wool are not your friend when it comes to scrubbing natural stone. Instead, you’ll want to use a gentle microfiber cleaning cloth that’s easy on clean granite, marble, and other natural stone and quartz surfaces. These help lift away and trap dust, dirt, and other soils. Soft, nonabrasive cleaning cloths are readily available at places like Home Depot and on Amazon.

Avoid Using Too Much Water

Stone is very porous, meaning it can easily absorb water. Too much water, and it can seep in, causing serious long-term problems like stains, discoloration, or dullness—even etching, erosion, or mold. Water will also break down sealants and leave your stone even more vulnerable. Use a damp (not soaking wet!) cloth, and always dry your surfaces completely after using water or cleaner.

Clean Spills Immediately

When it comes to stains or spills, you’ll want to take immediate action in order to prevent any damage over time. Immediately blot spills—don’t wipe!—with a clean, dry cloth. Depending on the spill, you can then use at-home remedies to ensure it doesn’t leave a stain. Baking soda and water, or hydrogen peroxide, can be great solutions. Just make sure to test them on a small area first.

Unfortunately, maintaining pristine countertops isn’t just a once-a-year job. Ensure your stone lasts as long as possible by keeping up with cleaning and maintenance throughout the year. Your surfaces will thank you—and you’ll get rewarded with shiny, durable countertops!

Spring Cleaning—or Spring Buying?!

In the market for a new stone countertop? That’s where Absolute Stone comes in! We have a massive selection of inventory full of different stone styles for all types of tastes and preferences—from granite and marble to quartz and porcelain. Not to mention we pride ourselves on providing you with a hassle-free experience that goes above and beyond your expectations. Not sure where to start? Take our Counterotp Personality Quiz or request an appointment with a member of our team. We also encourage you to visit our showroom at 151 Towerview Court in Cary!