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Best way to clean stone


Natural Stone Institute - Learn About Cleaning Products for Natural Stone

The first step in proper stone care and maintenance is to understand your stone's geological classification and composition. this information will help you to identify what cleaning products to use and how best to care for your natural stone.

Natural stone is categorized into three basic geological classifications by their respective formation processes: Sedimentary, Metamorphic and igneous. Additionally, stones in each category can be either Calcareous or Siliceous.

Calcareous stone is composed mainly of calcium carbonate, a chemical compound commonly found in natural stone, shells and pearls. Calcium Carbonate is sensitive to acidic solutions so mild, non-acidic cleaners are recommended.

Siliceous stone, as the term implies, is one composed primarily of silicates, such as quartz, feldspar, mica, etc. as such, a siliceous stone is generally resistant to most acids found in kitchen settings, although acidic cleaners are still not recommended, as these stones may contain trace levels of minerals that are acid sensitive.

The following chart will be a helpful guide:


Easy Care Tips

To get the longest life and preserve the beauty of your natural stone, follow these simple tips:

Coasters: Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices.

Trivets: While many stones can withstand heat, the use of trivets or mats is recommended.

Dust Mopping: Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit are abrasive and can damage natural stone.

Mats/rugs: Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that may scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a slip resistant surface.

Vacuum cleaners: If used, be sure the metal or plastic attachments or the wheels are not worn as they can scratch the surface of some stones.

Spills: Blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don't wipe the area, it will spread the spill. Flush the area with water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary.

Cleaning:

Cleaning Products:

Sealing

Sealing is a common step taken on some stones as an extra precaution against staining. In fact, the sealing products used in the stone industry are "impregnators" which do not actually seal the stone, but more correctly act as a repellent rather than a sealer. Sealing does not make the stone stain proof, rather it makes the stone more stain resistant. When consulting with your stone supplier, you may find that many stones do not require sealing. However, applying an impregnating sealer is a common practice.

When considering sealing, remember that sealing the stone does not make the stone stain proof, it makes it more resistant to staining.

If a sealer is applied in a food preparation area, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use.

Consult with your supplier or sealing manufacturer specific to the type of sealer and frequency of use recommended.

Stain Identification Tips

Identifying the type of stain on the stone surface is the key to removing it. Stains can be oil based, organic, metallic, biological, ink based, paint based, acid based. If you don't know what caused the stain, consider likely staining agents that may have been present. Here are some questions you consider:

Where is the Stain Located?

Stain Removal Steps

Surface stains can often be removed by cleaning with an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical.

What Type of Stain is It?

The following sections describe the types of stains you may have to deal with and the appropriate household chemicals to use and how to prepare and apply a poultice to remove the stain.

Oil-based
(grease, plumbers' putty, tar, cooking oil, milk, cosmetics)
An oil-based stain will darken the stone and normally must be chemically dissolved so the source of the stain can be flushed or rinsed away. Clean gently with a soft, liquid cleanser with one of the following: household detergent, mineral spirits, or acetone.

Organic
(coffee, tea, wine, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings)
May cause a pinkish-brown stain and may disappear after the source of the stain has been removed. Outdoors, with the sources removed, sun and rain action will generally bleach out the stains. Indoors, clean with 12% hydrogen peroxide (hair bleaching strength) and a few drops of ammonia.

Metal
(iron, rust, copper, bronze)
Iron or rust stains are orange to brown in color and follow the shape of the staining object such as nails, bolts, screws, cans, flower pots, metal furniture. Copper and bronze stains appear as green or muddy-brown and result from the action of moisture on nearby or embedded bronze, copper or brass items. Metal stains must be removed with a poultice. (See website on Using a Poultice. Deep-seated, rusty stains are extremely difficult to remove and the stone may be permanently stained.

Biological
(algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi)
Clean with diluted cleaning solution. Use a 1/2 cup of any of the following: ammonia, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide and a gallon of water. Reminder: do not mix bleach and ammonia.

Ink
(magic marker, pen, ink)
On light colored stones, clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. On dark colored stones, clean with lacquer thinner or acetone.

Paint
Small amounts can be removed with lacquer thinner or scraped off carefully with a razor blade. Heavy paint coverage should be removed only with a commercial "heavy liquid" paint stripper available from hardware stores and paint centers. These strippers normally contain caustic soda or lye. Do not use acids or flame tools to strip paint from stone. Paint strippers can etch the surface of the stone; repolishing may be necessary. Follow the manufacturer's directions for use of these products, and flush the area thoroughly with clean water. Protect yourself with rubber gloves and eye protection, and work in a well-ventilated area. Use only wood or plastic scrapers for removing the sludge and curdled paint. Normally, latex and acrylic paints will not cause staining. Oil-based paints, linseed oil, putty, caulks and sealants may cause oily stains. Refer to the section on oil-based stains.

Water Spots and Rings
(surface accumulation of hard water)
Buff with dry 0000 steel wool.

Fire and Smoke Damage
Older stones and smoke or firestained fireplaces may require a thorough cleaning. When the smoke is removed, there may also be some etching (due to carbonic & other acids in smoke). Commercially available "smoke removers" may save time and effort.

Etch Marks
(caused by acids left on the surface of the stone)
Some materials will etch the finish but not leave a stain. Others will both etch and stain. Contact your stone dealer or call a professional stone restorer for refinishing or repolishing etched areas.

Efflorescence
(a white powder that may appear on the surface of the stone)
It is caused by the deposition of mineral salts carried by water from below the surface of the stone. When the water evaporates, it leaves the powdery substance. If the installation is new, dust mop or vacuum the powder. You may have to do this several times as the stone dries out. Do not use water to remove the powder; it will only temporarily disappear. If the problem persists, contact your installer to help identify and remove the cause of the moisture.

Scratches and Nicks
Slight surface scratches may be buffed with dry 0000 steel wool. Deeper scratches and nicks in the surface of the stone should be repaired and repolished by a professional.

Using a Poultice
Click here for more information, or call a stone professional (recommended).

Natural Stone Easy to Clean and Maintain!
Call your professional stone supplier, installer or a restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to handle.

How to clean Natural Stone and what you shouldn't do!

The stone needs a special care so that its beauty and elegance prevail over time. Simple care and maintenance will help preserve the stone’s beauty for generations to come. LSI Stone recommends periodic cleaning of the natural stone.

Before you start cleaning, that are some crucial steps to understand the situation that you are facing. In order to reduce the stone damages caused by natural and human abrasion on the Natural stone, we introduce you this article to help you achieve better results.

First, it is important to recognize what type of stone finish you have. Although there are many stone finishes, these three are the most used.

  1. Polished: glossy surface that emphasizes the color and markings of the material as well as reflecting light.
  2. Honed: satin smooth surface with little reflection of light. It’s mostly used for floors, stairs, treads, thresholds, and other locations where heavy traffic will wear off the polished finish.

 

That are many Do’s and Don’t’s when it comes to clean and protect your natural stone surfaces.

What you should Do:

What you should Not Do:

Daily Cleaning Procedures and Recommendations

Countertop Surfaces:

Floor Surfaces:

Bath and Other Wet Areas:

Outdoor Pool and Patio Areas:

Exterior Stone Maintenance:

 General Guidelines for Stain Removal:

1. Remove any loose debris.
2. Wiping the area will spread the spill.
3. Flush the area with plain water and mild soap and rinse several times.
4. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth.
5. Repeat as necessary.
6. If the stain persists or for problems that appear too difficult to treat, call your stone care professional specialist.

 General Steps for any kind of Natural Stone Surface:

  1. Sweep to remove any dirt particles.
  2. Fill a recepient of warm water and use only water, or mix it with a small amount of neutral liquid “All-Purpose-Cleaner”, detergent or cleaning solutions specific for stone. Change the solution when it starts to get dirty.
  3. Dip a microfiber towel, a duster or a mop into the water mixture and start cleaning.
  4. Wash the area by starting at the corner of the room and working methodically towards the room exit.
  5. Allow air circulation in the room for a quick drying.

Solutions to specific problems:

Oil-based stains (grease, cooking oil tar, food stains etc.)

Organic Stains (paper, tea, coffee, fruit, bark and leaf litter etc.)

Biological Stains (algae, moss fungi, mildew)

 

 

Iron Stains Inorganic Metal Stains (iron, rust, copper, bronze)

Ink

Scratches

Paint Stain

To read more about this matter from our font, click here.

How to effectively clean the toilet from limescale and urinary stone

How to quickly and effectively clean the toilet from limescale - this question worries absolutely everyone. A toilet bowl covered with limescale looks very sloppy. In addition, thick limescale reduces the quality of the flush and causes an unpleasant odor from the toilet.

How to prevent limescale

Limescale builds up in the toilet from hard tap water. Urinary stone, food debris, drained into the toilet, also contribute to the formation of hard plaque. nine0003

It is better to prevent limescale in advance, because if it has already appeared, the layer of deposits will quickly increase. And, conversely, on a clean toilet, plaque does not settle for a long time.

To avoid plaque, it is recommended to install water filters, use special tablets for the tank or products that are attached under the rim of the toilet bowl.

Continuous use of tablets and blisters protects the toilet well from limescale. nine0014

How to clean the toilet correctly

If the plaque has already formed, you will have to clean the toilet thoroughly. Not everyone knows that it is better to clean the toilet from limescale and urinary stone in the absence of water.

Correctly clean the toilet from plaque in the following order:

  • turn off the water in the toilet;
  • drain the water from the tank;
  • so that there is no water in the toilet bowl, we push it through with energetic movements of the plunger or scoop it out; nine0026
  • using a brush, apply the cleaning agent to the entire inner surface of the toilet bowl and leave for an hour;
  • wash the softened plaque with a brush.


When cleaning the toilet bowl from plaque and urinary stone, do not pick off the plaque with metal objects, so as not to scratch the toilet bowl.

How to clean the toilet from plaque

What to choose for cleaning the toilet? It can be both ready-made gels and powders, as well as homemade natural remedies:

  • vinegar;
  • soda;
  • citric acid.

Toilet home remedies

How to clean plaque with soda

Make a paste out of soda with a little water and clean the toilet bowl, freed from water.

How to clean a toilet with vinegar

Two glasses of vinegar heated to 50 degrees are poured into a toilet bowl without water. Leave for 10 hours. Then the limescale is brushed off and washed off. nine0003

If you do not want to empty the toilet from the water, you can pour vinegar or a little vinegar essence into the toilet with water. Also leave for 10-12 hours, wash with a brush.

Citric acid helps clean the toilet

We use citric acid without draining the water. Pour two sachets of citric acid into the toilet, one into the tank. In three to four hours, a significant part of the limescale will soften, and it will remain to intensively clean the toilet with a brush. nine0003

Household chemicals for cleaning the toilet from lime

A lot of effective products are sold in stores.

The following grades have proven themselves:

  • "Domestos";
  • "Pemolux";
  • Sanoks;
  • "White".

These products are effective when used regularly. They clean the toilet bowl from limescale, urinary stone and rust, and also disinfect the visible and hidden areas of the toilet bowl. Chlorine-based products reliably destroy the fungus under the rim of the toilet bowl. nine0014

Apply aggressive household chemicals to clean toilet bowls from limescale and urinary stone should be exactly according to the instructions.

How to clean the toilet from urinary stone

Causes of urinary stone

Before washing the urinary stone in the toilet, you need to determine the cause of its occurrence. This will facilitate further maintenance of plumbing and help prevent the recurrence of situations leading to contamination. The main reasons include:

  1. Old engineering communications - both in the house and in the village;

  2. Accumulation of lime scale on enamels and inside pipes;

  3. Poor water quality;

  4. Poor quality plumbing;

  5. Sloppy attitude to plumbing. Often plaque can occur in an apartment with a small child who does not fully press the drain button or does not know how to do it at all.

You can easily identify a urinary stone by its specific yellow-brown color. As a rule, it is found under the rim of the toilet bowl or in the drain pipe. Unlike limescale, it is accompanied by an unpleasant smell in the toilet. In addition, it is a breeding ground for bacteria and germs.

Roughness of the surface of the toilet can accelerate the formation of deposits. Smooth enamel attracts dirt much less.

Only sufficiently fresh deposits can be cleaned without a trace. It is almost impossible to get rid of old plaque without rough mechanical cleaning. The latter violates the integrity of the enamel, although this will not be visible to the naked eye at first. It is in these places that brown spots will form again. Therefore, in a very severe case of an old urinary stone in the toilet, it is rational to replace the failed plumbing. nine0003

How to clean the toilet from urinary stone

If the stains have an unsaturated color, then they formed not so long ago. You can start with the most gentle cleaning options:

Mini-survey

Has the process of cleaning the house changed during the self-isolation regime?

No, cleaned as before

0%

Yes, cleaned more often

0%

Yes, used disinfectants more often

0%

Yes, I have started cleaning with a vacuum cleaner, special cloths, sponges, etc. more often.

0%

0 Votes

  • Table vinegar. Apply undiluted vinegar to stains and leave for several hours. Then rub the surface with a brush or brush. As a rule, this will be enough to destroy the deposits.

  • A mixture of vinegar, soda and iodine. To prepare it, a glass of vinegar is heated to 40 ° C. Add 1 tbsp to a warm liquid. soda and a few drops of iodine. The solution must be stirred until smooth. Pour it into the toilet at night, and in the morning just flush. If you are not satisfied with the result, repeat. nine0003

  • Citric acid. Dilute 1 packet of acid with water to form a creamy paste. Apply it to the stone for several hours. Then scrub with a brush and rinse with water.

  • Domestos Anti-plaque Anti-rust. The active substance is hydrochloric acid, known for its ability to effectively remove rust and plaque. Apply the product to the surface of the toilet for 30 minutes, and then clean with a brush and rinse with water.

Sometimes a urinary calculus traps the walls of the drain pipe. This zone is inaccessible to our eyes, so the problem remains hidden for a long time. In this case, blockages can often occur. In this case, use a special tool - Domestos gel to eliminate blockages in pipes. It will not only remove stagnation, but also dissolve the stone that has become the cause.

Never use acidic cleaners (such as Domestos Anti-Stain Anti-rust) and chlorine-based cleaners (such as Domestos anti-clog gel and Domestos Universal Gel) to prevent harmful gases that may be released during a chemical reaction from entering the mucous membranes and respiratory organs. nine0003

Prevention of formation

To keep your toilet bowl perfectly clean, it is better to prevent the appearance of plaque and deposits quickly. Moreover, prevention is quite simple and does not require much time and effort from you:

  • Use Domestos cleaning cubes for the tank. They make the water softer, keeping the entire toilet bowl hygienic. In addition, they give the water a beautiful color and a pleasant unobtrusive aroma;

  • As an alternative to the cube, install the Domestos Power 5 toilet block. Just attach it to the rim so that every rinse is accompanied by surface disinfection, preventing plaque and maintaining shine and cleanliness; nine0003

  • Keep plumbing fixtures in good condition. Constant leakage of water from the tank inevitably leads to the appearance of rust;

  • Install a water filter where pipes enter the house. Hard water inevitably leads to the formation of limescale and rust;

  • Thoroughly clean regularly with Domestos toilet gels;

  • Remind your family to regularly press the drain button.

Never use powders or gels with abrasive particles to clean the toilet. They leave microscopic scratches on the enamel, which will be clogged with dirt.

You can often come across the opinion that the shine of plumbing is the face of the mistress of the house.

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