Natural stone slabs provide unparalleled beauty and elegance to any space. They are a popular and durable Australian house material. However, the charm and longevity are only assured if you care properly for these stones.
Let’s consider some essential tips to help you extend the life of your natural stone slabs.
Understand Your Stone Type
First and foremost, determine what kind of natural stone you have. Each stone has unique qualities and needs careful care. Marble is stainable since it’s softer and more porous than granite. The features of your stone might assist you in choosing a maintenance method.
Regular Cleaning Practices
The habit of regular cleaning is important and should be taught from early on. It’s always best to use soft, lint-free, moderately dampened cloths with pH-neutral cleaners mainly produced for stone. Avoid using acidic and abrasive cleaners, as they may etch stone surfaces in the long run. More often, we should dust and wipe our stone slabs so that unwanted dirt and grime do not pile up and produce ugly scratches on surfaces.
Seal Your Stone
Natural stone slabs need sealing to look good and last. Water and stains are blocked by most sealers. Depending on the stone and installation, interior applications may need resealing every 6–12 months. A few water droplets on the stone’s surface might indicate resealing is needed. Resealing may be needed if absorption is fast.
Protect Against Physical Damage
Protect your stone slabs from physical damage as much as possible. Coasters protect the top from hot pans, heavy pots, and sharp objects. Consider mats or rugs to prevent wear and tear in high-use areas. Do not drag heavy furniture over the stone to prevent scratching.
Address Stains Promptly
Even careful individuals face accidents. Wiping up spills immediately helps avoid discoloration. To cure organic stains like coffee or wine, cover a stone poultice paste with plastic wrap and let it sit overnight. This draws out the stain without destroying the stone.
Monitor Environmental Factors
Environmental factors really matter in affecting the condition of your natural stone slabs. The extremely hot sun in Australia will potentially cause fading over time. Use curtains or blinds to keep direct sun off your stone surface. Ensure that drainage is set if used outside to avoid stagnation, which can lead to breakage.
Routine Professional Maintenance
Professional maintenance comes in handy alongside periodical generic slab cleaning and care to keep your stone in good shape. You could also opt to engage a stone care specialist at least once a year to do a complete deep cleaning, enhanced resealing, and polish. Experts are capable of dealing with any problems below the surface and can successfully restore stones’ natural beauty.
Educate Household Members
Lastly, make sure everyone in your household is educated regarding the proper care of natural stone slabs. This will not only help protect the condition of your stone but also prevent damage.
Natural stone maintains its beauty and hardness for a lifetime through simple regular cleaning and protection from physical damage. The provision of the option of professional maintenance enables you to continue enjoying the timeless beauty of natural stone in Australian homes since you care with proper, proactive action.
