Caring for granite

Prevention – the cure to granite damage

Taking just a few precautions with your granite will mitigate, and often eliminate any problems whatsoever.

Use clean mops and brooms. Old vacuum cleaners can scratch your granite – avoid using them. Change mopping water frequently during cleaning. Use mats or trivets to place hot items on granite and especially on marble. Inspect interior and exterior tiles regularly and correct flaws straightaway.

Follow a daily and periodic cleaning routine. Avoid using polished granite in high traffic areas. Placing non-slip mats or rugs at the entrance minimizes soiling from dirt on shoes. Use abrasives (nutshells, feldspar or silica, quartz etc) on honed granite only, and never on polished surfaces. Abrasives can cause scratches. Try not to use wax on granite, as it makes it slippery. Wipe anything that spills on granite immediately. Use coasters under glasses or bottles.

Always rinse using clean, warm water. Allow floors to dry before use. Always follow the directions on your cleaner and avoid mixing chemicals unless specified. Never use a mixture of ammonia and bleach for removing stains. The resulting gas is toxic and lethal. Use honed granite on the floor – it is more resistant to scratches. Avoid using chemical cleaners, acids like vinegar and lime juice, grout cleaners, tub or tile cleaners on stone. They can etch or dull the stone. Do not use hot water to clean spilled milk or blood, as doing so makes the stain worse.