Step 1: Wipe down marble surfaces with a damp rag and buff dry with a chamois for routine weekly cleaning.
Step 2: Use a neutral, non abrasive cleaner (such as acetone, hydrogen peroxide or clear ammonia) for tough stains.
Step 3: Apply the cleaner with a cloth and buff dry.
Step 4: After cleaning, polish marble surfaces using a marble polish containing tin oxide.
Step 5: Protect marble floors with a stone sealer, and use standard non abrasive floor cleaners to clean them.
Step 6: Place coasters under glasses and put plastic under cosmetics on marble surfaces. Use rugs to cover marble floors.
Step 7: Refer scratches of any depth to a professional.
Step 1: Blot up spills immediately, before they penetrate the surface.
Step 2: Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available in hardware stores or from a stone dealer), or mild dishwashing liquid and warm water.
Step 3: Use a soft, clean cloth to clean the granite. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.
Step 4: Remove a stain on granite, basing the method on the type of stain. Mix a cup of flour, 1–2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid with water to make a thick paste. Put it on the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight.
Step 5: Scrape away the mixture with a wooden utensil and rinse. If the stain is oil-based (e.g. grease, oil, milk), use hydrogen peroxide in the paste instead of dishwashing liquid–or try ammonia on it.
Step 6: Try a mixture of 12 percent hydrogen peroxide mixed with a couple drops of ammonia for an organic stain (e.g. coffee, tea, fruit).
Step 7: Use a lacquer thinner or acetone to remove ink or marker stains from darker stone. On light-colored granite, use hydrogen peroxide to these stains. This also works for wine stains.
Step 8: Mix molding plaster and pure bleach into a paste and spread over a wine, ink or other non-oil stain. Leave on for 30 minutes, then remove and rinse.
Step 9: Paste a mix of molding plaster and water over an oil-based or fat-based stain. Mold it into a bird's-nest shape and allow to stand for 3 hours. Remove and rinse.
Step 10: Reseal the countertop every year or two years. Check with the installer for recommendations. Use a non-toxic sealer on food preparation areas.
Step 11: Consider using a new disinfectant cleaner made specifically for granite.
Step 12: Call your professional stone supplier, installer, or restoration specialist for problems that appear too difficult to treat.
Step 1: Wipe up any spills as soon as possible. If left unattended, the spills can etch the polish and dull the finish of the stone. Beverages such as coke and orange juice contain acidic materials that when in contact with limestone can deteriorate the stone.
Step 2: Rinse and dry your natural stone surface after washing. This is very effective on dark stones to get rid of streaks.
Step 3: Daily cleanings should be accompanied by periodic deep cleanings. Daily spot cleaning is simply wiping up any accidental spills promptly. If you do get a stain, attend to it as soon as possible with a slightly stronger solution of detergent and then a poultice if the detergent cleaner is unsuccessful.
Powdered cleansers will scratch or damage marble.
Even weak acids–vinegar, wine, orange juice, cola–can damage marble. Mop up spills immediately and rinse with water.
DON'T use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on your stone.
DON'T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners.
DON'T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
DON'T mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
DON'T ever mix chemicals together unless directions specifically instruct you to do so.