CARE AND CLEANNING FOR GRANITE SURFACES



Granite is an investment will give its owner many years of beautiful service. Granite is a natural product and simple care and maintenance will keep it looking beautiful. This specification guide by Granit Design will give you recommendations for routine car and cleaning as well as procedures for simple stain removal techniques should that ever be necessary.

CLEANING PROCEDURES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
 
Definitions of terms
1. Maintenance: scheduled cleaning; specific procedures and inspections performed on a daily, weekly or other regular basis to keep the stone in proper condition.
2. Refinishing: repolishing or honing of dull, once-polished marble, limestone or granite floors and walls. Refinishing of traffic patterns, for example.
3. Renovation: cleaning and repolishing of neglected dimensions stone surfaces.

Floor surfaces
Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to granite surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch the granite floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes.

Other Surfaces
Clean granite surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores or from your stone dealer) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for better results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the granite.

Bath and Other Wet Areas
In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about ½ cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull surface of the stone.

Food preparation areas
In food preparation areas, the granite may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer for recommendations. If a sealer is applied, be sure that is non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces. If there is a question, check with the sealer manufacturer.

Table and countertop
Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods, drinks and cosmetics contain acids that will etch or dull the surface of many stones. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under chins, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

CARE AND CLEANNING FOR GRANITE SURFACES

Stone Finishes
A polished finish on the stone has a glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the color and marking of the material. This type of finish is used on floor tiles; walls, as well as furniture tops and other items. A honed finish is a satin smooth surface with relatively little light reflection. Generally a honed finish is preferred for floors, stair treads, threshold and other locations where heavy traffic will wear off the polished finish. A honed finish may also be used on furniture tops and other surfaces. For honed finishes a neutral (pH7) mildly abrasive cleaner may be used. Use only according to manufacturer’s directions. A plasma flame finish is a rough textured surface used frequently on granite floor tiles and wall tiles.

Granite Colors and Appearance
Granites are quarried throughout the world in a variety of colors with varying mineral compositions. In most cases, granites can be identified by visible particles at the surface of the stone. The minerals un granite will be typically appear as small flecks distributed uniformly in the stone. Each type of granite is unique and will vary in color, texture and marking.

SPILLS AND STAINS
Blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don’t wipe the area, it will spread the spill. Flush the area with plain water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary. If the stain remains, refer to the section in this brochure on stain removal.

Stain Removal
Identifying the type of stain on the granite surface is the key to removing it. If you don’t know what caused the stain, play detective. Where is the stain located ? Is it near a plant, a food service area, an area where cosmetics are used ? What color is it ? What is the shape or pattern ? What goes on in the area around the stain ? Surface stains can often be removed by cleaning with an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical. Deep-seated of stubborn stains may require using a poultice. The following sections describe the types of stains that you may have to deal with an appropriate household chemicals to use and how to prepare and apply a poultice to remove the stain.

Types of Stains & First Step Cleaning Actions

Oil-based (grease, tar, cooking oil, milk, cosmetics):
An oil-based stain will darken the granite 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 bleach OR household detergent OR ammonia OR mineral spirits OR acetone.

CARE AND CLEANNING FOR GRANITE SURFACES

Organic (coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, and birds droppings):
May cause a pinkish-brown stain is removed. Outdoors, with the source removed, normal 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. Biological (algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi): Clean with diluted (1/2 in a gallon of water) ammonia OR bleach OR hydrogen peroxide. DO NOT MIX BLEACH AND AMMONIA! THIS COMBINATION CREATES TOXIC AND LETHAL GAS!

Ink (magic marker, pen ink):
Clean with bleach hydrogen peroxide ( light coloured stone only!) or lacquer thinner or acetone (dark stones only!)

Paint:
Small amounts ca be removed with lacquer thinner or scraped off with a razor blade. Heavy paint coverage should be removed with a commercial heavy liquid stripper available from hardware stores or paint centers. Do not use acid or flame tools to strip paint from the granite. Paint strippers can etch the surface of the granite; repolishing may be necessary. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for use of these products, taking care to 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 oil stains. Refer to the section on oil-based stains.

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

Efflorescence
Efflorescence is a white powder that may appear on the surface of the granite. It is caused by water carrying mineral salt from below the surface of the granite rising trough and evaporating. When the water evaporates, it leaves the powdery substance. If the installation us new, dust mop or vacuum the powder. You may have to do this several times as the granite dries out. Do not use water to remove the powder; it will only temporarily disappear.

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

Etch Marks
Caused by acids left on the surface of the stone. Some materials will etch the finish but not leave a stain. Once the stain; others will both etch and stain. Once the stain has been removed, wet the surface with clear water and sprinkle with marble polishing powder. Rub the powder onto the stone with a damp cloth or by using a buffing pad with a low-speed power drill. Continue buffing until the etch mark disappears and the marble surface shines. Honing may be required for deep etching.