The Best Way To Clean Limestone Countertops
Make your Limestone Counters Look Like New
Limestone is a beautiful material, but the stone particles are fairly soft. As a result, improper cleaning procedures can easily scratch the surfaces. Strong cleaning products that contain a neutral pH should be avoided because the chemicals can destroy limestone material.
Prepping the Counter
Begin the cleaning process by removing all debris off of the counter with a vacuum. When gliding the nozzle, ensure that the spinning brush is turned off. If your counter has narrow crevices, use a crevice tool to reach any debris in these areas. Do not leave any dirt on the counter because the microscopic particles will scratch the limestone while you scrub the surfaces with a wet cleaning solution.
Apply Soap and Water
Next, clean the counter with mild soap and warm water. To avoid unnecessary wear and tear, select a soap that is specially designed for limestone materials. This step requires a lot of time and patient since the soap needs time to break down the grime.
When rinsing the surfaces, ensure that there is no soap left on the counter because the residue will attract more dirt over time. Also, the soap residue may create a film that will make the counter appear dull.
Eliminate Severe Stains
If the counter has severe stains, you can remove them with hydrogen peroxide and flour mixture, which is called a poultice. To make the solution, combine ¾ cup of flour and hydrogen peroxide. Then, mix both ingredients until they form a paste. Finally, rub the paste on the stain and let it dry. In most cases, the solution will harden within one or two days. After the paste is dry, remove it with a rubber scrapper.
Alternative Options
Besides a poultice, you can also clean limestone by using a specialized cleaning product, such as MB Stone Care. This cleanser is pH balanced, but it can still eliminate dirt and stains from stone surfaces. However, to protect the limestone, test the product on a hidden area before beginning the cleaning process. Because all counters are manufactured differently, the ingredients in the product may modify the limestone in an appealing or less appealing way. Other effective cleaning products are also available, such as:
- Safe n Easy
- Dumond
- Weiman
Apply a Sealer
When limestone is manufactured, a sealer is applied to the material. Over time, this sealant will wear away each time the limestone is cleaned with basic cleaning products. To maintain a beautiful limestone counter, you must reapply the sealant on a regular basis. Local home improvement stores sell limestone sealers at a reasonable price.
Eco-Friendly Considerations for a Clean limestone
Simple Green is a preferred limestone cleaning product because its ingredients brighten stone surfaces without damaging the finish. Every component is the cleaner is biodegradable and non-toxic, so the cleaning solution is completely safe for kitchen countertops.
To improve the air quality in your home, clean your counters with a microfiber cloth instead of a traditional cloth. Microfiber rags attract and hold dust and will not scratch delicate limestone surfaces.
Carmel Stone Imports is a major West Coast Importer and Wholesaler of unique and exotic first-rate quality natural stone. We are located along the Central Coast of California in Sand City next to Monterey, Carmel, and Pebble Beach, and are approximately two hours south of San Francisco, one hour north of San Jose and four hours north of Santa Barbara.
