Cleaning Tips for Sandstone Fireplace

A sandstone fireplace adds beauty and style to any home. Sandstone is one of the most popular choices for indoor natural stone installations. It is lightweight, which contributes towards ease of installation. The neutral look of the fireplace enables it to blend with whatever style of furniture you have. When well cared for, sandstone installations can reflect their natural beauty for several years. Below are cleaning tips for your sandstone fireplace.


One is Day-to-Day Cleaning:
It is a good idea to clean your fireplace daily during your normal household chores. This helps to maintain its attractive appearance. A dry mop can help you clear away the usual dust and dirt. It helps if you brush the sandstone occasionally to freshen its appearance.


Another one is Thorough Cleaning:
Once a week, you may want to undertake a deeper clean. This helps to clear smudges and grime. A clean fireplace also contributes to higher performance and safety. Use a natural cleanser with water to clear dirt and grime from your fireplace. A soft bristled brush can help you clear the dirt effectively. Rinse carefully so that no traces of soap remain behind.


Soap residues give sandstone a dull appearance. Avoid acidic, alkaline or ammonia-based cleansers as these are likely to compromise the integrity of your sandstone. It isn’t a good idea to use ordinary household detergents on your sandstone. It leaves a residue which dulls the fireplace and encourages mildew to develop.

How to clean Tumbled Travertine Tile

Tumbled travertine tile is a hard, but is subject to scratching and staining just like limestone, slate or no tumbleds. It isn't as hard as granite , but is more cost effective to install. Cleaning it is not difficult, if you take a few precautions.

 

Before Cleaning the Tile

Be sure you have brushed away all crumbs if it's a countertop or swept a tumbled travertine floor with a soft broom. It is not recommended to use a vacuum cleaner on tumbled travertine as it can scratch and damage the tile.

 

Using Commercial Cleaners

Dealers that sell tumbled travertine tile usually also sell tile cleaners that are totally safe for repeated usage. Check with your local dealer for this product . Follow the manufacturers instructions.

Simple Cleaning Process

Wet a sponge with warm water and put a drop of detergent on it to create a foam. Wash the entire counter thoroughly then rinse well with clean water. You can allow it to air dry or dry with a soft cloth or towel.

 

Cautions about Cleaning Tile

Never use any that contains an acid such as vinegar or lemon juice. This will pit the tile and dull the surface. Never use steel wool or scouring cleansers. Mop up all spills immediately, especially coffee, juice or wine. Use coasters to prevent rings.

Steps to Clean Onyx Countertops

When they asked why choose Onyxs, most people would mention their beauty with various warm color hues running through them. Yeah, it is perfect as ornament especially when there is a suitable lighting to highlight it. While since it is made of calcite, it is prone to etching by various acids that are commonly encountered ins such as those from strong cleaners and tomatoes. You would therefore need to clean it more than harder materials, more cleaning steps, just take the following into account.


Step 1 – Preventing Acid Etching

To prevent various acids from etching your onyx countertop, seal it with a sealant that is food safe. Apply it according to what is specified on the package and do another application when water does not form beads on the surface anymore.


Step 2 – Cleaning the Countertop

Use a mild cleanser and soft cloth when cleaning your onyx countertop . Find something that has “green” printed on the label since suchs are generally safer for onyx. Check to see if it is stone safe as well since many cleansers have too much acid for onyx.


Step 3 – Blotting Spills

For spills that happen on the onyx countertop , blot them off immediately. Never wipe them since the potential damage of the spill can widen. Leaving a spill for longer periods will likewise cause damage to onyx especially if it is acidic.

Best Method to Clean the Surface of Stone Tile

What’s your first impression of dingy grout or tile ? Yeah, it will detract from the overall look of an otherwise great space. Keeping clean and grout can make the difference between freshening up a space and having to endure a complete renovation. The best way to clean tile surfaces is to use a soft cloth and warm water when dealing with mild soil. While more stringent stone cleaners or scrubbing implements may sometimes be necessary to clean tile, it is best to start out using the mildest options possible to protect the glaze.
   

If your surface isn’t glazed, consider applying a sealant to protect it and to make it easier to clean tile. If you did not install the tile or have it installed yourself, you may be unsure about whether it is glazed. Apply some water to test it. If the color changes to a much darker tone, that means it is a porous surface that will absorb water, and it requires a sealant.


Some people suggest vinegar to clean tile on a regular basis. While it may remove some residue and appears to be a good choice, vinegar may damage tile surfaces and may also change the color of grout. Other mild household solvents and cleanings can be used to clean stone tile, but it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Only uses clearly labeled as safe for tile surfaces.


If scouring is required to clean tile efficiently, look for a non-abrasive cleanser and use a nylon scrubber rather than steel wool or other coarse scrubbers. For grout, try a brush that has soft bristles, such as a soft child’s toothbrush. In addition, whenever you clean tile, it is very important to rinse away all cleaning products and residue thoroughly. Dry the area and then polish the surface. You can use a buffer if desired.

Tips for Marble Polishing

Before the beautiful marble product , it needs a series process, and marble polishing is part of the process of cleaning and caring for. Whether it’s your kitchen counter or your living room floor, marble can be used in any places in a household. In hotels, restaurants and offices, marble floors are also polished until they gleam.


Marble polishing is needed to maintain this costly material. Despite the popular misconception, marble is not a hard substance. You should be careful in handling it so that you can preserve its quality.



A damp rag will help in cleaning marble on a regular basis. After that, you can buff the marble dry. Sometimes, stains will develop on marble but you need to choose the right cleaner for getting these out.


There are a number of solutions available on the market for marble polishing so choose carefully. You can also get marble polishing pads to complement the solutions that you purchase. You want to steer away from powder based cleansers because some of these may cause more damage and harm to the marble than you think.


A stone sealer can also be used on marble for added protection. Aside from this, if you are placing furniture on marble, it is advisable to place a rug or carpet underneath. Other than protecting the marble from scratches that furniture could cause, carpets could also absorb any spills from falling directly on the marble.


If you notice deeper scratches and indentations in the marble, it is better to consult with a professional on trying to get these out. In this way, you can remedy the situation before things get worse.


Remember that all marble has a natural polish. Every time you clean marble, your intention is to restore this natural shine, not go against it. You want to be gentle when cleaning marble. Do not use any abrasive cleaning materials or solutions.