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Architectural StoneTechnical Resources

Natural Stone

Quarried stone surfaces, each with their own character, hardness and care requirements.

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Natural Stone Care Instructions

Proper maintenance is essential to keep your prized Natural Stone benchtop looking its best.

Natural Stone is porous so it's very important to look after the layer of sealer applied to the top and edges.

Cleaning: Use warm water mixed with mild PH Neutral detergent for regular cleaning, and / or Lithofin Easy Clean (available from us in a spray bottle) which is easy to use and does an excellent job. Do not use Spray & Wipe, even if it claims to be "stone safe", as it will dissolve the sealer.

Clean up spills and oil residues quickly to stop them penetrating the stone.

Sealer: All natural stone must be sealed. Sealers act as a liquid repellent, giving you more time to clean spills before they penetrate the stone. You can tell when the sealer is wearing out — when wiping down the benchtops, some patches stay wet while stone around them dries. If you notice this it's definitely time to reseal the stone. You can buy the approved Lithofin sealer from us and follow the directions on the can or contact us for a list of professional contractors. Most professionals recommend sealing at least once a year.

Definitely avoid: Spilling or using acids (including lemon juice and red wine), caustic products (Spray & Wipe, bleach, oven cleaner, etc), oils (watch out for greasy takeaways and pizza boxes), petroleum products.

Avoid excessive heat or impact. Don't place hot pots directly on the benchtop. This can cause Thermal Shock which will result in a cracked benchtop. Do not stand or sit on your benchtop.

Special warning for quartzite materials: If your benchtops are manufactured from Quartzite you need to watch out for any area where the sealer may be damaged and moisture starts to penetrate the stone itself (often presents as a line or ring parallel with the edges of benchtops or sinks). This can cause "Moisture Lock" which means the Quartzite soaks up water and won't dry out. This is not always fixable so if you do spot this please contact us urgently.