Restoration and Cleaning Tips For Antique Marble and Granite

Restoration and Cleaning Tips For Antique Marble and Granite

Many homeowners love the look and feel of natural stone, and go to great lengths to include marble and granite within the design of their homes. Whether through flooring, countertops, wall tiles or even fireplace surrounds, marble and granite can greatly enhance the appeal of any home. Another way to bring these natural products into your living space is through the acquisition of antique marble or granite pieces, such as tables or wall hangings. Very often, antique finds have become damaged or worn over the years and require restoration to return them to their original shine. The following tips are offered to assist and inform owners of antique marble or granite pieces.

Basic Cleaning Tips

If your piece is only suffering from years of accumulated dust and wax or has slight staining, there may be a few do-it-yourself tricks that you can use to bring it back to life. With marble, it is absolutely imperative to avoid the use of harsh chemical cleaners, as they can destroy the surface of your piece. Even household products that you regularly use for other jobs can damage marble. The best place to begin is by using warm water to try and remove dirt and grime, rinsing often and drying with a soft cloth. Mild dish detergent can be mixed with the water for additional cleaning power. Granite is much more durable than marble, but repeated use of harsh or acidic cleaning products will etch away at the finish over time. The better approach is to use a commercial cleaning product that is specifically formulated for granite.

With marble, it is absolutely imperative to avoid the use of harsh chemical cleaners, as they can destroy the surface of your piece. Even household products that you regularly use for other jobs can damage marble.

How to Address Stained Marble

The best way to prevent stained marble is to ensure that it is properly sealed. This requires applying a clear penetrating sealer several times a year. Unfortunately, when you come across a flea market find, you have no way to know if it has been properly sealed. You may, however, be able to see stains on the surface of the piece. There are multiple products available that are specifically formulated to treat stained granite, and you can begin by placing a clean cloth saturated with one of these solvents over the stain before rinsing and drying the area. For stains that are the result of an organic material, a combination of peroxide and a small amount of ammonia can be helpful in breaking up and lifting the stain.

Resurfacing Granite is a Job for the Pros

For granite pieces that have lost their shiny finish, no amount of elbow grease is going to restore the piece to its original luster. Specialized tools and abrasives are required, as well as the expertise needed to use those tools with the precise amount of pressure. This is a job for the professionals and trying to tackle the work yourself could result in serious damage to the piece that you are attempting to restore.

At Mees Distributors, Inc., we have the skills and knowledge needed to help you clean, repair and restore any marble or granite pieces that you acquire. Simply bring your item to our showroom, and we will be happy to take a look at it and speak with you about your options.

Want to check out our granite counter top selection? Contact us

Cincinnati Showroom

1541 West Fork Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45223
Phone: 513.541.2311
Fax: 513.541.4831
Email: cin@meesdistributors.com
Hours:
Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm (noon)