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NATURAL STONE CARE GUIDE

Hand delivered by nature, premium surfaces such as marble, travertine and alabaster are honed by skilled artisans into luxury pieces that add unmistakable beauty and sophistication to interiors.  

Offering classic good looks and timeless style, the inherent beauty of natural stone infuses interiors with a sense of warmth and texture. We celebrate the unique characteristics offered up by our earth and embrace the allure of living with pieces that are as individual as we are in their organic variations of veining, tone and texture. 

Although most natural stones are extremely durable, there are some distinctive factors to consider when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. It’s important to know about the surfaces you’re dealing with. Cleaning is easy once you learn about the individual characteristics of each natural stone and apply the simple ‘how to’ care suggestions listed below to avoid damage and keep your natural stone surface looking fabulous for decades. 

 

To maintain your beautiful CAFE LIGHTING & LIVING natural stone piece,  
we ask you to follow these simple product care steps specific to each stone type:

 

marble 

As marble is a naturally porous surface it can be damaged by liquids and heat. While the process of polishing does provide some protection, the polished surface is still susceptible to damage from exposure to heat, moisture or spills … treat marble as you would a fine wood finish.

 

reconstituted stone

Although reconstituted stone generally has a higher tolerance than that of marble, it is still important to care for stone surfaces as you would marble and treat spills or marks immediately. 

 

care & maintenance

  • Wipe marble stone surface with a clean, soft dry cloth after use.

  • Wipe with a clean, slightly damp, soft cloth weekly to remove surface dirt and dust. Follow with a soft dry cloth to avoid streaks or spotting. Microfibre cloths are good for this purpose.

  • Always protect marble stone from wet surfaces (like glasses) or stains with a quality cork backed coaster or placemat. Placing anything wet or moist directly on your marble stone surface may cause staining or etching. 

  • Ensure a suitable surface, like a chopping board, is used for any food or drink preparation. Do not allow acidic liquids like citrus juices, tomato based sauces, alcohol, soft drinks, milk, oils and vinegar products to come into contact with marble stone as they will damage the surface.

  • Use specialised spot cleaners formulated for natural stone to treat stains. Do not use general household cleaning products, vinegar, bleach, scouring powders and abrasives as these can burn the surface and damage the stone.

  • Wipe up spills immediately with a soft, damp cloth, particularly liquids likely to stain or etch into the surface. Do this using a blotting motion (do not rub) so as not to spread the stain.

  • Always protect marble stone from hot surfaces and candles with a coaster, trivet or placemat to avoid marking the surface.

  • Always protect marble stone from damage by ensuring items placed on top (like lamps and ornaments) have a felt backing. Never slide objects across your marble stone tabletop as this may scratch the surface.

  • Our marble stone has been polished and treated with a light sealant. To further protect your marble from stains and spills in high use situations, we would recommend treating the surface with an appropriate sealer developed specifically for stone or marble and reapplying annually or as required.
    TIP: Sealing repels staining agents but doesn't make marble stone stainproof. When water no longer beads, it's time to reseal. 

  • Marble stone is especially brittle, so if an item is dropped on top of it, the surface may chip.

  • No marble or stone item is suitable for outdoor use unless stated.

 

travertine

Organic variations of tone, texture and veining found in natural travertine pieces are expected and form part of their unique charm. Honed to a natural finish, visible pitting reveals the beauty and character of each piece. Larger pits are filled, and smaller holes are left in their natural state. As a natural and porous material, travertine can be scratched, nicked or stained. Travertine needs a consistent care routine. The following tips are easy and very effective at keeping travertine in top condition: 

 

care & maintenance

  • Travertine has natural pitting that can collect debris; dust surface regularly with a clean, soft macrofibre cloth.

  • Wipe periodically with a clean, damp cloth or soft-bristled brush with water and, if necessary, a small amount of mild dishwashing liquid. Follow with a soft dry micorfibre cloth.

  • If spills or stains occur, be careful to treat immediately with a cleaning product labelled as safe for use on natural stone. Do not use general household cleaning products that contain acidic substances, which can etch and damage the stone.

  • Always protect travertine from hot surfaces including candles.

  • As a natural and porous material, travertine can be nicked, stained or scratched; avoid placing sharp objects near its surface.

  • No travertine item is suitable for outdoor use unless stated.

 

alabaster

This translucent stone is rich with dappled vein patterning variations offering individual character to each piece. Although alabaster resembles marble in many ways, it is actually much more fragile. This metamorphic rock is relatively soft – its softness, along with its appealing aesthetic properties, have made it attractive to stone carvers for centuries, however also makes it vulnerable to scratching. The most important vulnerability to be aware of is that alabaster is water-soluble so avoid water or water-based solutions which can lead to staining and cause permanent damage to the alabaster surface. To maintain your beautiful alabaster piece, we ask you to follow these simple product care steps:

 

care & maintenance

  • Dusting alabaster regularly is essential to prevent dirt becoming engrained. Dusting should be carried out using a clean, soft brush. Brushes that are soft to touch, such as makeup or artists’ paint brushes are great for gently dusting your alabaster.

  • Alabaster stone is water-soluble so DO NOT clean with water or water-based solutions which can lead to staining and cause permanent damage to the alabaster surface.

  • White spirit, or mineral spirit, is a petroleum-based solvent most often used in the care of alabaster. White and mineral spirits clean the stone and preserve its natural colour and luster without causing damage to the surface.

  • Dab a cotton swab into the white spirit to spot clean smaller areas. Pat gently on the surface of the alabaster, especially where dirt or grime appears to have built up. Do not rub the stain as this may push the dirt further into the surface and make the stain more difficult to remove. Allow the alabaster surface to completely dry before deciding to apply more.

  • It is best to wear latex gloves when handling alabaster to prevent any moisture or oils from your hands transferring to the stone, which could result in possible staining.

  • Alabaster is also a soft stone, which makes it vulnerable to scratching so avoid abrasive products or materials which will damage the finish.

  • No alabaster item is suitable for outdoor use.

 


Download your marble and stone product care guide here

 

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