How Do You Maintain Countertops Made of Limestone?

The Empire State Building, the Lincoln Memorial, and the reconstructed portion of the Pentagon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks are just some of the landmark structures built with limestone, the sedimentary rock that eventually transforms into marble given the right geologic processes. Limestone is widely used as construction material, and it can look great when installed as kitchen or bathroom countertops. Lighter-colored limestone slabs are perfect for a polished finish since they look very similar to marble, but keeping this look over the years will require careful maintenance. Never Use Common Household Cleaners Beautiful things created by Mother Nature tend to be fragile when taken out of their original environment. In the case of limestone, its beauty can be preserved by means of finishing and sealing, but it can also be taken away by acidic and alkaline substances. Cleaning powders, vinegar, citric juices, and nearly all the household cleaners you can find on supermarket store shelves should never be used on limestone because they will weaken the seal, seep through the pores, and cause unpredictable chemical reactions. Use a Stone-Safe Cleaner A specially formulated limestone and granite cleaner, such as Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®, is the only substance you should use on your limestone counters. A paper towel or a lint-free cloth is the only tool you’ll need along with the natural-stone cleaner. The formulation of Granite Gold Daily Cleaner® makes it a pH-balanced substance that’s perfect for limestone. You can use it as a daily cleaner that’s always handy to help you with spills. Never let any substance, including water, sit on limestone counters for too long. The idea is to prevent staining. Keep Your Counters Dry The formula of Granite Gold Daily Cleaner® prevents streaking, provided you always wipe limestone surfaces until they’re dry. Keep in mind limestone is very porous. For this reason, you don’t want to run the risk of liquid drops finding their way past weak areas in the seal and into the stone. Make Sealing a Routine The best way to determine when you should apply a limestone and granite sealer is with the water test, which is as easy as making a small water puddle—about three inches in diameter—on various spots around the counter surface. Set a timer and keep a close eye on the spots near the sink. If you see dark rings forming before 30 minutes, this is a sign your countertop needs to be sealed. If you have limestone flooring in your home, you can keep it clean with a specially formulated limestone and granite stone and tile floor cleaner. At Granite Gold®, all of the products we offer are safe to use on limestone, granite, marble, and all other types of natural stone. If you have any questions for the Stone Care Experts, please give us a call today at 1-800-475-STONE (7866). If you haven’t already signed up for our newsletter, make sure to do so today so you can receive tips each month on caring for natural stone and quartz.