How to Restore a Limestone Countertop With Oxygen Bleach
A limestone countertop has a smooth, attractive appearance that can become hindered after years of exposure to various types of dirt, stains and deposits. Since limestone is porous and has the potential to trap moisture, it can even become subject to mildew growth. Acids and harsh chemical compounds like chlorine bleach can damage limestone, but oxygen bleach can restore limestone both safely and effectively. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Choose an oxygen bleach cleaner. Oxygen bleaches come in two varieties: liquid and powder. You can spray liquid cleaners directly onto your countertop, but you will need to mix powder cleaners with water. Whether you choose powder or liquid, home improvement expert Tim Carter recommends that you look for two particular characteristics. To ensure that the oxygen bleach is of the highest quality, look for the ingredient "soda ash" and ensure that the product is made in the USA.
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Prepare your oxygen bleach product. If using a liquid oxygen bleach, you can get right to work. If using a powder bleach, mix the solution with warm water for activation. Read the label to determine how much to water to apply, because different oxygen bleach powders offer different dilution recommendations based on the concentration of the ingredients. Mix your oxygen bleach with water inside a clean spray bottle.
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Spray your entire limestone countertop. Unlike other bleaching solutions, oxygen bleach is completely naturally and non-corrosive, so you can apply it liberally to the entire limestone surface. Leave the oxygen bleach solution on the limestone for up to an hour, because it is an oxidizing agent that releases oxygen ions slowly. As a result, it will need some time to properly break down dirt, minerals and impurities.
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Scrub your limestone counter surface with a soft cloth or sponge. Never scrub limestone with a scouring pad or any type of abrasive, because natural stone scratches very easily.
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Scrub your limestone counter surface with a water-dampened cloth to remove the bleaching agent. Buff dry with a towel to prevent your stone counter from developing mineral deposits. If any dirt or impurities are left behind, apply a second treatment of oxygen bleach to remove the remains and restore the shine to your countertop.
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