BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Clean Sandstone Countertops

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Sandstone countertops are beautiful, but in time they can loose their beauty and luster if not taken care of, or cleaned properly. Sandstone is porous and therefore liquids and chemicals from cleaning products can soak into the sandstone and cause stains, which become part of the stone. To clean your sandstone without damaging the finish and look, follow these steps.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

ph-balanced cleaners or detergents
ph cleaner with scouring beads
Soft bristle toothbrush

Step1

Wipe up any spill on your sandstone immediately.

Step2

Clean your marble countertop with ph-balanced cleaners when doing basic everyday cleaning. Use detergents, such as dishwashing detergents, that are mild and have no color or scent.

Step3

Use a ph cleaner that has scouring beads to remove stubborn stains or heavy duty cleaners if the scouring cleaners do not work. You can also use a soft bristle toothbrush on your stain.

Step4

Rinse the detergent or cleanser completely when you are done cleaning to prevent residue.

Step5

Wipe the counter until it is completely dry. It is not good for moisture to sit on sandstone countertops, as this can leave water stains.

Tips & Warnings

Use a sealer on your sandstone countertops immediately after they are installed to protect them from stains to give them luster.
Avoid using any cleaner that is acidic or has citrus in it to clean your marble countertops. The acid in the cleanser will remove the polish or sealant on the marble and can etch the surface, leaving it dull and unprotected.
Always check the label and use the cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first to make sure that the cleanser will not affect the sandstone. Some damage caused by some cleansers can be permanent.
Do not scrub on stains when cleaning your marble countertop. This can leave scratches. Instead, clean a stubborn stain several times to remove it.

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Comments

tjinc said

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on 7/24/2008 An exception to this rule is Loveless Stone sandstone countertops. They are installed with the surface sealed, waxed, honed, and burnished. This process is repeated about 5 times. All the maintenance it needs is a damp cloth. To maintain, just wipe the most heavily used areas with paste wax about once a year, or if water stops beading on the area.