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Q. We have a polished travertine table where someone spilled salsa. We wiped it off right away but the finish has been dulled. What can we do to repair it? A. What you are describing are not stains, they are acid etches. The stone has been... Read More

Q. I have a travertine dining room table. What should I do to seal it and how should I clean it? A. Regarding sealing travertine, check first to see if sealing is required. Begin by spilling some clean fresh water on it and leave it for 30 minutes.... Read More

Q. How should I perform routine maintenance for my granite countertops? A. Granite countertops will give you a lifetime of easy to maintain elegance if you use the right products. Don't use the wrong products. Be sure that you follow some simple... Read More

Q. How do I apply a poultice to remove a stain?A. How to Make and Apply a Poultice: Before you attempt to remove a stain, it is extremely important to know what has caused it. For reference see our Stone and Tile Care Guide. If you have questions,... Read More

Q. I have tried to remove a stain but it still shows up. What should I do next? A. If a stain is still present, a chemical poultice may have to be applied. Avoid using chemicals of any kind until you know which chemical cleaner to use. Certain... Read More

Q. How can I find out if I need to seal my stone? A. To find out if your stone should be sealed, spill some water on it and wait for approximately half an hour, then wipe it dry. If the surface of the stone did not darken where the water was, it... Read More

Q. How do I treat an organic or inorganic stain?A. The chemical of choice for both organic and inorganic stains is hydrogen peroxide (30/40 volumes, the clear type – available at your local beauty salon. The one from the drugstore is too weak, at 3... Read More

Q. How do I treat an oily stain on my granite or marble?A. For oily stains our favorite is acetone, which is available at any hardware or paint store. Forget your nail polish remover. Some of them contain other chemicals, and others contain no... Read More

Q. Is granite safe? A. You may have caught wind of a report circulating that granite countertops are unsafe, harbor bacteria, and can produce disease. This is absolutely false. NIOSH and the CDC have no reports of granite or any other stone used as a... Read More

Q. Is granite sensitive to acids? A. Unlike marble, granite is not a calcite based stone and is not generally vulnerable to acids. However, some stones, even though they are marketed as granite, may in fact have calcium in their makeup. Furthermore,... Read More