Stone maintenance consists of scheduled procedures performed regularly to keep natural stone in its proper condition. Some maintenance routines feature daily procedures, others weekly or monthly tasks. These programs include cleaning, treating and inspecting the stone for improper condition or other undesirable affects.

A poultice is a paste consisting of a chemical or cleaner and an absorbent material. The paste is then used to remove stains from natural stone.

As a general rule in the stone industry, restoration means: Large-scale remedial actions taken to restore a structure or area to its original or acceptable "near original" condition and the term generally applies to historic structures.

At times, this site may use the term restoration to convey that general definition. However, some of our stone care kits include this term to convey that idea or concept without the "large-scale" actions that are often required for historic structures.

In most cases, when we speak of or write about "restoration" we simply mean that the process we are talking about will return stone to its previous condition or as close to its previous condition as possible using the process being discussed.

Stone that is composed of quartz-like or silica particles. These types of stone tend to be durable and relatively easy to clean with the proper cleaning products. Siliceous stones include:

• Granite
• Quartzite
• Bluestone
• Sandstone
• Slate
• Brownstone

Stone that is composed of calcim carbonate. Calcareous stones tend to be softer and require additional considerations when choosing cleaning products. Because these kinds of stone are sensitive to acidic substances, they require additional or special treatment. Calcareous stones include:

• Marble
• Limestone
• Travertine
• Onyx

It is advisable to consult your purchase or installation records to be sure of your stone's type. Additionally, you can consult with a professional installer, supplier or restoration professional.

Granite stones are identified by their distinct crystal patterns that lool like small "flecks" in the stone. Also, granite has very little veining.

It is advisable to consult your purchase or installation records to be sure of your stone's type. Additionally, you can consult with a professional installer, supplier or restoration professional.

Slate comes in a variety of colors including:

• Dark Green
• Dark Red
• Gray
• Black
• Multiple Colors

Slate's appearance is distinguished by its cleft texture and is often used as flooring material or roofing tiles.

It is advisable to consult your purchase or installation records to be sure of your stone's type. Additionally, you can consult with a professional installer, supplier or restoration professional.

Since limestone is widely used as a building material, it is possible that you have this type of stone. These stones are usually gray or tan in color and there is a distinct presence of characteristics resembling shell impressions, fossil impressions or both. For example, travertine is limestone that is formed in a particular manner and location.

It is advisable to consult your purchase or installation records to be sure of your stone's type. Additionally, you can consult with a professional installer, supplier or restoration professional.

Sandstone can be more difficult to identify based only on its appearance. It varies widely in color, clay and minerals that make it up. It is usually light gray to yellow or red.

It is advisable to consult your purchase or installation records to be sure of your stone's type. Additionally, you can consult with a professional installer, supplier or restoration professional.

Marble comes in a virtually endless number of colors and therefore cannot be distinguished by color alone. It's prominent visual traits are its fine texture and usually outstanding, very noticable veining.

It is advisable to consult your purchase or installation records to be sure of your stone's type. Additionally, you can consult with a professional installer, supplier or restoration professional.

You can conduct a simple stone test in order to determine which of these two stone types you have. While the test is simple, some precautions are necessary. This test will etch the stone in cases where the stone is calcareous (this etching can be permanent), so be sure to use and inconspicuous area (or a piece of scrap material) to do your test. Also, be sure that the area you are testing is several inches away from any mortar joint.