Increased traffic in your home — from dinner parties to overnight guests — creates wear and tear on your stone (marble, granite, limestone, slate and travertine) surface investments. This makes protecting your stone countertops, walls, vanities and floors, a must before and after entertaining. Following are tips to help ensure your "stone zones" are clean and protected.

Preparing for Guests

• Test the Sealer — Before Uncle Bob and Aunt Martha arrive, take a few minutes to determine if your stone surface requires resealing. Simply place a drop of water on the surface and let it sit for 15 minutes. If the surface darkens or the water is absorbed into the surface, reseal as soon as possible. If it remains on the surface, clean it up — there is no need to reseal. Continue to maintain the surface with water-based daily stone cleaners.

   

  article continues below ↓

  If the stone does require resealing, select a water-based stone sealer that protects the surface from staining and is safe for kitchen and bathroom use. Protective sealers are often suited to both countertop and stone floor use, and prevent water and food-oil stains.
  

• Prevent Dull Surfaces — Polish your stone countertops and vanities to enhance color, prevent dulling, remove beverage rings and shower wall streaks before the guests arrive. Be sure to use a product that is safe for kitchen and bathroom use.
  
  
• Last Minute Clean Up — If the seal is good and your surfaces are protected, be sure to wash stone surfaces before guests arrive with a water-based stone cleaner.
  

Use products made for stone surfaces that do not require rinsing. Always avoid any acids, harsh chemicals, oils and standing water. Also, when using cleaners on countertops, ensure they are safe for food handling.

When the Party's Over

• Once the guests are gone, check your stone surfaces to identify any stains. To remove stains use a product that contains poultice powder. Poultice powders work by reabsorbing stubborn stains from the natural stone surface.