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How to Take Care of Stone Furniture
By Kirkdale Studios
Caring for Contract Stone Furniture
Stone furniture brings a sense of permanence, sophistication and raw natural beauty to contract interiors, making it a standout choice for luxury hospitality and high-end corporate environments.
At Kirkdale Studios, we supply a curated collection of contract stone furniture, with each piece showcasing unique geological veining, varied textures and an enduring aesthetic appeal.
Our team of experts created this guide to show you how to care and maintain your contract stone furniture, prevent damage and improve the lifespan of your piece.
How to take care of stone furniture
This guide is designed to help you maintain the integrity and luster of your contract stone furniture. It covers essential daily care, preventative measures to protect against porosity and etching, and specialized cleaning methods to ensure these natural materials withstand the rigors of high-traffic environments.
Most stones are prone to staining, if you are looking for more stain-resistant materials, please consider these alternatives.
The below key graphically demonstrates the advised cleaning methods, along with the diverse varieties of natural stones used across our hospitality and commercial ranges.
Soft Cloth
Soapy Water
Brush
Caring For Marble
What is Marble?
Marble is a naturally occurring stone, available in a variety of colours, veins and unique patterns.
Its strength and durability make marble an excellent option for table or counter tops.
However, due to its porosity, it is prone to staining and etching.
Sealing marble will help reduce stains from developing but regular maintenance and cleaning is required to keep it looking the best. Choosing a darker marble will offset the appearance of stains and choosing a lighter marble will offset the appearance of acid etching.
How to Take Care of Marble Furniture:
Always use a soft cloth to wipe down surfaces.
Use warm water with a gentle soap.
Do not use any acidic or alkaline products which will damage the marble.
Do not put hot dishes, pans or hot beverage cups directly onto the surface.
Are you sourcing marble furniture for your hospitality space? Explore our full selection.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Applying a stone sealant will help protect your marble from stains.
Caring for Terrazzo Furniture
What is Terrazzo?
Terrazzo is a composite material of marble chips set into cement.
The properties of the concrete mean that terrazzo is tough and long lasting making it a great option for tiles, table tops and counters. However, it can be stained or etched into easily due to its porousity.
Regular maintenance and cleaning is required to keep the Terrazzo looking its best.
Choosing a darker colour will offset the appearance of staining and etching.
How to Take Care of Terrazzo Furniture:
Always use a soft cloth or soft brush to clean down surfaces.
Use warm water with a gentle soap.
Do not use any acidic or alkaline products which will damage the terrazzo.
Re-seal the terrazzo regularly to protect your furniture.
Avoid putting hot dishes, pans or beverages directly onto the surface.
Any spills need to be cleaned up quickly, otherwise stains and etching will be permanent.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Using a de-scaler can help to remove stubborn stains.
Caring For Granite Furniture
What is Granite?
Granite is a hard, igneous rock, it’s formed by the crystallisation of magma beneath the Earth’s surface.
Each granite slab is unique, as it presents natural patterns and colour variations.
It’s hard, durable and has an outstanding heat and scratch resistance.
How to Take Care of Granite Furniture:
Use warm water and a gentle soap with a soft cloth to wipe any spills.
Avoid using harsh chemicals and any acidic cleaners, as they can etch the granite’s surface.
To prevent thermal shock, avoid placing hot pans directly onto the stone surface.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Professionally sealed granite is highly stain-resistant but we recommend addressing spills immediately to maintain the stone’s integrity. Always blot the liquid with a clean cloth; avoid wiping, as this can spread the liquid across the surface.
Caring For Quartz Furniture
What is Quartz?
Quartz is not a natural stone and it is made out of quartz granules mixed with polymers, resins and pigments.
This material is very durable and doesn’t need to be sealed as it’s non-porous.
Its non-penetrable surface makes it very easy to clean and maintain.
How to Take Care of Quartz Furniture:
Use warm water and a gentle detergent with a soft cloth to wipe any spills.
Avoid using bleach or other harsh chemical detergents or abrasive cleaning cloths.
Since it’s non-porous, Quartz can be cleaned with a solution of vinegar and water too.
You can remove certain substances, like food with natural dyes or grease, once they are dry by gently scraping with a blunt scraper made of plastic.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
While quartz is non-porous and less prone to staining, it’s not 100% stain-proof. Pay particular attention to drinks and foods like wine, coffee, turmeric and pomegranates.
Caring For Quartzite Furniture
What is Quartzite?
Unlike Quartz, Quartzite is a natural stone.
It’s a metamorphic rock made mostly of silica, it’s incredibly durable and resistant to scratches and heat.
Like most natural stones, quartzite requires sealing, as its porosity makes it vulnerable to moisture and staining.
When used for hospitality, quartzite may need to be re-sealed twice a year.
How to Take Care of Quartzite Furniture:
For daily cleaning, you can use warm water and a soft cloth.
Any spill and moisture should be wiped away as soon as possible.
Oil-based stains can be removed with a paste made with water and baking soda.
Use ph-neutral detergents and avoid harsh chemicals, acidic or alkaline cleaners, as they can damage the surface.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Quartzite is very heat resistant, but we don’t recommend putting a hot pan directly on the surface, as it may leave a mark.
Caring For Travertine Furniture
What is Travertine?
Travertine is a natural stone composed of calcium carbonate. It’s durable (did you know that the Colosseum was mainly built in travertine?) and sturdy.
It has a marble-like appearance and, just like marble, is very porous, making it prone to stains.
How to Take Care of Travertine Furniture:
For daily cleaning, wipe it with a soft cloth and warm water.
Dry the surface properly to avoid moisture.
If there is any spillage, the liquid has to be blotted as soon as possible with a soft cloth. Avoid wiping, as this can spread the liquid across the surface.
Do not use harsh chemical nor acidic liquids, such as vinegar or lemon juice.
Would you like a travertine table top? Request a quote.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Considering travertine’s high porosity, we recommend re-sealing it at least once a year. In high-traffic environments, re-sealing may be required even more often, every 3-6 months.
Caring For Silestone Furniture
What is Silestone?
Silestone HIBRIQ+ surfaces are made with a low silica content and recycled materials.
It has high durability and it’s stain and scratch resistant.
As it’s non-porous, a Silestone surface is very hygienic and easy to clean.
How to Take Care of Silestone Furniture:
For daily cleaning, you can use a neutral cleaner and a damp soft cloth.
After cleaning, make sure to dry the surface.
For tougher stains, like wine, coffee and turmeric, you can apply a 15% bleach solution with a damp cloth and let it work for 2 minutes before rinsing.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Avoid exposing your Silestone furniture to UV rays, as the sunlight can damage its surface and cause colour fading over time.
Caring For Dekton Furniture
What is Dekton?
Dekton is an engineered, ultra compact stone surface created fusing materials such as ceramic, glass and quartz.
It’s very versatile and can withstand abrasions, impacts and scratches.
Its low-porosity makes Dekton very resistant to water and stains.
It’s also worth noting that it’s resistant to UV rays, which means it’s suitable for outdoor use too.
How to Take Care of Dekton Furniture:
For daily cleaning, you can use a neutral soap and a damp soft cloth.
To remove tougher stains, like coffee and wine, you can apply a detergent and rub with a damp soft cloth.
Are you ready to source stone furniture for you hospitality project? Contact our team.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Dekton furniture is very sturdy and can be professionally repaired when chipped, but there is no repair protocol in place for cracked Dekton surfaces.
Caring For Corian Furniture
What is Corian?
Corian is an engineered stone made of acrylic resin and natural minerals.
As it’s non-porous, liquids cannot penetrate the surface but they should be wiped away as soon as possible.
It’s durable and can withstand daily wear and tear. Plus, any scratch or chip can be easily mended.
How to Take Care of Corian Furniture:
For daily cleaning, you can use warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
Tougher stains can be removed by using a damp cloth and a diluted bleach solution.
Avoid putting hot pans directly on the surface.
Kirkdale Pro Tip:
Minor scratches can be removed professionally with sanding.
Stones and Outdoor Use
Marble and natural stone are beautiful materials, however they are not recommended for permanent outdoor use.
Exposure to outdoor conditions can cause changes to the surface and structure of the stone over time.
Natural stone is porous and may absorb moisture. Prolonged exposure to rain, frost, direct sunlight, heat, and temperature fluctuations can lead to staining, discolouration, etching, cracking, or other surface damage. Acidic substances, pollution, and organic matter such as leaves or bird droppings may also mark the surface.
If marble or stone table tops are used outdoors, they should be kept in a covered and protected area, sealed regularly, and not left exposed to standing water or extreme weather.
Even with these precautions, changes in appearance should be expected and are considered a natural characteristic of the material.
Kirkdale Studios cannot accept responsibility for damage, deterioration, or changes in appearance resulting from outdoor use, environmental exposure, or lack of maintenance. Outdoor use of marble and stone table tops is undertaken entirely at the customer’s own risk.
For Great Furniture That Lasts.
As suppliers of contract furniture, from concept to supply (and everything in between) we will be here to assist at every stage of your project. We recommend downloading and following this guide for information on the best ways to care for your contract furniture.
Our guide covers the most common materials used in contract furniture and it gives instruction and tips on cleaning and maintenance that will keep your furniture looking better for longer.
If you have any further questions on the care and maintenance of your furniture please contact a member of our team or at hello@kirkdalestudios.com