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June 22, 2009
Cleaning Stone Countertop
Hi All, We have stone countertops in the kitchen. Pietra Cardosa specifically or, as our plain-speaking GC likes to call it, "grey schist." It performs very well but, after 9 years use, has darkened significantly. I believe this is due to its having absorbed cooking oil etc. So before I reseal it, I'd like to thoroughly clean it. Has anyone tried applying a poultice and, if so, do you have a recipe for mixing it up? Any other tips gratefully received. I'd rather do this myself than hire a professional but don't want to use the wrong chemicals!
Comments
Are you sure it hasn't oxidized. I was under the impression that Pietra got black over time like soapstone does.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at June 22, 2009 2:38 PM
I don't know that particular material but I recently cleaned some very old, stained marble using a mix of peroxide & baking soda that someone on the forum recommended. It worked wonderfully well w/ no elbow grease needed. I'd tried many, many other methods over the years. I doubt it would hurt to try it. No measurements - just make a not-too-thick paste.
Posted by: Arkady at June 22, 2009 3:04 PM
schists can discolor over time from oxidation and I think they are slightly porous. the "schist" means to split so I imagine over time everything gets absorbed into the surface.they aren't actually homogenous, but made up of interleaved flakes and the composition can vary.
Posted by: bxgrl at June 22, 2009 4:00 PM
we have the same material. i've used acetone and talc mixed into a paste, spread over the affected area and covered in saran wrap, taped at the edges. this works, but it's hard to do over a large area. i've basically given up and just let nature be nature.
Posted by: sixtysox at June 22, 2009 4:34 PM
Thanks everyone. I'll try the poultice but won't get my hopes up too much!
Posted by: grand army at June 23, 2009 6:38 PM
Schist is much more porous than a true granite and will absorb dirt, grease, etc. over time.
Your best bet is to have a professional restore the top. You'll be much happier and it will be money well spent.
Tracy
Denver Designer and representative for Loveless Stone sandstone countertops
Posted by: DenverDsigner at July 3, 2009 1:27 PM
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