Natural or artificial stone used in the interior adds a touch of luxury to the space, yet it doesn't have to be as inaccessible a material as it might seem. Whether it's stairs, windowsills, a bar counter, a coffee table, or a kitchen countertop, this amazing natural material requires a certain amount of attention.
In this article, we will focus on the professional treatment of natural stone surfaces that may come into contact with food. However, this guide is applicable to all types of natural stone, engineered stone, and concrete.
Why take care of stone?
Stone is a wonderful natural material with a beautiful color range and ideal properties for interior use. High gloss and deep color do not occur completely naturally in nature, and the final state in which it is applied to the interior must be achieved through grinding and polishing.
This is one of the reasons why we recommend treating and stabilizing the surface finish of the stone. It is not a difficult process at all, and we will briefly explain it to you in the following points.
Freshly treated company kitchenette made of technical stone.
Preparation of the stone countertop surface before applying the protective coating (impregnation).
If you are going to treat a stone countertop that has been in use for some time, I would recommend focusing on detecting and removing grease stains. In any case, the first step is surface preparation, which means thorough cleaning.
- Apply the product Lem 3 in a spray bottle to the surface and let it act for approximately 5-10 minutes. During this time, dirt will be released, which you can rinse with clean water, or suction off with a suitable sponge or extractor. Perform a visual inspection to assess whether it is advisable to apply the cleaner once more.
- If there are grease stains in the stone, use the cleaner B SPOT REMOVER MANGIA MACCHIA. The application of the product is in undiluted state (thick consistency) and it is applied in a layer of about 5 mm using a spatula or spreader on the area soaked with grease. Cover with plastic wrap so that the substances act for as long as possible. Let it act until the product starts to dry. If the paste is dry but does not dry in the part where the stain was located, remove it and apply a new layer (the undried part is soaked with grease). Apply until the paste remains dry across the entire applied area.
- In case of corrosion, proceed similarly with the product B – RUST REMOVER MANGIA RUGGINE.
Application of the protective layer
If the kitchen countertop is clean, degreased, and completely dry, we can proceed to apply the protective coating. We recommend impregnating with the product IDEA QUARZO.
- It is a high-quality protection from the Italian brand Bellinzoni, suitable against water and oils, applicable to all types of stone. What is extremely important is that this product has an NSF food-grade certificate and simultaneously allows the material to "breathe."
- Apply the product evenly to the entire surface in undiluted state until the material is saturated. Let it act for 10 min. and wipe off the excess product with a clean cloth.
- It can be washed with clean water after 24 hours of drying. We recommend washing with chemical agents only after five days of absolute curing.
- For washing and regular maintenance, we recommend using the product BLOCK D70 ECO+ from the same manufacturer.
Professional cleaning and impregnation products from the Italian brand Bellinzoni.
Maintain the beauty of the stone with regular maintenance and care as recommended by professionals.
A properly treated stone countertop is not just a luxury interior accessory. It is also a perfect material that can handle even the most demanding treatment. Thanks to its properties, you can prepare food directly on it, mix dough, place raw meat, or place a hot pot without a mat. At the end of such culinary stories, it is necessary to clean and maintain it properly.
In this article, we recommend products from the top Italian brand BELLINZONI. This company has been dedicated specifically and exclusively to the development of products for the maintenance and treatment of stone for decades. It is not just a secondary marketing product just to have something to sell - "because stone." Why do I mention this? Because you might ask yourself: "Why not clean with common available cleaners?" The answer is that stone is a natural material and common cleaners may contain aggressive chemicals that react negatively with some component contained in the stone. In this way, the surface can be slowly and systematically disrupted with every cleaning, thereby losing its shine or causing minor defects.
- The optimal product for regular cleaning of a kitchen countertop is B-REFRESH TOP, offered in a practical spray. This product cleans and simultaneously disinfects the stone surface. It is applied to the area by spraying, left to act for a while, and then wiped with a paper towel or a clean cloth.
- A similar product for regular maintenance, recommended by the manufacturer once a week, is the cleaner B3 Action Top. This cleaner is also sold in a practical spray. During routine maintenance, it cleans, disinfects and simultaneously applies a new impregnation layer. Spray the product on the area, let it act for two minutes, and wipe with a clean cloth or paper towel. After complete drying, polish the surface manually.
Conclusion
This article was created in cooperation with our supplier of Italian chemicals Bellinzoni, Mr. Manas from the company GABRO CARE FOR STONE.
Mr. Manas has been working with the Bellinzoni brand since 2006. During this time, he has gained extremely valuable experience applied in his practice as a stonemason, with a subsequent focus on cleaning, polishing, and maintenance of stone floors and surfaces in both construction and cemetery stonemasonry.
He willingly passes on the acquired information to his business partners and customers at regular training sessions, for which we at DiaSegment s.r.o. sincerely thank him!
Regular training on Bellinzoni brand products.
Pavol Šáray
CEO & Technical Expert DiaSegment
I spend most of my time in the field with customers, searching for the best solutions for their specific tasks directly at construction sites or in stonemasonry workshops. These field trips are my greatest inspiration – I subsequently process insights from practice into professional articles to help you navigate the subject matter. As I am often in full work mode, you might not catch me immediately, but I will be happy to give your questions my full attention.
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