After the cleaning: what to do, and what to avoid

A lot of families come back a year later and ask, "how do we keep it looking like this?" It doesn't take any special knowledge, mostly knowing what not to do.

What actually helps

• A visit with a simple water bottle. A light rinse every three or four months washes dust off before it sticks.
• Soft microfibre cloth. No sponge, no brush.
• Flowers in a pot, not directly on the marble. Standing water leaves a dark stain that is very hard to remove later.
• One photo a year. Sounds odd, but if you photograph the same angle once a year, you'll instantly spot anything that has shifted or a crack starting.

What you really shouldn't do

• Bleach. The first thing people reach for, and the thing that does the most damage to marble. Chlorine kills the polish and seeps into the pores.
• Acid-based cleaners (limescale removers, toilet cleaner). Within minutes they strip the top layer of stone, leaving a rougher surface that absorbs even more dirt next time.
• Wire brush. Leaves scratches and rust marks that show up two weeks later.
• "Strong glue" on a slab that's moved. Super glue or epoxy is wrong for stone: it yellows over time and doesn't let the stone breathe.

What about the coast in winter?

If the stone is in Nahariya, Ashdod or Netanya, ask us about a yearly water-repellent treatment. It isn't expensive, and it significantly cuts down on how much salt the stone absorbs in winter.

One last thing

If something looks off, send a photo before trying to fix it. Most of the time the answer is "it's fine, leave it for the next yearly service." And that answer is free.