Forget those preconceived ideas! Blue stone does not require any specific maintenance. The hardness and non-porosity of Blue Limestone of Hainaut naturally protects it against the external aggressions of daily life. Let it take on the traces of everyday life. It will gain character and charm.
Cleaning
How to clean blue limestone?
5 most frequently asked cleaning questions
Can I use soap to clean my blue stone?
It is perfectly alright to use soap to maintain your blue limestone, though regular cleaning with clear water should be enough. Every third clean, use slightly soapy water to clean your blue limestone. Avoid using too much soap. It doesn’t clean any more, and excess soap risks leaving unsightly marks on the surface of the stone.
What is the best soap to use?
If you want to use soap when cleaning, choose a neutral pH soap, such as Marseilles soap flakes, or Carolin ... avoid maintenance with acids, chemicals or descaling agents for sanitary use! The blue limestone is a compact limestone and therefore reacts badly to descaling agents.
For outside use, regular maintenance is not in itself necessary - the weather will take care of that for you. Once a year you should remove vegetation build-up after the winter with water and bleach, or with a product from the Lithofin or Akemi range.
If you use a natural stone cleaner, take care to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Measure out the product correctly and test it first on a hidden part of the stone.
How do I protect my blue limestone?
The hardness and non-porosity of blue limestone naturally protects against external aggression. Everyday accidents may leave traces of surface but they never will penetrate the stone and, with time they fade into the patina. Blue limestone is a natural living material – don’t be afraid if it gets a couple of marks or scratches! It’ll only gain in character and charm.
A simple cleaning with soap (in moderation) nourishes the stone, helps protect and blurs any micro-scratches. Caution: Avoid using too much soap. An excess of soap can create an unsightly film on the surface of the stone.
If you want to apply additional protection to your worktop or to your patio, for example, chose protection products that are produced specifically for natural stone, such as Lithofin, Akemi…. Or use the traditional method, which is to coat the stone with a linseed oil and turpentine solution.
Can I use spreading salt during the winter on my bluestone?
Blue Stone of Hainaut is a forgiving material. This means that bluestone can’t be damaged by the application of de-icing salt, which can in no way alter the beauty or strength of this natural stone. After thawing, remember to rinse the stone.
How do I clean my bluestone terrace?
Outside, bluestone does not require regular maintenance. The weather takes care of it for you. Good maintenance after installation and once a year in the spring can be useful to remove vegetation that has settled during the winter.