How to Care for Your Handcrafted Stone Products: The Complete Guide

You've brought home a beautiful handcrafted stone piece — a marble Ganesha for your prayer room, a sandstone Buddha for the garden, or a stone urli for your dining table. Now what?

The good news: natural stone is one of the most durable materials on earth. With just a little care, your handcrafted piece will look stunning for decades — even centuries. The pyramids are still standing, after all.

Here's our complete guide to keeping your stone handicrafts looking their absolute best.

The Golden Rules (For Every Stone Type)

Before we get into specifics, here are five universal rules that apply to every handcrafted stone piece:

1. Dust regularly — It's the single most important thing you can do
2. Use gentle cleaning — Warm water and mild soap is almost always enough
3. Avoid harsh chemicals — No bleach, no acid-based cleaners, no abrasive powders
4. Wipe spills promptly — Especially on polished marble surfaces
5. Handle with care — Stone is strong but can chip if dropped on hard surfaces

Follow these five rules, and your stone piece will outlive you.

Care by Stone Type

Different stones have different needs. Here's what works best for each:

White Marble Care

White marble is the most popular stone for indoor handicrafts — sculptures, urlis, candle stands, and vases. It's stunning, but it does require a bit of attention.

Daily care:

• Dust with a soft, dry microfiber cloth
• That's it. Seriously.

Weekly care:

• Wipe with a slightly damp cloth (water only)
• For deeper cleaning, use warm water with a few drops of pH-neutral dish soap
• Dry immediately with a clean cloth to prevent water spots

What to avoid:

• ❌ Vinegar, lemon juice, or any acidic cleaner (causes etching — dull spots on the surface)
• ❌ Abrasive scrubbing pads (scratches the polish)
• ❌ Bleach or harsh chemical cleaners
• ❌ Placing directly on surfaces that might stain (newspaper ink, for example)

Common marble concerns:

Q: My marble has a dull spot. What happened? That's likely etching from contact with something acidic (citrus juice, wine, vinegar). For minor etching on polished marble, you can use a marble polishing powder — apply a small amount with water and buff gently with a soft cloth. For severe etching, consult a stone restoration professional.

Q: Can I use my marble urli for water and flowers? Absolutely! That's what it's designed for. Just empty and dry it between uses to prevent mineral deposits. Use clean water and change it every 2–3 days.

Q: Will my white marble turn yellow over time? Quality white marble should not yellow. If you notice discoloration, it's likely from prolonged contact with colored substances or iron-rich water. Regular cleaning prevents this.

Sandstone Care

Sandstone is the easiest stone to maintain. It's naturally tough and forgiving.

Daily/weekly care:

• Dust with a dry cloth or soft brush
• For outdoor pieces, a quick rinse with a garden hose is perfect

Monthly care (outdoor pieces):

• Rinse with clean water
• If algae or moss appears, scrub gently with a soft brush and water
• Let it air dry — sandstone dries quickly

What to avoid:

• ❌ Pressure washers (can erode the surface texture over time)
• ❌ Wire brushes or metal scrapers (scratches the stone)
• ❌ Sealing (usually unnecessary for decorative sandstone pieces)

The beauty of patina: Outdoor sandstone develops a natural patina over time — a gentle aging that gives the stone character. This is considered a feature, not a flaw. Many of the most beautiful stone pieces in Rajasthan's forts and gardens are centuries old and look more magnificent because of their natural aging.

If you prefer a fresh look, regular rinsing keeps sandstone looking newer.

Black Stone Care

Black stone pieces are dramatic and contemporary. They're also relatively easy to maintain.

Regular care:

• Dust with a dry microfiber cloth (dust shows more on dark surfaces, so dust frequently)
• Wipe with a damp cloth for fingerprints
• Dry immediately — water spots show more on dark polished stone

What to avoid:

• ❌ Oily or waxy polishes (create a hazy residue on dark stone)
• ❌ Paper towels (can leave lint visible on dark surfaces; use microfiber instead)

Painted / Colored Stone Care

Many traditional Indian stone handicrafts feature hand-painted details — colors, gold leaf, or meenakari work.

Regular care:

• Dust very gently with a soft, dry cloth
• Avoid rubbing painted areas aggressively

What to avoid:

• ❌ Soaking in water (prolonged water contact can loosen paint over time)
• ❌ Direct sunlight for extended periods (can fade colors over years)
• ❌ Abrasive cleaning of any kind

Indoor vs Outdoor: Different Environments, Different Care

Indoor Stone Pieces

Indoor pieces have it easy — protected from weather, they mainly just need regular dusting.

Key tips:

• Placement: Avoid direct sunlight on painted pieces. Natural light is fine for unpainted stone.
• Surface protection: Place a felt pad under your stone piece to protect both the stone and the furniture beneath it.
• Climate: Stone is not affected by air conditioning or heating. No special climate control needed.
• Humidity: Not a concern for most stone types. Even in humid coastal cities, stone handles moisture well.

Outdoor Stone Pieces

Outdoor pieces need a bit more attention, but stone is naturally built for the outdoors.

Seasonal care calendar:

Season	Care Task
Spring	Rinse off winter dust, check for any moss/algae growth, gentle scrub if needed
Summer	Monthly rinse, ensure piece is stable (check for ground settling)
Monsoon	Rain cleans naturally! Check drainage — stone shouldn't sit in standing water
Winter	Clear fallen leaves and debris that may stain over time

Placement tips for outdoor pieces:

• Place on a stable, level surface (paving stone, concrete pad, or compacted gravel)
• Avoid placing directly on soil — moisture from below can cause staining over time
• Ensure good drainage — stone shouldn't sit in puddles
• Under a tree? Beautiful look, but falling leaves and bird droppings will need occasional cleaning

Dealing with Common Issues

Stains

Water marks/mineral deposits (white spots, especially on dark stone):

• Wipe with a damp cloth and dry immediately
• For stubborn marks, use a stone-specific cleaner

Colored stains (from flowers, leaves, food):

• Create a paste of baking soda and water
• Apply to the stain, cover with plastic wrap
• Let sit for 24 hours, then rinse
• Repeat if needed

Oil/grease spots:

• Sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda on the spot
• Let it absorb for several hours
• Brush off gently and wipe clean

Chips and Minor Damage

Stone is durable, but chips can happen if a piece is dropped or knocked against a hard surface.

For small chips:

• A stone-colored epoxy or marble filler can make minor chips nearly invisible
• Match the color carefully — most hardware stores carry stone repair kits
• For valuable or sentimental pieces, consult a professional

For cracks:

• Small hairline cracks are often natural and don't affect structural integrity
• If a crack seems to be growing, stop using the piece and consult us

Prevention:

• Always lift stone pieces — never drag them across surfaces
• Use both hands for medium pieces, get help for heavy ones
• When moving, wrap in a soft blanket or towel

Algae and Moss (Outdoor Pieces)

Green growth on outdoor stone is natural and some people actually prefer the aged, mossy look. But if you want to remove it:

1. Scrub with a soft brush and clean water
2. For stubborn growth, mix a small amount of mild dish soap with water
3. Rinse thoroughly
4. Repeat monthly during monsoon season if moss returns quickly

What NOT to Do: Common Mistakes

Here are the most common stone care mistakes we see:

❌ Using vinegar as a "natural cleaner" — Vinegar is acidic and will etch marble surfaces, creating permanent dull spots

❌ Over-cleaning — Stone doesn't need daily scrubbing. Over-cleaning with soap can leave residue. Simple dusting is enough most days.

❌ Using bathroom/tile cleaners — These are formulated for ceramic, not natural stone. They're often too harsh.

❌ Pressure washing stone handicrafts — Too aggressive. It can erode carved details and damage the surface texture.

❌ Leaving water sitting in stone vessels for weeks — Change water in urlis every few days to prevent stagnation, mineral deposits, and mosquito breeding.

❌ Applying furniture polish or wax — Stone doesn't need polish. Wax builds up and creates a hazy, uneven surface.

Quick Reference: Care Cheat Sheet

Stone Type	Dusting	Cleaning	Sealing	Outdoor OK?
White Marble	Daily (dry cloth)	Weekly (damp cloth + mild soap)	Optional (annual)	Yes, with more care
Black Stone	Daily (microfiber)	Weekly (damp cloth)	Not needed	Best indoors
Sandstone	Weekly (brush/cloth)	Monthly (water rinse)	Not needed	Perfect outdoors
Painted Stone	Weekly (soft brush)	Gentle dry dusting only	Not needed	Indoor only
Green Marble	Daily (dry cloth)	Weekly (damp cloth)	Optional (annual)	Best indoors

Your Stone Care Toolkit

Everything you need to care for your stone collection:

Must-haves:

• 2–3 soft microfiber cloths (one for dusting, one for damp cleaning, one for drying)
• Mild pH-neutral dish soap
• Clean water

Nice-to-haves:

• Soft-bristled brush (for textured surfaces and outdoor pieces)
• Marble polishing powder (for occasional polish restoration on marble)
• Felt pads (to place under stone pieces on furniture)

Total cost: Under ₹500 for everything. Stone care doesn't need to be expensive.

When to Seek Professional Help

Most stone care is simple DIY. But some situations warrant a professional:

• Deep etching or scratches on polished marble
• Large cracks or structural damage
• Restoration of antique or heirloom pieces
• Paint touch-ups on traditional painted sculptures
• Stubborn stains that don't respond to home remedies

The Bottom Line

Caring for handcrafted stone is simpler than most people think. Here's the entire routine for most people:

Daily: Quick dust with a soft cloth (30 seconds) Weekly: Wipe with a damp cloth if needed (2 minutes) Monthly: Rinse outdoor pieces with water (5 minutes) Yearly: Assess if marble pieces need sealing

That's it. Your handcrafted stone piece was built to last. With minimal care, it will be just as beautiful in 50 years as it is today.

Have Questions About Your Piece?

Every stone is unique, and sometimes you need personalized guidance. Our team at Mour Handicrafts has been caring for natural stone for generations.

• Contact Our Team →
• Browse Our Collection →
• Learn About Our Stones →

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Mour Handicrafts — Every piece we create is meant to be treasured for generations. That means building them to last, and helping you keep them beautiful.