Know your material first
| Material | Water | Best cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Painted stone dust | Avoid | Soft dry brush; barely damp cloth for marks |
| Natural stone (unpainted) | Yes, briefly | Water + mild soap, soft brush, dry well |
| Marble | Yes, briefly | Water + pH-neutral soap; no acids |
Routine cleaning
- Brush off dust with a soft paintbrush, working from top to bottom.
- Wipe flat areas with a dry microfibre cloth.
- For unpainted stone, wipe with a damp cloth and dry immediately.
Removing oil, kumkum and haldi stains
Act quickly: these stains set over time. For natural stone and marble, dab with mild soapy water and a soft cloth, rinse and dry. For painted stone dust, blot gently with a dry cloth; do not rub hard, which can lift paint. Keep idols a short distance away from diyas so oil does not splash.
Never use these
- Lemon, vinegar or tamarind on marble (acids etch the surface).
- Bleach, toilet cleaners or harsh chemicals.
- Scrubbers, steel wool or hard brushes.
- Soaking painted idols in water or milk.
Protecting colours and finish
- Keep idols out of direct sunlight to stop paint fading.
- Keep them dry in the monsoon; see our monsoon guide.
- Handle them by the base, not by thin parts like hands or crowns.
Repairing small chips
If a stone dust idol gets a small chip, collect the piece if possible and glue it back with a clear, strong adhesive meant for stone or ceramics, holding it in place until set. For tiny chips in painted areas, a matching acrylic paint applied with a fine brush hides the mark. Larger breaks on idols used for worship are traditionally not used for daily puja; many families keep the idol respectfully or immerse it. Prevent chips by placing idols away from shelf edges and handling them by the base.
Our stone idols
See the stone dust Durga Maa, stone dust Saraswati and stone Shiva lingam. Learn more in what is a stone dust idol.
