Protecting Your Investment !!

The natural stone that you have selected for your home or office is an investment that will give you years of both service and beauty. An important factor in maintaining the beauty of stone is a regular maintenance treatment of its surface and finish.

Preventative Care

Know your stone surface and its needs and tailor a maintenance schedule to suit. Know its limitations and usual longevity; precautions to avoid wear and damage; whether it is soft, hard, porous or easily scratched, and what chemicals will affect it. Find out how your stone should be treated on a daily and long-term basis and when you will need professional resealing, re polishing or deep cleaning.

Have your stone surface professionally sealed once it has been installed. Sealing with a penetrating sealer which soaks into the stone will help resist staining, will reduce a build up of moisture and will allow easier cleaning. Topical sealers that rest on top of the stone can encourage moisture to accumulate under the surface and can change the look of the stone and are therefore not recommended.

Avoid placing acidic or chemical products on surfaces as these can etch or stain (especially marble and limestone). Wine, juice, vinegar, milk, tea and coffee can etch some stone surfaces so the use of coasters is recommended. Soil and water trapped under pot plants can cause mildew and staining. High alkaline products such as soap, shampoo, perfume and aftershave can stain or etch. All spills must be cleaned up immediately.

Avoid wearing shoes on polished surfaces as even the smallest amount of grit on the bottom of a shoe will scratch a stone surface. Removal of shoes will prolong the life of a polished floor. If this is not possible then a good quality doormat is recommended to remove as much excess dirt and grit as possible. It takes up to 4 steps on each foot to remove grit from the bottom of shoes.

Place soft pads under furniture such as felt, as any slight movement of furniture, especially chairs, will cause scratching. Clean felt pads will help avoid this. Always lift furniture when moving it and DO NOT drag. Chairs are the biggest cause of damage to stone floors when they do not have pads on the bottom of the legs.

Use a clean cotton cloth or mop to clean or polish stone as these are gentle on stone and will not scratch it. The Microfiber Mop is ideal. If scouring is necessary, use only professionally recommended scouring products and follow the directions given by your stone care professional. Using other scourers will scratch the stone and remove the glossy surface. Change the water regularly when using rinsing cloths.

Cleaning Procedures & Recommendations

General Cleaning:

• Clean stone surfaces with a cleaner designated safe for natural stone.
• Use a clean mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results.
• Don't use more than the recommended amount of any cleaning product. Too much may leave a film, causing streaks.
• Change rinse water frequently.
• Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble, travertine or limestone as these can etch the surface of the stone.
• Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Floor Surfaces

• Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop.
• Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness.
• Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that can scratch a stone floor.
• Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface.
• Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn, the metal or plastic attachments may scratch the surface.

Bath and Other Wet Areas

• In the bath / shower or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. instructions and recommended products on how to remove soap scum as well as resolving other issues that can arise in a bath area.

Counter/Vanity Top Surfaces

• Clean your counter tops daily with a soft cloth or paper towel and a residue free cleaner designated safe for natural stone.
• If Streaking Occurs Buff the counter top with a clean white terry cloth or paper towel if streaking occurs.
• Use a Good Stone Polish Occasionally.
• For additional luster on those special occasions, apply a good stone polish to the surface of your counter tops.
• Seal if Necessary. Counter tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. If a sealer is applied, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use in food preparation surfaces.

Outdoor Pool & Patio Areas

• In outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas, flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.

Stain Treatment and Other Issues

• If possible, immediately blot spills with a clean paper towel. If something has soaked into the stone and stained it, a poultice may need to be applied.
• Your natural stone and grout may need to be periodically sealed. For small jobs, you can purchase the product and do it yourself, or contact us to perform the service for you.

Natural Stone Care Do's and Don't s

• Do dust mop floors frequently.
• Do clean surfaces with a neutral stone cleaner.
• Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing.
• Do blot up spills immediately.
• Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and counter top surfaces with coasters, trivets or place mats, particularly under those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the stone surface.
• Don't place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and place mats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.
• Don't use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces.
• Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners.
• Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
• Don't mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.