Natural Stone Care Guide
Purchasing
natural stone is an investment in lasting beauty that will give you many
years of wear.
Below are a few tips on how to properly care for your natural
stone and help extend its life and beauty.
Following some simple precautions, properly sealing, and using
the correct cleaning methods and products, will insure you a lifetime of
use from your natural stone.
Sealing Your Stone
Natural stone has been formed over millions of years but
improper care can ruin nature's beauty. Although we usually think of stones
as "hard", it is a porous material that can absorb spills and
stains if untreated. Sealing your stone with a quality impregnating sealer
will prevent most spills from damaging your investment.
There are a wide variety of sealers available, so you need
to select one for your specific needs and natural stone type. Impregnating
sealers, with new, advanced fluoropolymer technology, penetrate the stone
and help protect it against water and oil-based stains. Industry professionals
now recognize that natural stone is best protected with a fluropolymer-based
sealer. We recommend sealing your new stone with StoneTech Professional
Impregnator Pro™, formulated with the latest in fluoropolymer technology.
Cleaning Procedures
Keeping your stone free of dust and dry, sandy soil will
minimize the scratches and wear-patterns that can develop from everyday
use of some natural stone, such as marble, limestone, and sandstone. Sweep
or dust all natural stone surfaces regularly to remove loose soil and
dust.
Clean your natural stone on a regular basis with warm water
and a clean, non-abrasive cloth, sponge or mop. In addition, using a neutral
cleaner specially formulated for natural stone will help remove soils
that normal dusting or damp mopping leave behind. We recommend StoneTech
Professional Revitalizer™ Tile and Stone Cleaner with Protector.
This cleaner is developed especially for natural stone and tile care.
Its unique blend of neutral cleaning agents make it gentle on your stone
while leaving behind an impregnating protective shield every time you
clean.
Do not use general purpose cleaners or you may damage your
stone or the sealer applied. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar,
or other acids as these may etch the stone surface and damage the polish.
Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives
that may scratch the surface.
Spills
No matter how careful you are, spills are going to happen.
A quick response and the right solutions can keep spills from damaging
your stone or the sealer.
Etch Marks - Substances that are highly
acidic, such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato products,
mustard and many soft drinks, will "etch" most marble, limestone,
and travertine- whether the stone is sealed or unsealed. Although sealing
allows you time to wipe up a spill, it cannot stop the chemical reaction
that may leave a dull area or etch mark in the stone.
In addition, cleaners are not specifically designed for
natural stone are not recommended. These may etch away the polish, discolor
the surface, scratch the stone or degrade the sealer. That's why selecting
the correct cleaning products is so important to the lifetime beauty of
your natural stone.
Professional refinishing is the best way to permanently
remove etch marks and restore your natural stone's even finish.
Food Spills - Scoop up the food with a
plastic spoon. Blot with dry, white cloth. Spray the area with Revitalizer™.
Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Liquid Spills - Blot away the excess with
a clean, dry, white cloth; turning the cloth frequently. Spray the area
with Revitalizer™. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
Mud - Let the mud stain dry completely.
Remove dried mud with a soft plastic or nylon brush. Spray affected area
with Revitalizer™. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. If the stain remains,
contact a professional cleaner.
Oily Stains - If you identify the stain
as having an oil base (from foods like salad and cooking oils, butter,
or some cosmetics) you may be able to remove the stain using a poultice.
We recommend StoneTech Professional™ Extract Oil Stain Removal Paste.
This easy-to-use poultice is designed to slowly remove oily stains from
natural stone surfaces. Follow the directions on the label.
Protect Your Investment
- Do use coasters under glasses, especially if they
contain alcohol or citrus juices.
- Do use trivets or mats under hot dishes or cookware.
- Do use placemats under china, ceramics, silver or
other objects that may scratch your stone's surface.
- Do place a small rug or mat at entryways to trap
dirt and sand from normal foot traffic.
- Do dust countertops, islands, vanities, and floors
frequently.
- Do blot up spills immediately to minimize permanent
damage to the stone.
- Do clean surfaces by wiping with clean water or
spraying with StoneTech Professional™ Revitalizer™ cleaner,
then wiping dry with a clean cloth.
- Don't use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general
purpose cleaners.
- Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom
cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners.
- Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers
or soft cleansers.
- Don't use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated
for natural stone.
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