Caring for Your Stone ...

Many people think because it’s stone, it is impossible to damage it! Nothing could be further from the truth. Stone has many potential weaknesses, but once it has been properly protected and maintained the beauty is unparalleled

The first step in stone tile maintenance is the sealing of the stone.  
Generally, all stone must be sealed. Follow the Manufacturers recommendations for the product you choose. Know that the surface preparation (polished, honed, or antiqued) coupled with the density and porosity of the stone will determine the best type (petroleum or water based) of sealer to be used.

Everyday cleaning:
Immediately wipe up spills and messes. If well-sealed, damp-mopping should keep it clean. Most stones, once protected, require occasional scrubbing to remove surface build-up of dirt and grime. Using a neutral cleaner, mop or scrub on cleaner as directed. Mild dishwashing liquid sometimes works quite well on stone surfaces. Rinse the tile and grout thoroughly to remove any remaining cleaner. Towel drying after rinsing removes streaks.    

On honed (smooth but not polished) or slate (rough) finish stones, a good scrubbing is required more often, due to the texture of the product holding the dirt to the surface. A good penetrating sealer cuts down on the frequency of this task. With all stones, establish what sealer to use or has been used previously, and then work within the Manufacturer's guidelines to set up a regular maintenance schedule.

Getting rid of small stain 
For stains on marble or stone, a product commonly referred to as "poultice" should be used. Poultice is used in a paste form and is applied to the surface, covering the entire area where the stain is. Then apply a piece of plastic, larger than the stain area, over the poultice and seal off with tape. Allow it to set the prescribed amount of time by the Manufacturer and remove plastic and poultice. The stain is normally drawn out of the stone. Some poultice type products push the stain down into the stone away from the surface of the stone and allow you to seal the stone, thus keeping the stain away from the surface. Some stains may require multiple applications or can only be partially removed.

Polishing
Polishing stones to make attractive edges or to fix damage done by chemicals can be done in small areas by most anyone. Kits are available which have all the products to do this in one box. If you have a large area that is damaged or if you want to establish a once-a-year regular maintenance procedure to keep your marble glowing with it's original mirror finish, contact a company that specializes in this type of work.

Acids and Alcohol
Marble and Limestone are susceptible to the aggressive action of acids and alcohol.  Care should be taken to remove spillages of fruit juice, particularly lemon, wine and vinegar, beetroot etc. e.g. the residue of red wine on the base of wineglasses will leave its mark. Nail varnish and any other solvent or oil based products will stain if not wiped up immediately. 

Acidic cleaners will etch and remove the polished surfaces from alkaline stones like marble, travertine, and sandstone. Acidic cleaners will eventually erode the grout in the joints making cleaning and maintenance more and more problematic. This is especially true if using acid cleaners on sanded grout installations. This is due to the tendency of acid cleaners to eat away at the smaller aggregates first leaving the larger stain attracting aggregates behind.
Colored grout pigment can be permanently damaged by using acidic cleaners. This is especially true if used on a daily basis.

If In Doubt, Don't Apply Any Cleaner Or Cleaning Technique
Some mistakes can be irreversible, always check labels on the product you are thinking of using and test an inconspicuous area first to see what effects, if any, your cleaning process will have.

Heavy duty cleaning:
For a large area or deep stain, we recommend you consult professional stone cleaning services. Our showroom, at the Merchandise Mart, uses deep cleaning and stone sealing services from Haugland Bro. Cleaning. We are very happy with its professionalism, knowledge, and quality. You can reach them at (630)904-1260.
 

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