Maintenance
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The natural stone is an investment that will give you many years of beautiful service.
Simple care and maintenance will keep it looking beautiful. Here are some recommendations
for routine care and cleaning:
Precautions
Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus
juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the stone
surface. Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats
under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that
can scratch the surface.
Cleaning Procedures & Recommendations :
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 will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the
mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps
on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Do not
use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels
may scratch the surface.
Other Surfaces
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (check with
us for recommendations) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use
a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results.
Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products
that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface
thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Change
the rinse water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products
contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.
Bath and Other Wet Areas
In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after
each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution
of ammonia and water (about 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use
of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.
Vanity Top Surfaces
Vanity tops may need to have a penetrating sealer applied. Check with your installer
for recommendations. A good quality marble wax or non-yellowing automobile paste
wax can be applied to minimize water spotting.
Food Preparation Areas
In food preparation areas, the stone may need to have penetrating sealer applied.
Check with your installer for recommendations. If a sealer is applied, be sure that
it is non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces.if there is a questions,
check with us.
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.
Do's and Don'ts
Do dust mop floors frequently.Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone
soap.
Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing.
Do blot up spills immediately.
Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or areas rugs and countertop
surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats.
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
of 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.