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Natural stone is an investment that will give
you many years of beauty. Stone is a natural product
and simple care and maintenance will keep it looking
beautiful. Please find below recommendations from
the Marble Institute of America.
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. Use trivets or
placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other
objects that can scratch the surface.
All Stone Surfaces
Clean stone surfaces with neutral cleaner, stone
soap (available at hardware stores or from your
stone dealer) 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.
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 old as the attachments or the wheels may scratch
the surface.
Bath and Other Wet Areas
In the bath or other wet areas, using a squeegee
after each use can minimize soap scum. 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 use
of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the
surface.
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 question, check with the sealer manufacturer.
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
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'ts
Don't use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners
containing acids on marble, limestone, and 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.
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