Care & Cleaning

CARE & CLEANING FOR NATURAL STONE TILES

Coating with sealers and /or impregnators is required to minimize stains and scratches. Sealers are protective coatings. Impregnators penetrate below the surface and become repellents. Impregnators are usually water-repelling but are also oil-repelling. Impregnators keep contaminants out but do not stop the interior moisture from escaping.

Floors Surfaces
Vacuum or sweep the surface first, then dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Periodic maintenance involves mopping with clean, potable water and neutral and midly abrasive (pH7) cleaners. Soapless cleaners are recommended because they minimize filming and streaking.

Bath & Other Wet Areas
Soup scup 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 ½ cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.

Spills and Stains
Blot up the spill with a paper towel immediately. Flush the area with plain water and mild soap and rinse several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Oil - based (grease, tar, cooking oil, milk food stains) – Clean with scouring powder with bleach or liquid cleanser with bleach or household detergent or ammonia or mineral spirits (flammable).

Organic (tea, coffee, cosmetics, fruit, tobacco, urine) – Clean with 12% hydrogen peroxide directly on stain and add a few drops of ammonia. Leave until bubbling stops.

Copper and Metal stains must use poultice with ammonium chloride or ammonium hydroxide.

Biological (mildew; algae, lichens, moss, fungi) clean with dilute (½ cup in a gallon of water) ammonia or bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Do not mix bleach and ammonia. This mixture causes a toxic and lethal gas. Do not ever mix chemicals together unless instructions specifically direct you to do so.

Efflorescence (white powdery layer of film on the surface of the travertine). If the installation is new, dust mop or vacuum powder. Repeat as necessary as the stone dries out. If the problem persist use the poultice with distilled water or contact the contractor to identify and remove the cause of the moisture.

Don’t use lemon juice, vinegar or other cleaners containing acids such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners.