Natural Stone Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
Maintenance
General cleaners not specifically formulated for natural stone or tile are never recommended. These can breakdown the sealer, thereby removing its protective properties and making the stone and tile grout susceptible to stains. Worse yet, many cleaning products, including those that contain lemon, vinegar, bleach or ammonia can etch away the polish, discolor the surface, or even scratch your stone.
Many cleaners have what is called a cleaning agent in them. This agent breaks down and dissolves minerals in hard water. Since all stone is made up of minerals, these types of cleaners will dissolve and cause streaks over prolonged use.
Limestone
Limestone is similar to marble in that it is sensitive to acids and household cleaners containing cleaning agents. It varies in hardness and sometimes will have fossil imprints. Preferred Floor and Fiber Care offers cleaning, honing, polishing, and sealing of limestone. For best results, have your limestone sealed and use a neutral stone cleaner.
Marble
Marble is softer and more porous than most stone; it not only scratches easily, but also etches easily. Marble is sensitive to acids in many different food items (including citrus products, sodas, etc.) and the chemical agents in household cleaners. Preferred Floor and Fiber Care offers rust and stain removal as well as cleaning, polishing, and sealing of marble floors and countertops. For best results, have your marble sealed and use a neutral stone cleaner.
Travertine
Travertine is limestone that has been formed by hot springs. Water movement caused erosion of the stone creating numerous holes of varying sizes. Travertine is similar to marble in that it can be polished, and is sensitive to acids and household cleaners with chemical agents. Preferred Floor and Fiber Care offers cleaning, honing, polishing, sealing and enhancement sealers for Travertine. For best results, have your travertine sealed and use a neutral stone cleaner.
Slate
Slate is a fine-grained metamorphic stone usually black, gray or green. Slate is not acid sensitive but prolonged use of household cleaners with chelating agents can cause streaking and dullness. Preferred Floor and Fiber Care offers slate cleaning, sealing or enhancers that bring out the deep rich natural color of slate. For best results, have your slate sealed and use a neutral stone cleaner.
Granite
Granite is an extremely hard natural stone and is not as porous as other natural stones. Though not acid sensitive, prolonged use of household cleaners with chelating agents will cause streaking and can be a homeowner’s nightmare. Preferred Floor and Fiber Care offers cleaning and sealing of granite countertops and floors.
Terrazzo
Terrazzo appears more uniform than most natural stones and is available in tile form or by a pouring application on the slab. Terrazzo is a mixture of Portland cement and marble chips; these chips can range in size from a fraction of an inch to as large as several inches. Preferred Floor and Fiber Care offers Terrazzo cleaning, polishing and sealing. For best results, have your terrazzo sealed and use a neutral stone cleaner.
