NATURAL STONE & MASONRY SURFACES
GIVEN PROPER CARE WILL SUSTAIN THEIR
BEAUTY FOREVER

                                    DO'S & DON'TS

        Blot up spills Immediately
       Dust mop floors...Using a untreated dust mop.
     Use door mats and walk-off mats whenever possible. This will help keep dirt
             and grit off the floor.
       Damp mop floors regularly...Using a neutral cleaner formulated to clean stone.
       Replace metal or plastic furniture glides with nylon glides.
       Remove felt from bottom of nick/knacks. The dye in the felt may eventually cause
             staining. This can be replaced with clear plastic self-adhesive tabs to protect from
             scratching.
       Keep planter containers up off the surface of the stone. This can be achieved
             by using container stands that allow air circulation under the containers.
       Showers...Use a shower squeegee after use...Treat the shower with a water &
             oil repellent and use a stone polish; this will increase the sheeting
             action. (water run off) This will greatly minimize hard-water deposits from
             occurring. Do this quarterly or more often as need.
       Shower glass doors...Treat using a glass sealant like "RainX"; this will also
             protect the glass from hard-water deposits.

       Don't...use vinegar or cleaners that contain acids...such as tile, tub, toilet
                         and grout cleaners.
       Don't...use powder cleansers, soft cream cleansers (SoftScrub, etc.),
                         mildew/mold removers (TileX, X14, etc.), disinfectants (Lysol, etc.)
                         and abrasive nylon scrub pads.
            There is now available safe disinfectants that have been formulated
             that can be used around and on stone surfaces.
       Don't...use furniture polish (Pledge, Jubilee, Endust, etc.) on stone surfaces.
        Use a stone polish; this will help minimize staining and etching on
                     furniture, counters and vanities.
       Don't...use the cork and wood container protectors. These can cause sever stains.

MAINTAINING STONE IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENT OR ANY MORE DIFFICULT TO CARE FOR THAN ANY OTHER MATERIAL

  PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
Natural stone bears natures many complexities and shows large variations in its absorption,
density and hardness. These have an important impact on how to protect and preserve the appearance and beauty of the stone.

Due to these natural variations many stone surfaces can easily lose their appealing aesthetic
qualities due to damage resulting from the everyday wear of...foot-traffic, spills, harsh cleaners
and the weathering elements.

The fact that stone is absorbent and has a mineral chemistry that can react in strange ways to conventional cleaners, makes the proper selection of cleaners very important for successfully maintaining stone on a daily bases.

Many of the commercial conventional  products that are labeled "Neutral", "All-Purpose"
cleaners can have a pH ranging from slightly acidic 6 to a alkaline base of 8 - 10. The
chemical reactions of these cleaners are gradual; they will eventually dull the natural polish
of the stone and discolor it over time. It is not recommended using these "all purpose"
cleaners on stone surfaces.

Stone care products have been formulated to effectively  solve the specific cleaning
problems related to the absorbent and mineral characteristics of stone.

Also, due to its absorbent nature, some varieties more so than others, will absorb
liquids and oils, causing stains, discolorations or irreversible mineralogical chemical
changes in the stone. These processes are greatly minimized by having the stone
treated with a penetrating water or oil repellent.

These treatments products penetrate below the surface into the micro-pore structure,
lining them and interrupting the natural migration of moisture or oil into the stone, making
the stone surface easier to clean; and in exterior installations provides protections from
the adverse affects of the natural weathering processes.

If the stone will be used where foods and oils will be present, it is recommended to
treated these areas with a oil repellent and in general purpose areas with a water repellent.

NOTE : Penetrating treatments will not protect acid sensitive stones (marble & limestone)
            from etching, however, they can minimize its damaging affects by keeping the acid
            at the surface producing superficial etches that are easier and less costly to remove.

As part of a Preventive Maintenance Program, it is also recommended to keep a
record when the stone was treated, the product brand used and its service life. Over time
the treatment will eventually lose its effectiveness and the stone should be retreated to protect
and preserve it.

  ONGOING MAINTENANCE
A regular maintenance schedule will prolong the natural beauty and appearance of the stone.

Equipment needed...
                               Untreated dust mop. Oil treated dust mops
                                    will leave a residue on the surface which can
                                    attract dust and dirt.
                               A mop handle with a plastic mop head frame
                                A couple of rayon or quality cotton mops;
                                    cotton mops vary as to their cotton oil content,
                                    which can leave a film behind.
                                Mop bucket and wringer
                                A plastic bristle hand brush
                                Clean soft cleaning towels

Stone has three basic finishes...
                                             Polished :  A highly reflective glassy surface.
                                               Honed :  A smooth surface with little or no
                                                                light reflection.
                                             Textured : Natural cleft, flamed or rough
                                                                surface with no light reflection.

It is important to dust mop floors regularly especially polished ones to remove abrasive
substances.

Damp mopping with a neutral pH-7 stone cleaner can be done to clean all three finishes.
Whatever product brand that will be used follow manufactures recommendation.

For honed and textured surfaces a "stone soap" can be used. Stone soaps are a
combination cleaner and conditioner product generally formulated from natural vegetable
oils. They leave behind a residue that acts as a soil releasing agent on textured surfaces,
they can also provide added stain protect and on some stones develop an attractive
patina. They can be intentionally built-up and used as a natural stone dressing by using a
slow speed floor machine and a buffing pad on a honed surface or a buffing brush on a
textured one to produce a attractive luster.

Periodically a thorough cleaning is advised. This will depend upon exterior environmental
conditions and the interior condition the stone is subject to. If stone soap is used as a
dressing it should be removed periodically.

Following these simple recommendation will preserve the appearance and natural beauty
or your stone.
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