Stone, Tile & Grout Cleaning

Penetrating Sealer
All natural stone is porous, some more than others.  For most stone – especially very porous stones like hone-finished limestone and selective granites – the application of a quality penetrating sealer is highly recommended.

The application of a penetrating sealer to a highly polished stone may not be necessary, but when in doubt it doesn’t hurt to have it sealed.  If it the sealing prevents some staining, you’ve saved yourself the cost of a stain removal service.

What Does A Sealer Do?
Most stone sealers will not alter the original finish produced by the factory.  A penetrating stone sealer is a “below surface” product being absorbed into the stone reducing its natural absorbency rate.  This provides protection from accidental spills of staining agents.  Some stones are so porous that no sealer can provide satisfactory sealing for an extended period of time.  Refrain from applying from a topical sealer, wax or coating.

How Many Applications of Sealer are Needed?
Some more porous stones may require more than one application of a sealer.  At least two applications are recommended on granites.  Very porous granites, sandstone, quartzite, etc. may require more sealer applications.  When sealer is no longer being absorbed into the stone, it is adequately sealed.

How Long Does the Sealer Last?
There is no uniform answer; the durability of stone sealer is affected by its exposure to use, heat, direct sunlight and routine maintenance.  Generally speaking, most quality penetrating sealers will last 10 years or more – if they are not damaged or removed by the use of improper cleaning methods.

When Is It Time to Reseal?
A simple test is to pour some water on your stone surface, wait approximately 30 – minutes and then wipe it dry.  If the surface of the stone did not darken, it indicates that the stone is still being protected by the sealer.  It’s wise to test various areas, especially those exposed to high use.

Color Enhancing Sealer
While a penetrating sealer will not alter the appearance of your stone, a color enhancing sealer provides protection but will typically give the stone a “wet look”, darkening some colors and making others more vibrant.  It is recommended to view a test area of this appearance change before proceeding with a color enhancing sealer application.

Sealing Grout
Cementitious grout is porous and will absorb liquids, possibly resulting in stain and bacteria growth.  Grout sealing provides a stain protection barrier, as well as making routine cleaning and maintenance easier.

Natural stone and tile brings value, design and functionality into your interior environment. We want to help you keep your stone and tile flooring, countertops, vanities, shower enclosures, tub and fireplace surrounds looking their best.

Care Tips

Natural Stone
Natural stone – especially calcite-based stones such as marble, travertine, limestone and many slates – may have a delicate chemical composition that could potentially interact with household cleaning solutions resulting in rough, white spots or etching of the stone surface.

Some spills can be detrimental to your stone and tile surfaces, if unattended.  Citrus juices, lemonade, wine, vinegar, liquors, tomato sauce, yogurt, salad dressing, perfume and after shave – to name a few – can etch marble, travertine, limestone, onyx, alabaster and many slates.

Do

• Use coasters under drinking glasses (particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices) to avoid etching.
• Use place mats under china, silver or other objects to avoid scratching of the surface.
• Blot up any spills as quickly as possible.

Don’t

• Place hot items directly on the stone surface.  Use trivets or mats under hot dishes.
• Rub to clean up spills, only blot.
• Use cleaning products that are not formulated for your specific natural stone and tile care, including glass cleaners and liquid toilet bowl cleaner.

Stone and Tile Flooring

Do

• Invest in a good quality mop and proper mopping bucket for your polished natural stone or porcelain floors. A micro-fiber or closed-loop cotton string mop is best … free from grit that may scratch your floor surface.

Don’t

• Use colored cloths or sponges that may transfer fugitive dye to your floor.

Stone and Tile Kitchen Counter Tops

Do

• Use specialty cleaners formulated for the composition of your natural stone and tile.
• Allow the cleaner to “dwell” to moisten and soften the soil.  Let the cleansing agent do the work.
• Use sponges, not aggressive scouring pads.

Don’t

• Don’t allow spills to dwell too long on the counter top surface.  Blot up as soon as you can.
• Use generic household cleaners.  They often are too harsh for your natural stone and sealer.
• Use green or brown scouring pads for dried-on spills.   The silicon carbide grit can scratch even the toughest granite.

Stone and Tile Vanity Tops

Do

• Use specialty cleaners formulated for the composition of your natural stone and tile.
• Clean your mirror with a neutral cleaner.  Over-spray from glass cleaners can affect your stone.

Don’t

• Use a household powder or cream cleanser.
• Do your nails or color your hair without protecting your marble vanity top.
• Don’t place wet bottles (perfume, after-shave, etc.) on the vanity top.  Decorative vanity trays are a practical solution for the placement of cosmetics and fragrances.

Stone and Tile Shower Enclosures

Do

• Inspect your grout and caulk lines periodically and immediately address any problems.
• Rinse/clean your shower enclosure daily to avoid build-up of soil and soap residue.
• Use a specially formulated soap film remover to address soap scum and hard mineral deposits.
• Use a specially formulated mildew stain remover to clean mildew stains that appear on the grout lines.

Don’t

• Use generic soap film or mildew removers such as Tilex Soap Scum®, Tilex Mildew Stain Remover®, Kaboom™,  X-14 Soap Scum® or X-14 Mildew Stain Remover® on your polished stone shower enclosure.
• Use harsh cleaners such as SCRUBFREE® or disinfectant such as LYSOL®.
• Use toilet bowl cleaners.  They are highly acidic and can damage your natural stone.

When an acidic substance is put on an acid sensitive stone surface it may etch the surface.

An etch is defined as a rough or dull mark produced by acid eating away at a polished surface.

Common Acid Sensitive Stones

• Limestone
• Marble
• Travertine
• Concrete
• Most Grouts (epoxy grout is acid resistant)

Polished stone is more likely to show etching.

Grout:  Over time acidic cleaners can deteriorate your grout

Acid Resistant Stones

• Granite
• Slate
• Epoxy Grout
• Ceramic, Porcelain
• Quarry and Terra Cotta

Strong or specific acids may still etch any surface

Example:  Hydrofluoric acid will etch granite

Common Acids

• Vinegar
• Ketchup, Mustard
• Juice ( most all )
• Tile and Toilet Cleaning Agents
• Coffee, Tea
• Toothpaste, Mouthwash

Rule of thumb:  If it goes into or on your body, or if it cleans bathrooms, it could be acidic

An Acid:  has a pH of less than 7