STONETECH PROFESSIONAL
Excerpts from their "Stone Care Guide" Brochure
SEALING YOUR STONE
Natural stone has been formed over millions of years but improper care can ruin nature's beauty. Although we usually think of stone as "hard", it is a porous material that can absorb spills and stains if left untreated. Sealing your stone with
a quality impregnating sealer will prevent most spills from damaging your
investment.
There is a wide variety of
sealers available, so you need to select one for your specific needs and
natural stone type. Impregnating
sealers, with new, advanced flourochemical technology, penetrate the stone and
help protect it against water and oil-based stains. Industry professionals recognize that natural stone is best
protected with a flourochemical-based sealer. We recommend sealing your new stone with StoneTech Professional TM Heavy Duty Stone Sealer formulated with the latest in flourochemical technology.
If your stone is less porous or semi-porous, then StoneTech Professional TM Heavy Duty Stone Sealer is the recommended sealer. If your stone is very porous, such as some veined granites, then StoneTech ProfessionalTM has a complete line of sealers for your natural stone. Once sealed properly, your stone is protected against
everyday dirt and spills. Proper cleaning will help the sealer last longer and keep your stone protected without damaging your stone's natural beauty.
CLEANING PROCEDURES &
RECOMMENDATIONS
Keeping your stone free of
dust and dry, sandy soil will minimize the scratches and wear-patterns that can
develop from everyday use of some natural stone, such as marble, limestone and
sandstone. Sweep or dust all
natural stone surfaces regularly to remove loose soil and dust.
Clean your natural stone on a
regular basis with warm water and a clean non-abrasive cloth, sponge or
mop. In addition, using a neutral
cleaner specially formulated for natural stone will help remove soils that
normal dusting or damp mopping leave behind. We recommend StoneTech Professional TM Revitalizer TM Stone & Tile Cleaner and Protector.
This cleaner is developed especially for natural stone and tile
care. Its unique blend of neutral
cleaning agents make it gentle on your stone while leaving behind an
impregnating protective shield every time you clean.
Do not use general
purpose cleaners or you may damage your
stone or the sealer applied.
Do not use products
that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids
as these may etch the stone surface and damage the polish.
Do not use scouring
powders or creams; these products contain
abrasives that may scratch the surface.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A SPILL
OCCURS
Etch Marks - Substances that are highly acidic, such as orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato products, mustard and many soft drinks, will "etch" most marble, limestone and travertine - whether the stone is sealed or unsealed. Although sealing allows you time to wipe up a spill, it
cannot stop the chemical reaction that may leave a dull area or etch mark in
the stone.
In addition, cleaners not
specifically designed for natural stone are not recommended. These may etch away the polish,
discolor the surface, scratch the stone or degrade the sealer. That's why selecting the correct cleaning products is so important to the lifetime beauty of your natural stone.