Care and Cleaning of Natural Stone

Care and Cleaning of Natural Stone
Benefits of Natural Stone

• Beautiful
• Easy Care
• Durable
• Non Toxic
• Sustainable
• Natural
• Unique
• Long Life Cycle

Get to know your stone
The first step in proper stone care and maintenance is to understand your stone’s geological classification and composition. It will help you to identify what cleaning products to use and the best wayto care for your natural stone.
Stone Colors and Appearance
Natural Stone is quarried throughout the world in a variety colors with varying mineral compositions. You may consult with a stone expert to know better of your stone at home. In most cases, the type of natural stone can be identified by visible particles on the surface of the stone, for example;

• Marbles are traditionally valued for their aesthetic appeal. Some are accentuated by their distinct veining trends and bold colors. Serpentines and onyxes are often known as part of the marble family.
• Granite typically exhibit small flecks or grains of minerals uniformly distributed throughout the stone. Some “unusual granites” will have veining patterns similarly to marbles.
• Sandstonesvaries widely in color due to different minerals and clays found in the stone. Sandstone is typically light gray to yellow or red. Bluestone and brownstone are well known variations of this stone group.
• Limestone and Travertine are widely used asbuilding stones with colors typically light gray, tan of buff. A distinguished characteristic of a limestone is the presence of fossils that are frequently visible on the stone surface.
• Slate is dark green, black, gray, dark red or multicolored. It is most commonly used as for flooringand roof tiles and is often distinguished by its distinct cleft texture.
• Soapstone may come in a wide range of colors and generally has asmooth feel to the touch.Due to its high resistance to chemicals and its ability to absorb and distribute heat, it is an ideal material for countertops, fireplace and wood stove surrounds.

Easy Care Tips
Follow these simple tips to increase life expectancy and preserve the beauty of your natural stone.
Coasters: Use coasters under all glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juice.
Trivets: While many stones can withstand heat, the use of trivets or mats arerecommended.
Dust Mopping: Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit are abrasive and can damage natural stone.
Mats/rugs: Mats and rugs insideoroutside an entrance help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that may scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a slip resistant surface.
Vacuum cleaners:Make sure the metal or plastic attachments or the wheels are not worn as they scratch the surface of some stones.
Spills: Blot the spill with a paper towel immediately. Don’t wipe the area, it will spread the spill. Clean the area with water and mild soap and rinsefor several times. Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth. Repeat whennecessary.

Cleaning:

• Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner, stone soap, or a mild dishwashing liquid detergent and warm water.
• Similarly, to any item cleaned in your home, an excessive concentration of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Follow manufacturer recommendations.
• Use a clean rag mop on the floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results.
• Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth.
• Change the rinsingwater frequently.
• In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum 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 ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of some stone types.
• Foroutdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas, clean with clear water and use mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.

Cleaning Products:
Massimo Piraccini Treatment is introduced with several specifications such as:

• VRX, anti-dirt finish with light antiacid protection for polished, brushed, naturally split surfaces.

Instruction to use:

• ApplyVRXevenlywith a microfiber cloth and allow to dry. The application of 2/3 coating is recommended for a stronger protection. Application should be done hourly.
• MGP SMOG, detergent for removing smog and atmospheric dirt. Recommended for dissolving and removing carbondioxide and smog deposits from rough and polished stones, marbles and granite surfaces.

Instruction to use:

• Dilute 1 literMPG SMOG in 4-5-liter water.
• Directly apply the diluted product onto the surface.
• Wait about 10 minutes.
• Brush using a floor brush and rinse with a water-jet machine.
• MGP 24, universal detergent with pleasant fragrance. Suitable for floors, coatings, table and kitchen countertops of polished marble, granite and natural stone.

Instruction to use:

• Dilute 1 literMGP 24 in 20-25-liter water.
• Apply the dilutedliquidwith a floor-mop or cloth.
• Scrubuntil the surface is cleaned.
• Allow to dry before walking on it.
• SAFE MARBLE, protective anti acid treatment for marble. It protects marble surfacefrom common food substances such aslemons, fruit juices, soft drinks, soaps and perfumes.

Instruction to use:

• Take SAFE MARBLE and pour it into SAFE SOLVENT, mix, pour into the container that composes the Kit and dip the roller provided evenly to make it wet.
• DO NOT pour all theliquidinto the container. A small quantity is needed for best result as the roller would absorb the liquid effectively.
• Spread out the product evenly on a very dry surface with little pressure on the roller.
• Allow the surface to dryformore than 2/3 hours.
• MPJ K BACTERIOSTATIC, treatment for marble and granite, agglomerates with bacteriostatic silver ions activity. It maintains the treated surface clean and hygiene, with an active action against fungus, bacteria and mold.

Instruction to use:

• Pour MPJ K directly onto the clean and dry surface, apply evenly with circular movements.
• Allow it to dry.

Sealing
Sealing is a common step taken on some stones as an extra precaution against staining. In fact, the sealing products used in the stone industry are “impregnators’ which do not actually seal the stone, but moreappropriatelyact as a repellent rather than a sealer. Sealing does not make the stone stain proof, rather it makes the stone more stain resistant.
When consulting with ourstone supplier, you may find that many stones do not require sealing. However, applying an impregnating sealer is a common practice.
If a sealer is applied in a food preparation area, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use.

Stain Identification Tips
Identifying the type of stain on the stone surface is the key to remove it. Stains can be oil based, organic, metallic, biological, ink based, paint based, acid based.Here are some questions you may consider when you don’t know what causes the stain:
Where is the Stain Located?

• Is it near a plant, a food service area oran area where cosmetics are used?
• What color is it?
• What is the shape or pattern?
• What occurs in the area around the stain?

Stain Removal Steps
Surface stains can often be removed by cleaning with an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical.
What type of stain is it?

• Oil-based(grease, plumbers’ putty, tar, cooking oil, milk, cosmetics)

An oil-based stain will darken the stone and needed to be chemically dissolved for the stain to be flushed or rinsed away. Clean gently with a soft, liquid cleanser with one of the following: household detergent, mineral spirits, or acetone.

• Organic(coffee, tea, wine, fruit, tobacco, paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings)

May cause a pinkish-brown stain and may disappear after the source of the stain has been removed. In the outdoors, once the stain is removed, sunlight or rain may bleach out the stains. In the indoors, stains can be cleaned with 12% hydrogen peroxide (hair bleaching strength) and a few drops of ammonia.

• Metal(iron, rust, copper, bronze)

Iron or rust stains are orange to brown in color and theyfollow the shape of the staining object such as nails, bolts, screws, cans, flower pots, metal furniture. Copper and bronze stains appear as green or muddy-brown and they are the result from the action of moisture on nearby or embedded bronze, copper or brass items. Metal stains must be removed with a poultice. (see website on Using a poultice – www.marble-institute.com/poultice) Deep-seated, rusty stain are extremely difficult to remove and the stone may be permanently stained.

• Biological(algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi)

Clean with diluted cleaning solution. Use a ½ cup of any of the following; ammonia, bleach or hydrogen peroxide and a gallon of water. Reminder: Do not mix bleach and ammonia.

• Ink(magic, marker, pen, ink)

On light colored stones, clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. On dark colored stones, clean with lacquer thinner or acetone.

• Paint

Small amounts can be removed with lacquer thinner or scrapped off carefully with a razor blade. Heavy paint exposure should be removed only with a commercial “heavy liquid” paint stripper available from hardware stores and paint centers. These strippers normally contain caustic soda or lye.
Do not use acids or flame tools to strip paint from stone. Paint strippers can scratch the surface of the stone: re-polish may be necessary.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions when usingthese products, and cleanthe area thoroughly with clean water. Protect yourself with rubber gloves and eye protection, and work in a well-ventilated area. Use only wood or plastic scrappers when removing the sludge and curdled paint.

• Water Spots and Rings(surface accumulation of hard water)

Buff with fry 0000 steel wool

• Fire and Smoke Damage

Older stones and smoke or fire stained fireplaces may require a thorough cleaning. When the smoke is removed, there may also be some etching (due to carbonic & other acids in smoke). Commercially available “smoke removers” may save time and effort.

• Etch Marks(caused by acids left on the surface of the stone)

Some materials will etch the finishing but do not leave a stain. Others will both etch and stain. Contact your stone dealer or call a professional stone restorer or re-finishing or re-polishing etched areas.

• Efflorescence (a white powder that may appear on the surface of the stone)

It is caused by the deposition of mineral salts carried by water from below the surface of the stone. When the water evaporates, it leaves the powdery substance. If the installation is new, dust mop or vacuum the powder.
You may have to do this several times until the stone dries out. Do not use water to remove the powder, it will only temporarily disappear. If the problem persists, contact your installer to help identify and remove the cause of the moisture.

• Scratches and Nicks

Slight surface scratches may be buffed with dry 0000 steel wool. Deeper scratches and nicks on the surface of   the stone should be repaired and re-polished by a professional.
Using a Poultice
Go to www.marble-institute.com/poultice for more information, or call a stone professional (recommended).

Easy to Clean and Maintain!
Call your professional stone supplier, installer or a restoration specialist for complications that appear too difficult to handle at +603 7832 1126 / +6017 570 1176