STONE CARE
101
Origin of Natural Stone
Natural stone is a creation of nature. Like so many
natural formations, every piece is unique and matchless.
Within each piece of stone also lies the history of one
particular place on our planet. Today’s limestone floor
for instance, was once a mass of tiny sea creatures,
then an ancient seabed, and after millions of years of
uplift, a mountainside where the limestone was
discovered in our day.
Your natural stone was cut out from a mountainside
originally in huge 50,000 pound blocks of stone. The
blocks were then sliced into slabs which were then
refined to give its natural colors a mirror like depth,
smooth soft surface or left slightly rough to enhance
its rich natural texture.
The luster,
hardness,
colors and variation are all indications of the
stone's
mineral composition and origin. This unique blend of
characteristics is what makes your natural stone a
one-of-a-kind, beautiful yet practical surface for your
home.
Stone is Absorbent
Although we usually think of stone as "hard," it is a
porous material. Natural stone has varying degrees of
porosity depending on the type of stone. If left
unsealed, spills and everyday messes can easily
penetrate the surface. The liquid eventually evaporates
but the stain is left behind.
Highly acidic substances such as orange juice, coffee
and wine will also etch
acid sensitive stones and leave a dull mark. Acid
resistant stones such as most granite, slate and
sandstone will not etch.
Benefits of Protecting Stone
The best way to prevent stains is to treat the
surface with a protective sealer. The sealer fills in
the pores and repels spills on the surface, allowing you
time to completely wipe it away.
Fluorochemical technology is the most advanced
technology available, providing the ultimate shield
against both water and oil-base stains. The
micro-molecular formula actually bonds with the stone
surface to deliver unsurpassed wear resistance and
durability. And because the sealer reacts with the
stone, you no longer have to worry about its porosity.
It works on all types of stone, from ultra-porous
Juparana Columbo to super-dense Absolute Black.
There are also sealers available with
antimicrobial product protection. They not only
protect the surface from stains, but also resist growth
of mold and mildew on the dried sealer.
Stone Needs Specialty Cleaners
Like any other surface in your home, natural stone
also needs to be cleaned to maintain its beauty.
However, natural stone requires cleaning products
specifically designed for stone's unique mineral
composition.
Most popular general-purpose cleaners will etch or
damage the stone or degrade the sealer, therefore
removing protective properties and becoming susceptible
to stains. Cleaning products containing too much acids
or alkalines will etch the stone. Scouring powders and
abrasives will scratch the surface.
Proper Cleaning
Maintenance cleaning with a pH-balanced, neutral
cleaner such as
a Cleaner and Protector will help remove
soils that normal dusting or damp mopping leave behind.
It also helps keep your stone free of dust and dry,
sandy soil to minimize wear patterns from everyday use
on some softer stones. Specially designed cleaners for
stone will also never break down the protective sealer.
In fact, some cleaners contain protective properties
which reinforce the sealer and prolong stain resistance.
For heavier cleaning jobs, using cleaners formulated
for stone will effectively remove tough grime and
messes yet be gentle on the surface.
Resources
Protective sealers will provide the best defense
against everyday stains and specially formulated
cleaners will safely remove spills and messes. You can
rest assure that your stone will stay looking beautiful
with these simple stone care solutions.
