Natural Stone is the most beautiful material to use in all areas of your home. May it be marble, granite, travertine, limestone, slates, quartzites, basalts, soapstones and sandstones, these wonderful creations of nature, if well taken care of will last for generations. Once you have installed your natural stone in any part of your home, it is good to know the do’s and don’ts in the maintenance. Here are recommendations in the cleaning, sealing and maintenance for all natural stones.
After installation: the floor should be washed and cleaned thoroughly, with a machine with brushes, to get all the loose dust out of crevasses and the cleft. It is advisable to use a Non-acidic cleaner for better results. We recommend that the material should then be sealed with a silicone impregnator. This will make the material impervious and protect against any staining or spotting. Follow the instructions recommended by the manufacturer for the sealer, application; please comply with manufacturer’s recommendations (process and number of coats).
Cleaning should be done on regular basis with a Neutral Cleaner OR with a mild hand soap & water. DO NOT use strong detergents or chlorinated products for regular cleaning. Strong detergents will affect the grout, and joints will come apart very quickly. These will also affect the life of the impregnator and the stone.
Due to the nature of the cleft material there is a tendency for dust and dirt to accumulate along the bottom of the cleft. To clean these deposits, we recommend that occasionally the floor should be washed clean with a machine with brush, using compounds recommended for cleaning of floors. Subsequently, resealing of floors may be necessary. It is recommended that the floor is thoroughly cleaned and resealed at least once every 18-24 months. This will keep the floor looking fresh, clean and extend the life of the product.
Polished slate: after the installation and cleaning of the floor, you may use a water based polyurethane sealer, matte finish-not glossy (product typically used on wood floors). Do not use any oil base sealer. This will help protect the floor and any possible spalling.
Cladding. In the case of cladding, with natural cleft surfaces, the initial cleaning and sealing process is the same as that for floors. Since cladding does not have the same wear as floors, we do not anticipate the need to reseal the surface as frequently. We recommend that for all sealing and resealing applications and frequencies, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Initial protection and regular maintenance will enhance the stone and your allow you to enjoy your investment for years!
