Use and Care Manual
Prologue Delicate Gray Mosaic tile shown in grid pattern
and Superior White 12 in. x 18 in. tile shown in brick pattern
Dal-Tile Corporation
TILE CARE &
MAINTENANCE
CARE & MAINTENANCE GUIDE PAGE 3 OF 6
NATURAL STONE
continued)
Once the stone has been cleaned, you can periodically
apply a spray-bu wax-type floor finish to enhance
the beauty and luster of polished stone (including
countertops). Apply the finish with a spray applicator
and bu immediately with a white nylon pad. Reapply
as often as needed, depending on volume of surface
trac and consistency of routine maintenance
program. This product is not designed to restore the
original shine, but is intended to maintain and protect
the original shine.
Heavy-Duty Stone Cleaning
When some areas have been neglected, you will
need to use a heavy-duty non-hazardous and non-
polluting stone cleaner and degreaser to eectively
remove dirt, grease, grime, waxes and floor finishes.
An optimal heavy-duty cleaner should contain low
percentages of VOCs. These cleaning products are
concentrated and designed to deep clean the stone
without damaging it.
Apply the solution of the cleaner and water mixed to
manufacturer’s instructions to the stone surface with
a sponge or mop. Allow setting for the manufacturer’s
specified amount of time. Agitate with a sponge,
synthetic mop, and soft bristle brush or through the
use of a floor scrubbing machine.
Mop up dirty
solution and bu dry. Be sure to change
out the cleaning solution every 100 square feet to
avoid reintroducing dirty water during the cleaning
process. Rinse thoroughly with clean water when
finished. After cleaning you may apply the spray-bu
wax-type floor finish to enhance the natural shine.
Stain Removal
Stone poultice will remove stains and grout haze
from stone. Poultice is a fine, nonacidic, absorptive
clay cleaning powder that removes deep-set oil
stains, grease and light cementitious grout haze from
polished and unpolished Natural Stone.
CAUTION: Poultice may dull the shine of the polished
stone. If this occurs you will need to use a marble
polish to restore the natural shine.
Restoration
If a marble finish has become dull, scratched or
etched, you can restore the natural shine through
the use of a marble polish. Some marble polishes
are available in kits. The process can be enhanced
with the use of floor bung machines. The process is
generally a re-crystallization process to remove fine
scratches and restore the original shine and polish to
the stone. This is not an application of a topical sealer
or wax to cover-up damaged or worn surfaces.
NATURAL STONE NEW INSTALLATIONS
Sealing is strongly recommended for newly installed
marble and other Natural Stone to provide maximum
below surface stain protection. Immediately after
Natural Stone has been installed and grouted, the new
installation should be covered with brown paper to
protect it from debris during the remaining construction
process. The protective brown paper should remain in
place until construction is completed and the area is
opened to intended (post-construction) use.
Pre-Grout Sealing
A non-sanded grout is strongly recommended for
Natural Stone installations due to the narrow grout
joints customarily preferred. This type of grout has
very fine particles of cement, polymers and color
pigments that can penetrate the microscopic pores
of the stone surface where they become trapped and
appear as a stain in the stone. Therefore, all travertine,
slate, tumbled stone and honed/flamed/unpolished
granite should be sealed prior to the grouting process
to protect them from staining. The application of a
good quality sealer should be used as a grout sealer
and applied again as the final sealing process once the
installation is finished.