Owner Manual

Cleaning & Maintenance Do's & Don'ts
When discussing care and cleaning procedures with your maintenance staff, there are recommended do’s and
don’ts that should always be followed:
Do dust mop floors frequently.
Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap.
Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface with clean, clear water after washing.
Do blot up spills immediately.
Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters, trivets, or
placemats.
Don’t use vinegar, lemon juice, or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine, or onyx
surfaces.
Don’t use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners.
Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
Don’t mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
Don’t ever mix chemicals together unless directions specifically instruct you to do so.
Don’t use vacuum cleaners that are worn. The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch the
stone’s surface.
Sealing Natural Stone
Several factors must be considered prior to determining if the stone should be sealed:
• What is the hardness, density, and durability of the stone?
• How porous is the stone and how fast will it absorb a liquid (also referred to as the absorption coefficient)?
• Is the stone expected to be in frequent contact with a staining agent?
• What type of finish was applied to the surface? For example, a polished surface is more resistant to staining
than a honed surface.
• Will the sealant affect the color or other aesthetics of the stone?
• If a resin was applied to the stone, how will the sealant react with the resin?
• Where is the stone located (e.g. countertop, floor, wall, foyer, bathroom, etc.)? Residential or commercial?
• What type of maintenance program has the stone been subjected to? The type of stone, its finish, its
location, and how it is maintained all need to be considered when determining how to protect the stone.
In some cases it makes sense to seal the stone. Once properly sealed, the stone will be protected against
everyday dirt and spills. In other cases, it is best to leave the stone untreated. Topical sealers can alter the
surface texture and finish as well as build up on the surface, creating a layer that is less durable than the stone.
Generally, topical sealers are not recommended in exterior applications because they can trap moisture within
the top layer of the stone, which may lead to surface deterioration during freeze/thaw cycles.
* These are recommendations of The Marble Institute of America (MIA).