Use and Care Manual

Developed by Nature Porfido
12 in. x 24 in. tile shown in herringbone 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
trac 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 eectively 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 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
bung 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.