The natural stone you have in your home, office or commercial building is an investment that will give you many years of beautiful service. Simple care and maintenance will help preserve your stone’s beauty for generations to come. The following are daily cleaning procedures and recommendations.
Countertop Surfaces
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (available at hardware stores or from your stone dealer), or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean soft cloth for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone. Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft cloth. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.
Floor Surfaces
Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean, non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces because of their abrasiveness. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize particles that will scratch the stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface.
Normal maintenance involves periodic washing with clean, potable water and neutral (pH 7) cleaners. Soapless cleaners are preferred because they minimize streaks and film. Mild, phosphate-free, biodegradable liquid dishwashing soaps or powders or stone soaps are acceptable if rinsing is thorough.
Wet the stone surface with clean water. Using the cleaning solution (following manufacturer’s directions), wash in small, overlapping sweeps. Work from the bottom up if it is a vertical surface. Rinse thoroughly with clean, potable water to remove all traces of soap or cleaner solution. Change the water in the rinse pail frequently. Dry with a soft cloth.
Bath and Other Wet Areas
Soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove soap scum, use a non-acidic soap scum remover or a solution of ammonia and water (about ½ cup ammonia to a gallon of water). Frequent or overuse of an ammonia solution may eventually dull the surface of the stone.
Outdoor Pool and Patio Areas
In outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas, flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss.
Exterior Stone Maintenance
The large expanses of stone generally found on exterior applications may make it impractical to perform normal maintenance on a frequent basis. Large installations, however, should be given periodic overall cleaning as necessary to remove accumulated pollutants. Easily accessible stone surfaces such as steps, walkways, fountains, etc., should be kept free of debris and soiling by periodically sweeping and washing with water.
Normal maintenance should include periodic inspection of stone surfaces for structural defects, movement, deterioration or staining.
Thompson’s SteamWay follows EPA guidelines for disinfecting our tools and equipment between jobs to avoid cross contamination.
*Mention this column and receive 20% off our services, now through June 30, 2020. A minimum charge applies. QCBN
By Mark Thompson
For further advice, contact us at 776-9123. We will be glad to help. Or, visit our website at thompsonsteamway.com.
Mark Thompson is the owner of Thompson’s SteamWay, Inc. A Family Owned and Operated business in the Quad-Cities for over 27 years. We are a I.I.C.R.C. Certified, (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) Business, specializing in Carpet, Upholstery, Tile & Grout, Area Rug cleaning, Water Damage Restoration dedicated to Customer Service and Integrity! They can be reached at 928-776-9123 or Thompsonssteamway.com or Thompsonssteamway@me.com
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