Cleaning & Maintenance /

Floor finish is damaged/scuffed in high traffic areas

Floor has dust, sand, or other particles on the surface. As people walk, the abrasive materials scuff the surface finish

• Regular dusting and mopping with water to remove abrasive particles
• Refinishing may be necessary
• Consider using a honed finish for high traffic areas as it shows less signs of scuffing than a polished finish

Exposure of stone to acids (fruit juice, vinegar, cosmetics, etc)

Accidental spill, spray residue, splashing

• Use coasters
• Clean spills promptly
• Blot spills, never wipe. Wiping may spread the contaminant across a larger portion of the stone
• Avoid spraying perfumes and other products over stone surfaces
• Protect stone with appropriate sealers
• Refinishing may be necessary

Use of inappropriate cleaning solutions (ones containing acids, alkalines, or solvents)

Cleaning with vinegar, lemon, bleach solutions, or other common household cleaners (Windex, pine sol)

• Bleach and other common household cleaners MUST NOT be used for cleaning
• Natural stone must be cleaned with neutral (pH7) cleaners

White sun marks

With time and UV or chemical exposure, natural stone tends to get bleached/lose its saturated colour

• Refinishing may be appropriate in some cases
• Removal of old material and replacement with a denser stone that is less susceptible to damage by acids and UV may be necessary

Oil & grease

Acetone

Ink

Acetone

Latex and Paint on the surface of the stone

Soft cleaning pad (plastic, NOT metal)

Mold/Mildew

3:1 bleach to water solution misted on surface and rinsed with water