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The natural stone you purchased for your
home or office is an investment that will
give you years of beautiful service. Stone
is a natural product and simple care and
maintenance will keep it looking beautiful.
This section will give you recommendations
for routine care and cleaning as well
as procedures for simple stain removal
techniques should that ever be necessary.
Care
and Precautions
Use
coasters under all glasses, particularly
those containing alcohol or citrus juices.
Many common foods and drinks contain acids
that will etch or dull the surface of
many stones.
Do
not place hot items directly on the stone
surface. Use trivets or mats under hot
dishes and placemats under china, ceramics,
silver or other objects that can scratch
the surface.
Cleaning
Procedures and Recommendations
Floor
Surfaces - Dust mop interior floors
frequently using a clean non-treated dry
dust mop. Mats or area rugs inside and
outside an entrance will help minimize
the sand, dirt and grit that will scratch
the stone floor. Be sure that the underside
of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface.
Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn.
The metal or plastic attachments or wheels
may scratch the surface.
Other
Surfaces - Clean stone surfaces with
a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone
soap or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent
and warm water. Use a clean rag mop on
floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces.
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 other calcareous stones.
Rinse the surface thoroughly after washing
with the soap solution and dry with a
soft cloth. Change the rinse water frequently.
Do not use scouring powders or creams,
these products contain abrasives that
may scratch the stone.
Kitchen
- In food preparation areas, the stone
may need to have penetrating sealer applied.
Your kitchen counters from Rocky Mountain
Stone will have nontoxic, safe for food
surface, penetrating sealer applied before
leaving the shop. This sealer should be
applied every 3- 5 years or when you notice
any water absorption on the surface of
your countertops.
Pool
and Patio - In outdoor pool, patio
or hot tub areas, flush with clear water
and use mild bleach solution to remove
algae and moss.
Spills
Blot
the spill with a paper towel immediately.
Don't wipe the area, it will spread the
spill. Flush the area with plain water
and mild soap and rinse several times.
Dry the area thoroughly with a soft cloth
and repeat as necessary.
Stains
Surface
stains can often be removed by cleaning
with an appropriate cleaning product or
household chemical. If you notice deep-seated
or stubborn stains, please call Rocky
Mountain Stone for help.
Oil-based
(grease, tar, cooking oil, milk, cosmetics)
- Clean gently with a soft, liquid cleanser
with bleach, a household detergent, ammonia,
mineral spirits or acetone.
Organic
(coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco, paper, food,
urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings) -Outdoors,
with the sources removed, normal sun and
rain action will generally bleach out
the stains. Indoors, clean with 12% hydrogen
peroxide (hair bleaching strength) and
a few drops of ammonia.
Metal
(iron, rust, copper, bronze) - Metal stains
must be removed with a poultice. Deep-seated,
rusty stains are extremely difficult to
remove and the stone may be permanently
stained.
Biological
(algae, mildew, lichens, moss, fungi)
- In a gallon of water dilute 1/2 cup
of ammonia, bleach OR hydrogen peroxide. Do not mix bleach and ammonia - this
combination creates toxic and lethal gas!
Ink
(magic marker, pen, ink) - Clean with
bleach or hydrogen peroxide (light colored
stone only) or lacquer thinner or acetone
(dark stones only).
Paint
- Small amounts can be removed with lacquer
thinner or scraped off carefully with
a razor blade. Heavy paint coverage should
be removed with a commercial "heavy
liquid" stripper. Do not use acids
or flame tools to strip from stone. Paint
strippers can etch the surface of the
stone, so repolishing may be necessary.
Water
Spots - Buff with dry 0000 steel wool.
Scratches
and Nicks - Slight surface scratches may
be buffed with a dry 0000 steel wool.
Deeper scratches should be repaired and
repolished by Rocky Mountain Stone.
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