Stonetech Professional- Stone & Tile

STONETECH
PROFESSIONAL

STONE & TILE CARE GUIDE

Congratulations!
You did it-- you made the right choice. By choosing natural stone or premium tile you made an excellent investment. You know that your new stone or tile will give you years of functionality, but what you may not know is that in order to retain its beauty, some simple, yet important maintenance is needed.

The good news is that StoneTech Professional makes caring for natural stone and tile surfaces simple. By following the simple do's and don'ts in this guide, you will extend the life-- and help preserve the value-- of your stone or tile investment.

For your convenience, this guide contains an easy-to-understand chart for you to easily find the right StoneTech Professional product.



 
An Ounce of Prevention-- Protective Sealers
The best way to prevent stains on stone is to treat it with StoneTech Professional protective sealer. Natural stone can be very porous. Sealers fill in natural pores and repel spills on the surface, giving you time to wipe them away before they have a chance to penetrate your stone. Just a few ounces of sealer can protect your stone for years.

Some sealers can enhance (darken) your stone while others retain stone's natural hue. Also, different stone types require different grades of sealer depending on what you will be using your stone for and what you want your stone to look like. The chart at the end of this booklet will aid you in your sealer selection.

As a kiln-fired product, ceramic and porcelain tile is nearly impervious to liquid. Tile grout, on the other hand, is another story. It is generally cement-based, very porous, and needs to be sealed. Penetrating sealers like StoneTech Professional Heavy Duty Sealer work best to protect grout joints against water and oil based stains.



Step Away from the Household Cleaner
Once your stone or tile is sealed with a StoneTech Professional sealer, clean up is a snap. But what should you use for everyday cleaning?

You wouldn't use a harsh, ordinary household cleaner to wash your nice car would you? Natural stone demands the same kind of attention-- it needs cleaning products that are specifically made for its unique mineral composition. For everyday cleaning, StoneTech Professional Revitalizer cleans with a gentle, p-H-neutral formula that removes soils while reinforcing the original protective seal to help prevent future staining.

General cleaners not specifically formulated for natural stone or tile are never recommended. These can breakdown the sealer, thereby removing its protective properties and making the stone and tile grout susceptible to stains.

Worse yet, many cleaning products, including those that contain lemon, vinegar, bleach or ammonia can etch away the polish, discolor the surface, or even scratch your stone. Avoid using these products. In short, if it isn't a StoneTech Professional product, it isn't good enough for your stone or tile.



Etch Marks-- Those Aren't Water Stains
While everyday messes aren't the end of the world, many common household items have the power to degrade your stone's beauty.

Etching is a result of a chemical reaction that occurs when acid comes in contact with a surface. Etch marks on stone surfaces resemble water spots or a worn polish.

Seemingly innocent items like orange juice, coffee, vinegar, wine, tomato products, mustard and many soft drinks are highly acidic and will etch, discolor, or even scratch most marble, limestone and travertine. (Acid-resistant stones like most granite, slate and sandstone will typically not etch, nor will tile).

Sealing will give you time to wipe up a spill, but it cannot stop the chemical reaction that may leave a dull mark. Remember to always use coasters and place mats on these acid-sensitive stones.



Maintenance
Keep your stone and tile looking great by following some simple precautions. The following sectioin covers some of the most common care regimens.

Kitchen & Bathroom Counters
Many household foods, beverages, and cosmetics can degrade tile grout and damage stone. Common toiletries like perfume, toothpaste and mouthwash contain acids and other ingredients that can degrade sealer or damage your stone's surface. Exercise caution with common foods and beverages like orange juice or soft drinks that also contain acids.

Whether you have stone slab or tile counters, whether your tile is stone, ceramic or porcelain, using Revitalizer will remove residues from cooking oils, everyday food spills, hairspray and other cosmetics.
 
Clean your interior stone and tile floors frequently using a clean, non-treated, dry dust mop, as abrasive particles of sand and dirt can damage natural stone surfaces. Mats or area rugs inside and outside your entrance ways will help minimize damage. Also, be careful when using a vacuum cleaner as the metal or plastic attachments and wheels can scratch the surface. Damp-mop your stone floor with a diluted solution of a StoneTech Professional stone and tile cleaner. Avoid walking on the floor until completely dry, as wet stone and tile floors tend to be slippery!

Bath and Other Wet Areas
Periodic use of StoneTech Professional Revitalizer or Stone & Tile Cleaner will remove any soap scum and hard water deposits. In the bath, or other wet areas, using a squeegee after each use can minimize these common residues.

Step-by-step application instructions are on the back label of all StoneTech Professional products. Be sure to follow them closely.

What to Do When a Spill Occurs
It usually doesn't take long for common household spills to occur as a result of cooking near, playing on, and just simply living with stone and tile. No matter how careful you are, spills are going to happen. StoneTech Professional ensures that a quick response and the right solutions keep spills from degrading the sealer or damaging your stone.

Food and Drink Spills
Quickly scoop up the food with a plastic spoon and wipe up the liquid spill with a clean, dry, white cloth. Spray the area with a StoneTech Professional stone and tile cleaner and wipe with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary.



Excreta
Pets and kids can potentially present you with the messiest stone care challenges-- urine, feces, and vomit to name a few. Needless to say, these should all be cleaned as quickly as possible to minimize damage caused by acids. Dispose of the waste, spray with Revitalizer and wipe with a clean, white cloth.

Mud
Let the mud stain dry completely. Remove dried mud with a soft plastic or nylon brush. Spray affected area with a StoneTech Professional stone and tile cleaner. Wipe dry with a clean cloth. Repeat if necessary. If the stain remains, contact a stone care professional.



Oily Stains
If you know the stain is oil-based (from foods like salad dressing, cooking oils, butter or some cosmetics), StoneTech Professional Oil Stain Remover will wick up the stain from deep within the stone.

DO's and DON'Ts
- DO use StoneTech Professional sealers to protect your stone and tile.
-DO clean up spills immediately to minimize damage to your stone and tile.
-DO use trivets or mats under hot dishes and cookware.
-DO use place mats under china, ceramics, silver and other objects that can scratch your stone's surface.
-DO dust or carefully vacuum countertops, islands, vanities and floors frequently.
-DO use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
-DO clean surfaces regularly with StoneTech Professional Revitalizer or Stone & Tile Cleaner.
-DO call StoneTech Professional for maintenance assistance.
-DON'T wait to clean up spills on stone. Clean up as quickly as possible.
-DON'T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners.
-DON'T use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general purpose cleaners.
-DON'T use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
-DON'T use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.

Passion For Stone
If after reading this guide you feel you still have questions, visit StoneTech's online knowledge vault at www.stonetechpro.com/stonecare which hosts a trove of information on how to care for just about every type of stone and tile.



While you're there, be sure to browse the site. You'll find comprehensive care instructions, do-it yourself project tips, video demonstrations, frequently asked questions, online forums by homeowners and professionals, and info on how to buy StoneTech Professional products. There's a wealth of information on the site to help you understand the world of stone and tile.

Lastly, let StoneTech know if they can help you at all. Their unsurpassed customer service staff is pleased to go the extra mile to find a solution that's right for you.

Call at 1-877-STONETECH

To learn more, be sure to visit their website:
www.stonetechpro.com