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Cleaning
Stone Countertops and Wall Surfaces
- Clean surface daily.
- Gently remove any loose debris from the surface.
- Simply spray Westwood Stone Spray Cleaner or other Neutral
Cleaner on to the surface and allow to sit for a few minutes.
- Wipe dry and buff to a shine with a dry cloth.
Care and Precautions
- Do not leave food or oil/grease on countertops.
- 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 some stones.
- Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface,
as they will not damage the stone, but will cause the factory
applied sealer to lose some effectiveness.
- Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under
china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch
the surface.
- Consider having your stone resealed if it appears to darken
after cleaning or is absorbing water. (Back
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Stone
Floor Areas
Cleaning Stone Floors
- Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated
dry dust mop.
- Mix Supershine-All or other neutral cleaner with recommended
dilution of water.
- Using a clean mop, apply Supershine-All to the surface
and let it dry. Rinsing is not required. (Back
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Polished
Marble, Onyx and Granite (special note)
Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to
natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or
area rugs inside and outside entrance will help to 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. Normally, it will take a person about eight steps
on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom
of their shoes.
Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn.
The metal or plastic attachments or the wheels may scratch
the surface. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and
cause streaks. In the bath or 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 1/2 cup ammonia to a gallon of
water). Frequent or over-use of an ammonia solution may eventually
dull the surface of the stone. (Back to top)
Spills
and Stains
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. Repeat as necessary.
Stain Removal
Identifying the type of stain on the stone
surface is the key to removing it. If you don't know what
caused the stain, play detective. Where is the stain located?
Is it near a plant, a food service area, an area where cosmetics
are used? What color is it? What is the shape or pattern?
What goes on in the area around the stain?
Surface stains can often be removed by cleaning
with an appropriate cleaning product or household chemical.
Deep-seated or stubborn stains may require using a poultice
or calling in a professional. The following sections describe
the types of stains that you may have to deal with and appropriate
household chemicals to use.
Types of Stains and First Step Cleaning
Actions
Oil-based (grease, tar, cooking oil,
milk, cosmetics)
An oil-based stain will darken the stone and normally
must be chemically dissolved so the source of the stain can
be flushed or rinsed away. Clean gently with a soft, liquid
cleanser with bleach OR household detergent OR ammonia OR
mineral spirits OR acetone.
Organic (coffee, tea, fruit, tobacco,
paper, food, urine, leaves, bark, bird droppings)
May cause a pinkish-brown stain and may disappear after the
source of the stain has been removed. Outdoors, with the sources
removed, normal sun and rain action will generally bleach
out the stains. Indoors, clean with 12% hydrogen peroxide
(hair bleaching solution) and a few drops of ammonia.
Metal (iron, rust, copper, bronze)
Iron or rust stains are orange to brown in color and follow
the shape of the staining object such as nails, bolts, screws,
cans, flower pots, metal furniture. Copper and bronze stains
appear as green or muddy-brown and result from the action
of moisture on nearby or embedded bronze, copper or brass
items. 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)
Clean with dilute (1/2 cup in a gallon of water) ammonia OR
bleach OR hydrogen peroxide. DO NOT MIX BLEACH AND AMMONIA!
THIS COMBINATION CREATES A LETHAL GAS!
Stains – Oil-Based, Organic,
Iron, Copper, Biological
Various poultices can be used for these stains
and are best determined and handled by a professional.
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 only with a commercial "heavy liquid"
paint stripper available from hardware stores and paint centers.
These strippers normally contain caustic soda or lye. Do not
use acids or flame tools to strip paint from stone. Paint
strippers can etch the surface of the stone; repolishing may
be necessary. Follow the manufacturer's directions for use
of these products, taking care to flush the area thoroughly
with clean water. Protect yourself with rubber gloves and
eye protection, and work in a well ventilated area. Use only
wood or plastic scrapers for removing sludge and curdled paint.
Normally, latex and acrylic paints will not cause staining.
Oil-based paints, linseed oil, putty, caulks and sealants
may cause oily stains.
Water Spots and Rings (surface accumulation
of hard water)
Buff with dry 0000 steel wool. Fire and Smoke Damage Older
stones and smoke or fire-stained fireplaces may require a
through cleaning to restore their original appearance. Commercially
available "smoke removers" may save time and effort.
Etch Marks
Etch marks are caused by acids left on the surface of the
stone. Some materials will etch the finish but not leave a
stain. Others will both etch and stain. Once the stain has
been removed, wet the surface with clear water and sprinkle
on marble polishing powder, available from a hardware or lapidary
store, or your local stone dealer. Rub the powder onto the
stone with a damp cloth or by using a buffing pad with a low
speed power drill. Continue buffing until the etch mark disappears
and the marble surface shines. Contact your stone dealer or
call a professional stone restorer for refinishing or repolishing
etched areas that you cannot remove.
Efflorescence
This is a white powder that may appear on the surface of the
stone. It is caused by water carrying mineral salts from below
the surface of the stone rising through the stone and evaporating.
When the water evaporates, it leaves the powdery substance.
If the installation is new, dust mop or vacuum the powder.
You may have to do this several times as the stone dries out.
Do not use water to remove the powder; it will only temporarily
disappear. If the problem persists, contact your installer
to help identify and remove the cause of moisture.
Scratches and Nicks
Slight surface scratches may be buffed with dry 0000 steel
wool. Deeper scratches and nicks in the surface of the stone
should be repaired and repolished by a professional. (Back
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Ceramic
Tile Surfaces
Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors
- Simply mix Supershine-All or other neutral cleaner with
recommended dilution of water.
- Using a clean mop, apply the Supershine-All to the surface
and let it dry.
- Rinsing is not required.
- Most carpet cleaning companies now offer ceramic tile
floor cleaning that will leave the tile and grout like new.
Call us for a recommendation.
Cleaning Ceramic Tile Countertops
and Wall Surfaces
- Simply spray Westwood Stone Spray Cleaner or other neutral
cleaner on to the surface and wipe clean.
- For soap scum or mildew, any non abrasive tile cleaner
can be used.
- For heavier cleaning, products such as Soft Scrub can
be used, but only on matte finish (not shiny) tile. (Back
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