Fox Marble & Granite - Stone Care Information

www.fox-marble.com

1315 Armstrong Ave. - San Francisco, CA 94124

(415) 671-1149 phone - (415) 671-1155 fax

Stone Care Information

General Information:

Granite: Granite is a very durable material, able to resist scratching, burning, or chipping in all but the most extreme circumstances. We apply a protective penetrating sealer to the granite before it leaves our shop, which reduces its natural porosity. The sealer will help prevent staining of the material. Staining usually occurs when colored liquids or oils are left on the stone surface for an extended period of time. Wiping the counters with water or soapy water after use will prevent most stains. Yearly applications of penetrating sealers are recommended on most countertops to protect your investment. Re-application of sealer is very simple, and does not normally require professional assistance.

Marble & Limestone: Marble and Limestone durable materials, but they are softer than granite. Because of this, additional care must be taken to maintain the original luster. Pure water (pH neutral) or pure water with a mild soap (Ivory) is best for cleaning marble. Because of its chemical nature, acids will react with marble, etching the surface. Common items to be careful with are citrus fruits and juices, coke, coffee, & detergents. Always use a coaster under your glass. Yearly applications of sealer are also recommended which do not normally require professional assistance. If you plan on heavy use of the marble surface, it can also be waxed. Use of abrasive cleansers (such as Comet) should be avoided.

Engineered Stone: Engineered Stone consists of mostly natural quartz aggregates along with color pigments and polyester resins. Avoid any highly aggressive cleaning agents. Most multi-purpose cleaners can be used. Engineered stone is very durable with consistent patterning and colorization throughout.

Cleaning:

Food Preparation Areas: Penetrating sealer should be applied annually

Vanity Tops: Penetrating sealer and a quality marble wax should be applied to minimize staining and water spotting.

Bath and Wet Areas: To minimize soap scum, use a squeegee after each use. A non-acidic soap scum remover or a water and ammonia solution (1/2 cup ammonia to one gallon of water) are suitable for cleaning soap scum. Using too much ammonia will eventually dull the surface.

Floor Surfaces: Dust mop interior floors using a clean, non-treated dry dust mop. Abrasives like grit, sand, and dirt do the most damage to natural stone. To minimize the grit, sand, and dirt, we recommend the use of area rugs or mats with a non-slip bottom. From the front door of a home, it takes an average of eight steps to get all of the grit, sand, and dirt off shoes. Old vacuums with metal or plastic attachments may scratch stone surfaces and are not recommended.

Other Surfaces: To clean a stone surface, use a few drops of natural cleaner, stone soap (available at most hardware stores) or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent with warm water. Use soft, clean rags or rug mops for best results. Do not use cleaning products, which contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble, limestone, or other calcareous stones. Rinse the surface thoroughly, being careful not to use too much soap (which may leave film or streak marks). Change rinse water frequently and do not use abrasive scouring products that my dull the surface of the stone.

Outdoor Patio and Pool Areas: Flush with clear water and use mild bleach solution in order to remove moss and algae.

Dos and Don'ts:

*Do dust mop floors frequently

*Do clean surfaces with mild detergent or stone soap

*Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing

*Do blot up spills immediately

*Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and countertop surfaces with coasters trivets or placemats

*Don't use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces

*Don't use cleaners the contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners

*Don't us abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers

*Don't mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas

Recommended Sealers:

We recommend sealing your stone periodically
depending on usage. Generally once a year is recommended. Light usage areas will require less frequent sealing. If your stone starts to absorb water, let the stone dry and seal as soon as possible. These are recommended (Stonetech Impregnator Pro, Miraseal 511 Porous Plus, ProSoCo Standoff SLX 100 & HMK S34). They are available at:

Keystone (Formerly Stone Boss Industries)
1455 Donner Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 822-2577

Your local hardware store will also carry a variety of sealers and cleaning products for stone applications.