Care and Maintenance

Q.Four years ago I had a saltillo floor installed in my kitchen. The tiles were not presealed. The kitchen design company and I sought advice from the tile company that supplied them as to how to install and seal them. Both are highly regarded... Read More

Q. Is there any way to bring back the shine of dull spots on polished travertine? The cat threw up and we didn't discover it until the next morning. Then our son sprayed some floor cleaner on it and didn't get it all up so there are dull... Read More

Q. What is the best cleaner to use on limestone floors? The floors in my bathroom are starting to look very dirty, with grayish marks and spots all over.A. It sounds like your floors have been etched -- probably by using an acid based cleaner. Many... Read More

Q. When will I know if it is time to re-seal my granite?A. To find out if your granite or other natural stone is still adequately sealed, spill some water on it and wait for approximately half an hour, then wipe it dry. If the surface of the stone... Read More

Q. I know that I can use mineral oil on my soapstone to age or give a nice patina to my soapstone, but how do I remove the excess mineral oil from the surface of the stone? A. To remove excess mineral oil from soapstone, you could use denatured... Read More

Q. How do I care for my newly installed floors?   A. The best thing to have done to a brand-new polished stone floor is a detailing job by a properly trained janitor, or a professional stone refinisher. Detailing means deep-cleaning every square... Read More

Q. I just had my floors refinished, how do I maintain them?   A. There are several things you want to avoid when maintaining your floors, as well as some of the best practices for floor maintenance:    Don't use stone soap. Don't damp... Read More

Q. How do I preserve my stone floor’s finish?   A. The number one thing you can do to preserve the finish of your natural stone is to keep dust, dirt, and grit from accumulating on your floor. These abrasive substances create small scratches... Read More

Q. Will the cold cause my stone to crack, or is there some way to treat it to prevent this? A. Being natural, no two stones are going to have the exact same characteristics. That being said, freezing temperatures alone do not affect stone. What... Read More

Q. Is granite sensitive to acids? A. Unlike marble, granite is not a calcite based stone and is not generally vulnerable to acids. However, some stones, even though they are marketed as granite, may in fact have calcium in their makeup. Furthermore,... Read More