Having the best hard surfaces in your home requires special care to maintain and preserve them. Though not very difficult it is important to use the right cleaning agents and procedures. Here are some tips for tile and stone.
Floors
When cleaning floors the cleaning tool itself can be as important as the cleaning agent. On any type of hard surface floor I recommend the Hoover Floormate. This works well on marble, granite, ceramic and even wood floors. It has a water tank, vacuum and scrubbing brushes to help remove stubborn soil. This machine will leave the surface dry and streak free when using the correct cleaning agent. The Floormate keeps the water and soils from pooling in the grout lines. All of my Client's that use this machine love it! If you are not in the market for this I recommend a loop-end cotton mop for material with small grout lines. You may want to follow up with a clean towel to dry the floor quicker. For ceramic tile or natural stone with larger grout lines I would use a sponge mop followed up with a dry towel on a doodle pad or swifter pole/pad holder. Using a Hoover Floormate will eliminate the need for mops and toweling the floor dry. For ceramic floors I use Stonetech Revitalizer or Stone Care International Tile & Grout cleaner. Both will help maintain the sealer and help keep the floors streak free. Water may leave streaks on the floor and won't cut through dirt and grease. Try to use the products I recommend. Do not use: Vinegar, ammonia, bleach, toilet bowl cleaner, or other harsh chemicals. These can remove the sealer and DAMAGE Natural Stone.
Kitchen Counter Tops
Most natural stone counter tops are made out of granite. If you have a marble counter top it will be difficult to keep the high gloss finish, unless you don't use it. Even though Granite is a very hard and durable stone, you still need to be careful how you clean it. Stay away from aggressive pads that are green or brown in color. These can eventually wear down the finish and shine. Stick with a sponge that has a white pad on it or a soft plastic scouring pad. Apply the cleaning solution onto the surface. Let it soak for a few minutes. Than follow with the sponge or pad and clean. Buff dry with a clean towel. I recommend MB-5 by MB Stone or Clean Encounters by Stone Care International for cleaning the kitchen counters. MB-13 is a good Polished Stone Dressing for counter top too. This will had some extra shine
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Vanities
Most natural stone vanities are marble thus not having the durability of granite. Once again I recommend the MB-5 to maintain the surfaces. The MB-13 helps to give it the extra shine. Please stay away from some of the soap scum removers or soft scrub you get from the store. These products can etch the natural stone. They may work well on ceramic, but not natural stone. Use the sponge, soft pads, and towel to clean the surface with the products.
Shower Stalls
Clean the showers daily using only a squeegee. Preferable one with a squeegee blade on one side and sponge/pad on the other. At a bare minimum, squeegee down the walls after the shower. This will help keep soap scum residue from forming. MB-5 with the light scrub pad and squeegee will keep the showers looking nice. If you start to get soap scum build up use MB-3 Soap Film Remover by MB Stone. This works well if the wall hasn't reached "restoration" state. After cleaning buff dry with a towel. Stay away from harsh chemicals and the Scrubbing Cleansers. These will damage most natural stone. Also, Magic Eraser by Mr. Clean works well on glass and stainless steel in the shower and bath areas.
Sealers
Most natural stone should be sealed right after installation. Even though some stones are more resistant to damage, sealing will provide extra protection. Most natural stones and grout need to be sealed. These have a tendency to stain easier. Have a professional evaluate the protection and cleaning needs of your hard surfaces. In many cases, professional cleaning and simple sealing is needed in the place of restoration. Once again, if you have your new hard surfaces sealed right after installation, follow a good, safe maintenance plan-your hard surfaces-manmade or natural- will stay looking better longer.
Please give Grout Professionals a call today at (612) 486-6262 or click here to request a quote online and we will give you a FREE, no-obligation inspection and price quote on new installation sealing. We look forward to hearing from you.
