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 that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners
DON'T Use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers
DON'T Mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas
DON'T Ever mix chemicals together unless directions specifically instruct you to do so

STONE CLEANING and CARE

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 many stones. Do not place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.

Floor Surfaces

Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an 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.

Other Surfaces

Clean stone surfaces with few drops of neutral stone soap cleaner. Black Diamond products are available at Ace Hardware store in Palm Desert. Use a clean cotton blend string mop on floors for best results. Too much cleaner or soaps may leave a film and cause streaks. Black Diamond products are “No Rinse”. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or Limestone. Change the rinse bucket water frequently. Do not use scouring powders or creams. These products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface.

Bath and other wet areas

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.

Glass Shower Doors

Simple Cleaning Solution

Diamon-Fusion

Vanity top surfaces and food preparation areas

Black Diamond- Granite marble counter cleaner. Spray and wipe with a dry soft cloth.

Technical Information: Maintenance & Sealers

Maintenance of Commercial & Residential Floors All unsealed stone or masonry products are porous and subject to surface wear and staining if not properly sealed and maintained. With proper sealing and ongoing maintenance of your grout, stone or non-glazed tile will be more likely to have a long lasting, beautiful and durable appearance. We at Tilecare will provide you with maintenance tips and procedures to help you achieve the best results. Is sealing necessary? The answer is yes. On many applications such as Floors, Counters, and Showers, sealing is a priority. For other applications, sealing is not as important but it should still be done. Water is a natural eroder. When stone is placed in a shower or when stone is installed in the Exterior and is subject to water it will erode and damage over a shorter period of time if not sealed and cared for properly. How often do you need to seal? There are many variety of sealers with different expected wears. We use only premium quality sealers to get best results. We will help guide you to determine when you're ready to reseal. Floors - Pavers Rich in character with rustic charm, untreated Saltillo, Terra Cotta and Adobe Tiles are very porous and subject to surface wear and staining if not properly sealed and maintained. These surfaces vary in size, color, flatness and have imperfections which add to the character of the hand made clay tile. A practical maintenance program will help ensure a lifetime of beauty. We can show you how to protect and maintain your pavers. Sealers There are many variety of sealers to protect your pavers. We will make recommendations based on your desired look. We will also discuss with you the maintenance needed and the expected wear of the sealer of your choice.