Sue's Helpful Hints!

HOW TO CARE FOR NATURAL STONE COUNTERTOPS:Are you safely cleaning your stone surfaces? Did you know that the beautiful colors of your stone could fade if you use an improper cleaning product? These colors in your stone are minerals which can be very sensitive to cleaning products not intended for their use. You have invested lots of money in your stone surface, so safe cleaning and maintenance of the surface is necessary to protect your imvestment.

• Seal the stone. Sealing provides protection to preserve the natural color minerals and bonding agents of the natural stone surface against water, oil and food-based stains. Sealing also prevents the growth of bacteria and mildew from the interior and exterior of the stone and grout. • Wipe up any spills and messes as soon as they occur. This will help avoid permanent staining which can be costly and unsightly.

• For everyday cleaning, look for water-based, pH balanced products that are strictly developed for natural stone surfaces.

• Wipe with a microfiber cloth when applying a cleaning solution to your stone to avoid leaving a dull film.

• Clean grout joints with a soft, bristled brush to remove dirt and debris. This area should be thoroughly rinsed before drying.

• Buff the countertops dry with a clean microfiber cloth. This will help minimize any streaks and restore the shine to the stone.

• Apply a good stone polish occasionally following a general cleaning. Choose a non-toxic polish for countertops that will prevent staining.

Removing soap and water, food and oil stains "Dear Sue, I have had my new granite counter installed only 8 months ago. Apparently the dispenser broke and leaked dish soap under the sleeve. I removed the dispenser to find a dark stain approximately 1/2" in diameter around the hole. I cleaned it up and let it dry for several weeks. The stain has lighted very slightly. Is there a product to remove this stain?" I would recommend using SCI's Plain Poultice Powder™ mixed with SCI's Stone Quest® intensive cleaner. Our poultice powder is a great general stain remover designed to reabsorb stubborn stains such as soap, food and oil stains out of stone srufaces. We also have other poultice powders that are designed for specific types of stains. To remove a stain from your stone countertop or floor surface, follow these simple steps: 1st: Clean Clean the surface with Marbamist® Stone Countertop Cleaner or with Marbalex® Stone Floor Cleaner, and let it dry before applying the poultice to the stain. 2nd: Apply the poultice powder Blend the PPP Stain Remover™ with Stone Quest® Intensive Cleaner to a thick paste consistency. Stone Quest will help to boost the stain removal process. 3rd: Rinse After removing the poultice powder, rinse away the excessive powder with Marbamist® or Marbalex®. 4th: Seal To protect your surface from staining again, seal the surface with Stone Spray-n-Seal® water-based penetrating sealer. Make sure that the surface is completely dry before sealing. - Sue	Several Hints • Seal the stone. Sealing provides protection to preserve the natural color minerals and bonding agents of the natural stone surface against water, oil and food-based stains. Sealing also prevents the growth of bacteria and mildew from the interior and exterior of the stone and grout. • Wipe up any spills and messes as soon as they occur. This will help avoid permanent staining which can be costly and unsightly. • For everyday cleaning, look for water-based, pH balanced products that are strictly developed for natural stone surfaces. • Wipe with a microfiber cloth when applying a cleaning solution to your stone to avoid leaving a dull film. • Clean grout joints with a soft, bristled brush to remove dirt and debris. This area should be thoroughly rinsed before drying. • Buff the countertops dry with a clean microfiber cloth. This will help minimize any streaks and restore the shine to the stone. • Apply a good stone polish occasionally following a general cleaning. Choose a non-toxic polish for countertops that will prevent staining.	Removing Pet Stains from Stone Surfaces "Dear Sue, I have five 3 pound maltese dogs who have wet the marble bathroom floor... Do you know of anything I can use to remove any residual urine smell and stains?" To remove a pet stain from your stone countertop or floor surface, follow the simple steps below. For other stains such as oil, food, rust, mildew and ink, we offer a complete line of Poultice Powders that are designed to reabsorb stains out of all natural stone surfaces. 1st: Clean Clean the surface with Marbamist® Stone Countertop Cleaner or with Marbalex® Stone Floor Cleaner, and let it dry before applying the poultice to the stain. 2nd: Apply the poultice powder Blend the PPP Stain Remover™ with Stone Quest® Intensive Cleaner to a thick paste consistency. Stone Quest will help to boost the stain removal process. 3rd: Rinse After removing the poultice powder, rinse away the excessive powder with Marbamist® or Marbalex®. 4th: Seal To protect your surface from staining again, seal the surface with Stone Spray-n-Seal® water-based penetrating sealer. Make sure that the surface is completely dry before sealing. 5th: Disinfect Use Counterrific™ Spray Disinfectant to disinfect the surface after it has been sealed. - Sue
		Back to top
Stained Ceramic Floor Grout "I have stained grout between my ceramic tiles - I think dirt, etc. has gotten in the 'unsealed' grout and caused a major problem--we bought the house and did not realize the grout had not been sealed. What is the very best way to get the grout clean, after which I will seal it?" I would first use Stone Quest®, which is an intensive, yet safe and non-acidic stone and tile cleaner. It will remove soap scum, heavy surface soils, carbon, soot, grease, algae and mildew stains. Rinse immediately with Ceramiclean® tile and grout daily cleaner. After cleaning and letting the stone dry thoroughly, you need to seal the grout between tiles or sealed natural stone surface with Grout Lock™ Aerosol Grout Sealer. Grout Lock™ provides a penetrating, long-lasting barrier for maximum protection along grout lines without leaving any excess sealant residue on the tile or stone. The sealer will not change or whiten the color of your grout. To restore the color of your grout, use Grout Ink™ grout color restorer. Grout Ink™ is non-toxic, water-based, has low odor, and is non-toxic. It will restore white, grey and earthtone grout close to its original appearance. - Sue		NEW Grout Lock Aerosol Grout Sealer Eases application of grout sealer for ceramic tile and sealed natural stone surfaces Provides a clean, natural look and does not change or whiten the color of grout Allows grout surface to breathe while penetrating grout to prevent stains Polymer-based sealer Easy application - simply spray on surface without the need for intensive scrubbing or clean up to remove residue Cures on contact Effective for interior and many exterior applications Surfaces remain sealed for up to three years Provides UV protection and is VOC compliant
		Back to top
Spring-cleaning: Patios & Decks "Dear Sue, I'm planning an outdoor party and need help spring-cleaning and protecting my patio and house. I want everything to look great! Do you have any suggestions?" To clean the stone patio, I would recommend first to use SCI's Marbalex® concentrated stone floor cleaner. Marbalex® is a pH7 balanced, daily stone cleaner that is designed to safely clean all types of natural stone floor tiles without harming the natural crystalline structure. It provides residue-free cleaning and removes soils that harm stone surfaces. After cleaning and letting the stone dry thoroughly, seal your stone patio using Stone Spray-N-Seal® stone and grout sealer. Stone Spray-N-Seal® is a water-based, penetrating sealer that protects natural stone surfaces from staining. It is safe for interior and exterior use, and is UL Classified for slip resistance. Sealing will also help prevent the growth of bacteria and mildew on the interior and exterior of the stone. To clean other outdoor areas, use Goo Gone® Deck Wash for your patio, deck, steps, driveway, fences, garbage cans, and other outdoor equipment. Use Goo Gone® House Wash for any brick, cement, vinyl and aluminum siding. Both products are easy to use with a Power Wash right from your garden hose. - Sue		Getting Rid of Soap Scum & Mildew Stains "Dear Sue, I am having difficulty removing soap scum and mildew stains from the marble shower walls. Is there anything I can mix at home to clean it?" I recommend using Stone Quest® non-acidic intensive stone cleaner. It will remove soap scum, heavy surface soils, carbon, soot, grease, algae and mildew stains. For stone surfaces, rinse immediately with Marbalex® stone floor cleaner or Ceramiclean® for tile surfaces. Marbalex® (for stone surfaces) and Ceramiclean® (for tile & grout surfaces) can also be used for general cleaning of your floors and walls. After cleaning and letting the stone dry thoroughly, now would be a good time to seal your stone shower and floors using Stone Spray-N-Seal® penetrating sealer. The sealer will provide excellent stain protection against bacteria and mildew. I also recommend Counterrific™, which is a ready-to-use spray disinfectant that is FDA and EPA approved to kill Salmonella, E.coli, Listeria and mildew stains. Counteriffic is the only disinfectant that will not harm your stone surface and is safe to use on food-handling surfaces. Along with Stone Quest®, try one of Magic® Shower Squeegees to prevent a build-up of mildew, soap film and water spotting. - Sue

Sue's Helpful Hints!

Removing soap and water, food and oil stains

Several Hints

Removing Pet Stains from Stone Surfaces

Stained Ceramic Floor Grout

Spring-cleaning: Patios & Decks

Getting Rid of Soap Scum & Mildew Stains