Natural Stone Care
Types Of Tile
Limestone:
Limestone is similar to marble in that it is sensitive to acids and household cleaners containing chelating agents. It varies in hardness and sometimes will have fossil imprints. Dry Master Cleaning & Restoration offers stain removal as well as cleaning, polishing, and sealing of limestone.
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Marble:
Marble is softer and more porous than most stone; it not only scratches easily, but also etches easily. Marble is sensitive to acids in many different food items (including citrus products, sodas, etc.) and chelating agents in household cleaners. See the section marked maintenance for more on chelating agents. Dry Master Cleaning and Restoration offers rust and stain removal as well as cleaning, polishing, and sealing marble floors.
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Travertine:
Travertine is limestone that has been formed by hot springs. Water movement caused erosion of the stone creating numerous holes of varying sizes. Travertine is similar to marble in that it can be polished, and is sensitive to acids and household cleaners with chelating agents. Dry Master Cleaning & Restoration offers cleaning, honing, polishing, sealing, and enhancement sealers for Travertine.
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Slate:
Slate is fine-grained metamorphic stone usually black, gray or green. Slate is not acid sensitive, but prolonged use of household cleaners with chelating agents can cause streaking and dullness. Dry Master Cleaning & Restoration offers slate cleaning, sealing or enhancers that bring out the deep rich natural color of slate.
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Granite:
Granite is an extremely hard natural stone and is not as porous as other natural stones. Though not acid sensitive, prolonged use of household cleaners with chelating agents will cause streaking and can be a homeowner's nightmare. Dry Master Cleaning & Restoration offers cleaning and sealing of granite.
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Terrazzo:
Terrazzo appears more uniform than most natural stones and is available in tile form or by a pouring application on the slab. Terrazzo is a mixture of Portland cement and marble chips; these chips can range in size from a fraction of an inch to as larger as several inches. Dry Master Cleaning & Restoration offers Terrazzo cleaning, polishing and sealing.
Maintenance
General cleaners, not specifically formulated for natural stone or tile, are never recommended. These can breakdown the sealer, thereby removing its protective properties and making the stone and tile and grout susceptible to stains. Worse yet, many cleaning products, including those that contain lemon, vinegar, bleach or ammonia can etch away the polish, discolor the surface, or even scratch your stone.
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Many cleaners have what is called a chelating agent in them. This agent breaks down and dissolves minerals in hard water. Since stone is made up of minerals, these types of cleaners will dissolve and cause streaks over a prolonged use.