| Did you know …20% of stone, tile and | | | | This material is formulated to enable a |
| grout floor restoration work is the result of | | | | homeowner to polish small areas of etched |
| inappropriate "cleaning?" The wives tale | | | | stone returning a glossy appearance to the |
| that vinegar is a wonderful grout cleaners is | | | | stone. In severe cases where one can |
| just that: a wives tale. Vinegar proves can | | | | physically feel the damage, the shine can be |
| bleach and give the appearance of cleaning as | | | | returned, but a professional stone craftsman |
| it degrades the grout's appearance in its own | | | | will be needed to level the stone for a |
| manner. Grout and many stone surfaces are | | | | consistent reflective image. |
| acid sensitive. Vinegar and many off the | | | | |
| shelf tile, grout and floor cleaners tend to | | | | What about cleaning my grout? In the case of |
| be acidic. Acidic solutions have long been | | | | grout, vinegar and acidic solutions can |
| recognized as good "cleaners." | | | | dissolve the dyes and pigments used to color |
| Unfortunately, acidic cleaners can have | | | | the grout, bleaching the grout over time. On |
| negative impact on surfaces. So how should | | | | a cement colored or white grout this may not |
| one clean these floors, stone, grout and | | | | be noticeable, but on a tan or darker grout |
| tile? First, lets be clear on our definition | | | | you may be trading a stained appearance for a |
| of clean. Clean is the absence of dirt or | | | | lighter than normal appearance. Here again a |
| oil on the surface. This can be accomplished | | | | pH neutral cleaner is the safest most |
| with a pH neutral stone cleaner. This is a | | | | effective means of cleaning your sealed |
| great product to maintain your floors, | | | | grout. Failing to seal or to re-seal your |
| however if the damage has already been done | | | | stone and grout surfaces every few years |
| we need to look elsewhere to restore the | | | | opens the surface up to stain risks. Once |
| surface to its original appearance. | | | | stained the cost and effort required to |
| | | | correct the problem can far exceed the cost |
| Have white spots or rings that keep coming | | | | of periodic preventative maintenance. |
| back after you clean them? CaCO3 based | | | | |
| stones such as limestone, marble, travertine, | | | | What do I do about the grout stains that do |
| and salturnia to name a few will etch in the | | | | not clean up? Stains result when a spill or |
| presence of an acid. The acid dissolves the | | | | dirty mop water enters the pores of an |
| stone causing microscopic pitts in the | | | | unsealed grout or tile carrying with it the |
| surface. The pitts show as dull areas or a | | | | colorants from the spill or liquid. To |
| loss of shine initially, forming white spots | | | | prevent this or reduce the risk of staining. |
| if the damage is more severe. These white | | | | it is important your stone and grout surfaces |
| spots, rings and "waterspots" disappear when | | | | be sealed. This should be done with a |
| cleaned with water, only to re-appear once | | | | penetrating sealer if you are seeking a |
| the stone has fully dried. The water | | | | solution that will not alter the stone finish |
| effectively fills these pits returning a | | | | or color, or a topical sealer if your are |
| smooth continuous reflective surface to the | | | | seeking to boost gloss or change grout color. |
| stone, effectively making the damaged areas | | | | While there are many claims to longevity of |
| difficult to see. Then when the water | | | | seals, most seals need to be replenished |
| evaporates they re-appear. | | | | every 2 years or so. If your surface gets a |
| | | | wet look versus beading up when water is |
| So what is one to do to get rid of dull areas | | | | spritzed on it, you likely need to reseal |
| and white spots? Light etching and white | | | | your surface. If uncertain or uninterested |
| spots can be removed using a polishing | | | | in doing this yourself most stone maintenance |
| compound such as Gold Plus Gloss Restorer. | | | | companies can handle this on your behalf. |