In Hawaii, stone is a natural, beautiful building resource that is perfect for our indoor-outdoor lifestyle. And although it is among the most durable of materials, proper maintenance will help you enjoy your stone for a lifetime.
“With the holidays approaching, many people will be hosting parties and family get togethers, which means more traffic in and around your home,” said Bella Pietra CEO Layla Dedrick. “Now is the time to protect your stone before the holiday season really gets into full swing.”
Preventionis a piece of cake:
• Use coasters under glasses, particularly those containing alcohol or citrus juices.
• Dust-mop interior floors using a clean, non-treated, dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit are abrasive and can damage natural stone.
Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that may scratch the stone floor. Be sure the underside of the mat or rug is a slip-resistant surface. Plus, if rugs catch dirt and grit, you’ll do less cleaning.
• Make cleaning a breeze with the right product. Use a neutral cleaner, stone soap or a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water. Bella Pietra carries inexpensive and cost-effective liquid stone soaps for countertops and floors that come in easy-to-use spray bottles or quarts. Similar to any item cleaned in your home, an excessive concentration of cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks. Follow the recommendations on the bottle.
• Use a clean rag mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. In the bath or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. To remove it, use a non-acidic soap scum remover. Finally, do not mix ammonia and bleach because this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
Understanding sealers
Sealing is a common step taken on some stones as an extra precaution against staining. In fact, the sealing products used in the stone industry are “impregnators,” which do not actually seal the stone, but more correctly act as a repellent. “You don’t really want to use a sealer that sits on the surface, as these dull the appearance,” said Dedrick. “High-quality impregnating sealers will prolong the life and beauty of your stone floors and countertops. And contrary to popular belief, you do not have to reseal every year. A good sealer, like those from Miracle Sealants, can last a lifetime.”
Bella Pietra, which means “beautiful stone” in Italian, is Hawaii’s premier natural stone company offering the state’s best selection and quality of natural stone materials. Locally owned and operated since 2001, Bella Pietra specializes in natural products including marble, granite, slate, quartzite, travertine, limestone, glass tile and basalt lava stone from around the world.
BELLA PIETRA
contact // 587-7779
address // 741 N. Nimitz Hwy.
web // bellapietra.com
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