Natural Stone - Porcelain - Tile Cleaning and Care

"Because of its natural variations, stone flooring in a facility’s entryway and lobby can easily lose its appealing aesthetic qualities due to damage resulting from the everyday wear of foot traffic, spills, harsh cleaners and weathering elements. Since stone is absorbent and rejects most conventional cleaners, proper chemical selection is important in successfully cleaning stone floors.

Distributors are forced to educate end users on the correct chemicals to use. Distributors say they often find cleaning crews using all-purpose cleaners instead of cleaners specifically formulated for natural stone.

Bill McGarvey, training manager for Philip Rosenau Co., Inc., Warminster, Pa., says most distributors educate their customers on the value of using a neutral pH chemical that is designed for specific stone types. Mostly, it helps end users avoid costly gaffes and unnecessary maintenance down the line.

Most all-purpose cleaners have a pH ranging from slightly acidic to an alkaline base with a pH of 8 to 10. Thus, the use of all-purpose cleaners gradually breaks down the stone’s sealer, removes its protective properties and makes the stone’s natural polish susceptible to dulling, discoloration and irreversible changes.

Stones vulnerability can be greatly minimized by using the correct chemicals and having the stone treated at the time of installation and manufacturer recommended intervals, says Jerry Hoffman, vice president of business development at National Paper & Sanitary Supply Co., Omaha, Neb.

“The first step after a new installation is complete, is to impregnate the stone with a durable sealer,” he says.

The main objective of an impregnator is to protect the interior of natural stone from staining. Impregnator seals help prevent fluids from penetrating below the stone’s surface and into the micro-pore structure. It also makes the stone’s surface easier to clean.

As part of a stone maintenance program, distributors recommend end users keep a record of when the stone was treated, the product used and its service life. Over time the treatment will eventually lose its effectiveness and the stone should be retreated.
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Porcelain’s dense, low-absorptive body inhibits the penetration of contaminants and, therefore, is a tile that is easier to maintain than stone. Porcelain not only limits dirt and stains, but also prevents top sealers and most chemicals from penetrating the surface. Also, porcelain tile does not need to be sealed, but does need surface protection to impede dirt collection and improve ease of cleaning.

General maintenance and cleaning of porcelain varies depending on the surface texture and soil load.

Distributors say daily cleaning should be performed with non-oil, non-acidic and non-soap based neutral cleaners diluted to manufacturer recommendations."

Quoted from article at - http://www.cleanlink.com/sm/article/Floor-Care-Cleaning-Stone-And-Porcelain-Tile--8282