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Now you know what to do and what not do. What other precautions should be taken with natural stone? Here are more tips to add to your Natural Stone Owner’s Manual

Walk Off Mats and Rugs
Use good quality, dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to prevent dirt and sand (which can act like sandpaper) from entering your home. Normally, it will take a person about six to eight steps on a floor surface to remove sand or dirt from the bottom of their shoes. Use area rugs on high traffic pathways and pivot areas—at ends of steps, near doorways, etc. All rugs should allow floors to breathe. Avoid rubber-backed or non-ventilated rugs. Use no-slip rug underlayment made especially for hard surface flooring to prevent your rugs from moving.

Floor Protectors
Always put felt protective pads on the legs of your furniture. They allow the furniture to be moved easily without scratching or denting your floor’s finish and can also provide a sound deadening barrier. Replace your felt pads often as dirt and grit can become embedded in them or as they become worn.

Plants and Planters
Never place potted plants directly in contact with your stone flooring, even if they are placed in waterproof saucers. Condensation can develop under these saucers and damage your flooring. To avoid this place your plants on trivets or stands so that air can circulate underneath.

Remember, soil is acidic. When feeding plants be extra careful not to spill fertilizers onto natural stone surfaces.

You’ve designed the perfect natural stone look for your home and now that it’s installed, how do keep natural stone looking good for a long time?

The Cleaning Superhero will begin a series of blogs to help you with natural stone care tips.

Today, here is what to do and what not to do when maintaining natural stone.

DO use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citric juices and use trivets or mats under hot dishes and cookware.

DO dust mop floors frequently preferably with a microfiber dust mop.

DO clean surfaces with cleaners designated safe for natural stone.

DO thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing.

DO blot up spills immediately to minimize potential permanent damage.

DO protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs.

DON’T use vinegar, lemon juice or any cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or onyx surfaces.

DON’T use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners.

DON’T use abrasive cleaners such as dry or soft cleansers.

DON’T mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.

DON’T use a standard floor wax on your natural stone. It will only take away from the natural beauty of
the stone and could lead to more costly and constant maintenance. If you want a shine to your stone, have your stone professionally polished.

DO call us for any questions or problems that appear too difficult to treat

Can’t wait for the remainder of the 2 page guide? Simply go to the Cleaning Superhero’s “request an estimate” webpage, fill out the contact information with a valid email address and enter FREE Stone Care Guide in the “Description of Project” area. The complete guide will be sent to your inbox.

www.cleaningsuperhero.com/estimate.php