How cleaning of natural marble and slate stone is done

Restoring Indian marble and slate stone is a thriving business. Despite top quality finish and post-sales services, many buyers are making a beeline to the cleaning and restoration experts to take care of minor issues. Marble and slate stone require an elaborate cleaning and restoration regime to give them the “unblemished natural” look. Regular cleaning won’t be enough in most cases, especially if you are living in an urban city area or bay area. Pollution, dirt, dust and footfalls take a toll on the surface appearance. For a highly reflective surface, Indian slate stone slabs and marble exporters recommend polishing and sealant application to prolong the glossy finish.

How cleaning of natural marble and slate stone is done?

 

Cleaning of natural Indian stones involves 3 distinct processes. They are:

-    Blow dry cleaning
-    Misting
-    Polishing using abrasive chemicals/ machining

Before polishing and restoring of the natural stones, cleaning the corners and pockets is necessary. Any invasive dust particle will tear the sealant apart and lead to further damage.

Shining marble floors

If the marble floor you installed last year has already begun to lose its sheen, it requires a radian polishing powder application. It is the cheapest and smartest way to retain the glossy finish that the Indian marble manufacturers are known to deal in. Minor scratches, stains and cracks are camouflaged using a mix of buffing and polishing procedure, which takes less than 45 minutes.

Slate stone cleaning and sealing 

 

Indian slate stone is a popular natural building material used for roofing and flooring applications. The durability of Indian slates is known all round the world and are available in multiple varieties. Cheaper versions have made it to the market, but the commanding position that slates hold remains unchallenged. So, how to retain the appeal over the surface even years after its installation?

Points to be noted

o    High gloss stone sealers are available in the market that provides the surface with a superlative shine and long-lasting protection. These water-based polishes are non-volatile in nature and have mild fragrance.

o    Indian marbles and slates are susceptible to oil and grease stains. The application of the sealers comes handy if you have installed natural stone in areas like kitchen, bathroom, store room and bar. Here is how you restore the natural stone.

o    Close the doors and windows while applying the sealers.

o    Avoid contact with water, oil, sunlight and any impurity.

o    Remove the sealant coating already existing over the surface. Only expert installation personnel know how to scrub and re-touch the surface.

o    Apply the sealers every 18 month to restore the sheen.

o    Don’t use restoration techniques for glazed and non-absorbing surfaces like woods and decks.

Experts recommend the use of water-based mildly acidic floor detergents. They are clear in nature and have non-staining interaction with the slate surface. Regularly wiping the surface with detergents can yellow it and cause staining along the edges. Use of 0.01 inch sealant cover is the most preferred way to keep the Indian slates young and shiny for decades to come.

Top 5 Tips For Cleaning Natural Limestone Floorings, Walls, Tiles And Paving Blocks

Indian limestone slabs are one of the most preferred natural stone composites used to lay flooring, wall tiles, counters, outdoor paving and shower surfaces. Limestone slabs from India have been in use since centuries. Indian sandstone and limestone were used extensively in Northern and Western India for building forts, barracks, ponds, tombs and pavilions. Today, they are used in cladding, flooring and paving. If you have limestone and sandstone flooring at home and are confused about going ahead with cleaning regime, here is a Top 5 Tips For Cleaning Natural Limestone Floorings, Walls, Tiles And Paving Blocks advised by Indian Limestone Exporters.

Always vacuum first before mopping

Most limestone experts observe that the Indian customers complaint about scratches and cracks on the surface. The staining of the floor occurs because of the brooms and sticks. Don’t use Indian brooms. Instead use vacuum cleaner with a soft brush to dust away. For outdoor purpose, use water jets or air blower. Suction mechanism won’t come handy for cleaning of outdoor Indian limestone slabs.

1. Got a stain, drop talcum powder on the surface

If you have alcohol or oil drop on the limestone surface, here is an easy way to manage it and prevent staining. Sprinkle some amount of talcum powder on the oil drop and cover it with a dry linen or cotton cloth. This would soak the oil and prevent it from staining. The ideal way to sprinkle talc is to put it on and around the drop so that the stain is not spread to the adjacent surface.

2. No soap, no vinegar and absolutely no detergent

It is said that the Indian limestone can withstand virtually any chemical attack. Still take no chances. Instead of using regular cleaners and detergents, use mildly warm water and two teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide. First wipe the floor with plain water, and then clean it with the chemical solution. Again mop the surface with plain water. This way you will keep the limestone glossy and beautiful much longer than what it was initially designed for.

3. Maintain the health of the Sealant topping

Take care of the sealant that comes with the Indian limestone slabs. It is applied on the surface to prevent it from getting scratched, stained or cracked. It also prevents the accumulation of filth over the cracks. Use of abrasives and loading heavier items over the limestone slab surface tends to wear out the sealant over a period of time. Modern day sealants are not meant to last more than 40 months. Change it as soon as the term is over. It will save you the cost of replacing the whole set of limestone tiles and slabs.
4. Watch out for usual culprits

Apart from oil drop, wine, dust and stone chips, there are other elements that can cause havoc to the health of the limestone slabs like:

• Hairs
• Nails
• Peels from vegetables and fruits
• Blood drops
• Ash from cigarettes and incense stick

If you don’t remove them regularly, they can damage the surface and stain it permanently, even when sealant is intact.