Showing results for: Marble and travertine cleaner/

The Upkeep of Marble and Travertine

March 15, 2016 – 7:44 pm

orangeWILL YOUR MARBLE & TRAVERTINE CLEANER MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER, SAFER AND HEALTHIER?

OR WILL IT COST YOU THOUSANDS?

Marble is a gorgeous, natural looking surface characterized by elegant swirling colors and an elegant finish designed to accent a beautiful home.  Travertine is but one form of marble, most often displaying a tan to brown color, with spots of cream.   How you care for your travertine will make the difference between pride and horror.  Choose the wrong cleaner and a $10 investment could cost you thousands; not to mention the shocking realization you did it yourself and the frustration of realizing that no amount of “cleaning” will remove the dullness, swirls, spots and spill marks burned into your floor.  Now you need a restoration.  The restoration service industry’s phone calls typically surge following slick TV ads promoting effective calcium and hard water removing cleaners, or all purpose tile cleaners.  The only difference is how fast they will destroy your finish.  The good news is this mistake can be fixed, but not without a restoration.  All because the wrong cleaner was used.

A quick fact: your marble and travertine floors are made of the same material that is deposited on the surface as “hard water stains” or “calcium deposits,” Calcium Carbonate.  While a knowledgeable restoration expert can remove these deposits without damaging the original stone, the cleaning industry will promote or recommend various acidic concoctions to chemically remove these deposits, and in doing so will also dissolve pits into your finished floor surface.  A beautiful floor can be converted into a white-etched, streaked mess within one application of a hard water remover or gradually over time with the use of vinegar or a to a duller finish with a tile cleaner.  Like a dieter watching calories, it pays to read the label and avoid anything that contains a hint of acid- or does not specifically tout itself to be marble-safe.

IF YOU WANT CLEAN, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE OILS
Water, while safe, fails to remove the other enemy, oil.  Oil collects on floors from a variety of sources. We walk it in: bare feet and pet pads deposit it, we splatter it as we cook, and deposit it with each spill.  What is clear is that dirt by itself will not stick to a floor, it needs an oil base to act as its adhesive.  Remove the oil and the floor can be cleaned with a dry duster.  much easier than pulling out the mop bucket, water just won’t do it.

Neither will an acidic cleaner like vinegar, or even a solvent cleaner.  They ride on top of the oil and do little but move it around.  A surfactant cleaner however is different, its half water-loving half oil-loving, nature allows it to surround the oil so that it cannot see the water while allowing the oil to be carried away by the water. It also has the benefit of doing the same with acids. So instead of simply diluting and spreading the damage when we wipe up with water, we can effectively surround and neutralize the acid, halting its damaging effects.

MARBLELIFE developed surfactant cleaning technology in response to a recognized gap in the market between water, vinegar, tile cleaners and calcium removers.  Optimized over years as a marble cleaner, it now offers a myriad of additional benefits.  By removing persistent surface oil contamination, it enhances floor safety by measurably improving anti-slip performance.  In fact, in a study of anti-slip treatments, more than 80% of the benefit was captured by simply using the right cleaner- something that could be done without any further treatments.  When it comes to disinfecting do you want to kill the bugs and leave the carcass? Or do you simply remove everything on the surface?  Optimized for ease of use, it will remove oil without streaking, making it suitable for far more than its initial mission as a marble and travertine cleaner.

When it comes to cleaner selection, it’s simple.  Get it right, and you get the benefits of having made an informed decision. Get it wrong, and the costs can reach the thousands; as the only way to remove acid damage is to grind the entire marble tile down to the depth of the deepest damage.

THE WRONG CLEANER WILL REMOVE YOUR SEAL
Acids have another dastardly feature. They reverse the chemistry of your stone sealer, allowing it to be washed away over time and leaving your stone and travertine susceptible to staining.  You don’t need to get anxious when your little visitor is walking across the floor with a blue kool aid- if your floor is properly sealed, that is.  Sealing is like an insurance policy.  You rest easy when you have it and have reason to be concerned when you don’t.  Use of an acidic cleaner can remove the entire seal in one application.  We know this because we utilize acids to remove grout sealers before treating the grout to restore its color, and we can do so in one application.  Therefore…so can you.

SEALING YOUR FLOOR…AND WHY YOU MAY HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN.
The second myth we have to manage is the need to seal your floor.  Marble is highly porous.  In its natural state it will absorb water on contact, darkening as it does.  The stone was likely sealed on installation. However, sealers are not permanent.  In fact, acid has the nasty habit of reversing the reaction the sealer went through when applied, allowing it to be washed away.  So applying an acid cleaner will literally wash away the sealer.  Acid spills such as tea, coffee or juice will do the same thing but on a spot basis.  Once destroyed, the surface is open and susceptible to being stained.  Now that blue Kool Aid in that little one’s hands becomes a source of anxiety.  In fact, anything with a dye could create a problem.  Once stained, you cannot guarantee it can be removed.  You are better off applying an ounce of prevention so you can sleep well and unconcerned.  Stone should be sealed every other year.  This is your insurance policy, and like all such policies, you are overjoyed to have it when you need it, but regret not getting it when you really need it.

So a non-acidic surfactant based cleaner and a penetrating sealer are the keys to caring for your marble and travertine.  Select an appropriate offering and your floor will be easier, healthier and more beautiful.  Choose wrongly, and you will have a dull, slip-prone, frustrating surface that is going to cost you a pretty penny to restore.

MARBLELIFE has been formulating, optimizing and developing Marble, Travertine, Granite, Tile and Concrete Cleaners, services and care processes for more than 25 years. Throughout this time, we have become the largest stone restoration company in North America.  For more information visit us at MARBLELIFE Product page or MARBLELIFE website

By Laurie - Posted in Quick Tips - Comments Off on The Upkeep of Marble and Travertine

Vinegar: The Good, Bad and Downright Ugly Truth as a Cleaning Agent

February 18, 2016 – 3:08 pm

White vinegarIF YOU HAVE MARBLE, TRAVERTINE, POLISHED CONCRETE OR GROUT (AKA TILE) THERE ARE HUGE REASONS NOT TO USE VINGAR.

Urban legend suggests vinegar is a good cleaning agent.  In truth, it has the incidious ability to attack your floors in three distinctly different manners.  In each case, the damage is done overtime.  Kind of like eating sweets.   One isn’t going to hurt you but eating the bag overtime can impact the eater’s weight.

  1. Etching – Vinegar’s ability to dissolve CaCO3 will dull your marble, travertine, concrete and terrazzo surfaces.  It may “clean” the surface but it is also dissolving pits into the finish and effectively dulling it.  Overtime, what appears as wear on your floor may in fact be a broad acid attack resulting in an etched surface.  Wear is characterized by long shallow scratches created when a piece of sand or other debris is trapped under one’s foot and is scraped across the surface. An etch is characterized by pinholes in the surface where the acid has dissolved away the CaCO3 in the stone or grout. The difference can be seen with a magnifying glass.  This will affect marble, travertine, concrete and concrete terrazzo surfaces.
  2. pH Shift – Vinegar’s ability to shift the pH of a surface due to its acid nature creates a condition which reverses the reaction used to seal your grout and stone surfaces- allowing the seal to be floated away while in its unreacted state.  At pH 7 your seal is like glass but at ph 1 it has been reverted back to its liquid raw materials form and can seal nothing.
  3. Leeching – Vinegar’s ability to leech out grout dyes will lighten and eventually decolor grout over time.

WHAT’S IN VINEGAR?   Vinegar consists of acetic acid, a natural and inexpensive acid.  Its low cost is why it has become so popular as a cleaning product ingredient. In fact, we have been using it since Roman times, however this was not one of their great gifts to mankind.  They just happened to be the first to be tricked by this trickster “cleaner.”

GOT MARBLE OR TRAVERTINE?
As an acid, vinegar will react with CaCO3.  This is what hard water consists of.  Unfortunately, what many people do not realize is that their marble and travertine solutions are also made of CaCO3.  Whether using vinegar specifically to remove hard water deposits, or cleaning your entire floor, the acid reacts with your marble and creates a small pit disrupting the mirror like smooth surface that was capable of reflecting light for a glossy sharp appearance.  Overtime you can literally vinegar-wash the finish off your floor, or more accurately acid pit your floor.  The solution requires the floor to be ground and polished by a professional marble restoration craftsman.  The good news it can be restored to its original shine and luster.

Once restored, you will want to use a non-acidic cleaner such as MARBLELIFE’S MARBLE & TRAVERTINE CLEANER.  As you will find, this cleaner also does a remarkable job cleaning up oily, greasy situations.  Your kitchen will thank you.

Marble and some metals will show the damage immediately if pure vinegar is used. Lemon juice and most fruit juices contain sufficient acid that one can visibly etch a surface in a few minutes of contact. The resulting white spot, ring or lemon wedge may look like a smudge or dirt, but is actually missing stone. This type of damage requires the stone to be honed and polished in order to repair it.

So how do you get rid of hard water stains?  Try a razor blade… that may be all you need, otherwise call MARBLELIFE.  A professional stone restoration craftsman can remove surface build-up and restore your surface to a clean, glossy appearance.

GOT POLISHED CONCRETE?
Polished concrete is credited to being one of the least-expensive-to-maintain floor.  It can be colored and polished in a variety of finishes.  In fact, you will see this type of floor in big box stores around the country who also appreciate the fact that once densified it prevents salts from seeping up through the concrete which would then dry on the surface and become the largest source of dust in the building.  The shift to a densified, polished concrete occurred largely due to the time savings associated with not having to deal with dust, and the better perceived turnaround associated with products that “have not been on the shelf so long they are not covered with dust.”  So what is the biggest problem and repair?  A customer dropping a pickle jar in the grocery store.  The vinegar spill will literally etch its splatter pattern into the floor leaving a white ghost impression.  Fixing it requires the floor to be reground and polished by a professional.  If this can occur with a single spill of a product using a lot of vinegar, consider what is happening when you are cleaning consistently with a diluted solution of vinegar.  Exactly the same thing, just over a longer time and a larger area.  Better to clean your floor with a MARBLELIFE cleaner.  If you do this, your floor can maintain its appearance for years to come.

GOT CERAMIC TILE?:
Ceramic tile surfaces are impervious to acid. BUT, for the accompanying grout, it is NOT. In fact, this may be THE major reason why your grout has discolored and unable to return to a like-new appearance.  Don’t worry, once you understand what is happening, there are solutions that cannot just restore a fresh clean appearance, but will allow you to greatly simplify your cleaning going forward.  Think COLORSEAL and TILELOK.  Your grout has been protected with a penetrating sealer designed to fill in the pores in what is otherwise a concrete-like matrix- unsealed, and it would absorb liquids just like rain on a concrete sidewalk.  Acids and vinegars have the nasty affect of changing the pH condition of the grout in such a manner that it unzips the penetrating sealer’s chemistry returning it to its raw materials state.  The act of washing literally floats these materials out of your grout.  Over time your grout becomes unsealed and is now free to absorb dirt. Particularly dirt from your mop water as you clean the floor.  Once inside the grout, it gives a stained appearance and is extremely difficult to remove, particularly if it is an oil to grease based dirt, which of course will not mix well with the water in your mop bucket (unless you are using a MARBLELIFE Cleaner – but that is a subject for another article).

GOT GROUT?
If you have a tile floor you sure do.  In addition to breaking down the seal as noted above, vinegar has the ability to leech out the grout’s color and any dyes.  The fact that a floor looks lighter and whiter after its use is a major reason people have gravitated to it. However, the real reason this occurs is not cleaning but rather more closely associated with bleaching.  The grout is being robbed of its color.  Overtime your grout will trend towards a light cement grey color.  The good news is that the color CAN be restored to your grout using a process and technique called COLORSEALING.  This requires a colorized seal to be re-applied to the grout, where it will be absorbed.  The treatment is reapplied until a uniform color is obtained. Once completed, a color-sealed grout line will have greater uniformity in color than the original grout.  Hard to believe, but factually true!  This has to do with the grout’s loss of water over time during the short period the installer is installing it (another article).

Grout suffers a second issue in that many dyes used to color the grout can be leeched out of the grout using an acid, like vinegar. As such, the lightening that is perceived to be the acid cleaning is actually the removal of the dye and the grout’s color. Overtime continuous use can turn a colored grout back to its cementitous gray root color.

THE GOOD NEWS – EACH ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED

SERVICE
The good news is that MARBLELIFE has developed service solutions that can repair the damage caused by an acid attack. Call 888-218-4616 for an estimate and guidance. Enter your zip code and you will be connected to the local MARBLELIFE service office in your area who can provide you with a FREE ASSESSMENT of your surface, info and education on what caused the problem, how to restore it, and then how to properly maintain it.

PRODUCT
Maintaining the investment made in your floor and counter finishes requires little education and cleaning products designed to safely clean and maintain your surfaces. This has been MARBLELIFE’s passion for more than 25 years. We are the only company that manufactures care products and provides restoration services. Our commitment has enabled us to consistently provide quality results. Our clients have rewarded us with their business and sufficient referrals to enable us to become the largest service provider in North America, with more than 45 locations.

Visit us at MARBLELIFEPRODUCTS.com to find a local hardware store in your area, or to place an order online.

CONTACT US – For more information about your particular situation. Do not hesitate to contact us at 888-218-4616

By Laurie - Posted in Quick Tips - Comments Off on Vinegar: The Good, Bad and Downright Ugly Truth as a Cleaning Agent

MARBLELIFE® MAXOUT Tile & Grout Cleaner and Cleaner Concentrate

October 9, 2014 – 11:59 am

MARBLELIFE MAXOUT Tile & Grout Cleaner CONCENTRATE is a specifically designed formulation that emulsifies grease and dirt from your grout. It will not harm ceramic, porcelain, Saltillo, Terracotta or stone tile. This well established technology, using emulsifiers, works quickly on grease and dirt allowing for faster cleaning of grout, resulting in less time on the job. When used correctly, MARBLELIFE MAXOUT Concentrate removes stubborn surface grime with simple agitation.

Unlike most grout cleaners, MARBLELIFE MAXOUT Tile & Grout Cleaner is not acidic;  it is alkali.  This is important because most grout manufactures state not to use acid to clean the grout.  The use of acid will bleach out the color and weaken the grout causing it to erode from the grout joint.  With maximum cleaning power, a pleasant orange scent, and as gentle as hand soap, MaxOut is a wonderful surprise.  Watch in this video to see for yourself just how powerful this Deep Grout Cleaner truly is.

MARBLELIFE MAXOUT Tile & Grout Cleaner is Available:

41300-16 – 16oz READY-TO-USE

41300-16×2 – 2 16oz READY-TO-USE

41300-32     – 32 oz READY-TO-USE – MOST POPULAR
41300-128   – 1-Gal READY-TO-USE
41300-5GAL – 5-Gal READY-TO-USE

MARBLELIFE MAXOUT Cleaner CONCENTRATE is Available:

41310-08       –  8 oz –  CONCENTRATE Makes 1 pint READY-TO-USE Cleaner
41310-16       – 16 oz –  CONCENTRATE Makes 1 quart READY-TO-USE Cleaner
41310-32      –  32 oz – CONCENTRATE Makes 2 quarts READY-TO-USE Cleaner – SAVES 23% vs READY TO USE QT – MOST POPULAR
41310-1GAL – 1-Gal –  CONCENTRATE Makes 8 quarts READY-TO-USE Cleaner – SAVES 23% vs READY TO USE QT
41310-5GAL – 5-Gal – CONCENTRATE Makes 20 quarts READY-TO-USE Cleaner – SAVES 42% vs READY TO USE QT

Needed Supplies:

  • MARBLELIFE MAXOUT Grout Cleaner Concentrate
  • MARBLELIFE  Tile & Grout Cleaner
  • Small bristle brush or Wallpaper Brush
  • Toothbrush for corners and tight areas
  • Mop, rags or paper towels

Directions from Concentrate:

Remember that MARBLELIFE MAXOUT is a tough cleaner and does require rinsing.  For regular floor cleaning we recommend MARBLELIFE Tile & Grout Cleaner or MARBLELIFE Marble & Travertine Cleaners.

  • For Deep Grout cleaning mix MARBLELIFE MAXOUT Concentrate 50/50 with clean water.
  • For difficult areas or walls where more clinging is desired, use without diluting with water if desired.

Step 1:  Apply and Scrub
Pour MARBLELIFE MAXOUT Grout Cleaner (diluted) directly into the grout joints and scrub in a back and forth motion with a small bristle brush or best is a wallpaper brush.  A floor brush can be used for a standing upright method.  This agitation will cause dirty suds to form at the surface.  As these dirty suds form, wipe them away with a paper towel, rag or mop them up if standing upright.  Continue this procedure for the remaining areas.

Step 2:  Rinse and Dry
After Step 1, you will need to rinse off the remaining MARBLELIFE MAXOUT from the surface of the tiles and grout.
This is easily done using MARBLELIFE Tile & Grout Cleaner or even water will do an OK job.
MARBLELIFE MAXOUT will not hurt your surfaces, but since it is a Deep Cleaner any cleaner left on the surface will leave a residue since it still carries the dirt and oils it has gathered.

 

 

People who purchased MARBLELIFE MAXOUT also purchased MARBLELIFE SEALER and CLEANERS
How to now keep your clean grout clean:

Step 1: Clean – Depending on your unique problems, we have specialized cleaners ready to tackle the biggest bathroom culprits. We recommend they are used in this order for the best results:

  • MARBLELIFE Soap Scum Remover
  • MARBLELIFE Mold & Mildew Stain Remover
  • MARBLELIFE MAXOUT Deep Grout Cleaner

Step 2: Seal – Sealing makes future cleaning easier and faster. MARBLELIFE Stone Sealer & Grout Sealer keeps oil and dirt on the surface, where it’s simple to spray and wipe away. Unsealed grout or stone will become stained. There is no guarantee that these stains can ever be fully removed, leading to costly replacements.

Step 3: Maintain – Use MARBLELIFE Tile & Grout cleaner to keep the area free of dirt and oils, and to prevent the same issues from quickly reoccurring.

 

MARBLELIFE… Helping Make Your Life Easier.

 

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Watermelon and Marble… A sad story

February 3, 2014 – 7:29 pm

404800We bought a watermelon and placed it on top of our black marble counter top in the kitchen. Someone cut it (I’m not saying who) and let it drip on the marble, down the cabinet, and on to the floor.  I cleaned up as soon as I saw it, but it has left white marks on my beautiful black marble.  When I wipe it down and it’s wet, the spots go away, but the minute it’s dry…the white marks show up.  What can I do?  Is my only answer a professional?

Answer:  Before you call the pros, I want you to try Marblelife.  Use the Marblelife Marble and Travertine Cleaner and clean the whole surface.  Then use the Marblelife Etch Remover and polish in small areas at a time in a circular motion. Use a soft rag.  As soon as see that the Marble is shiny, stop the action of the Etch Remover by cleaning again with the Marblelife Marble and Travertine Cleaner.  So you are going to polish with the Etch Remover, and then clean with the Marble Cleaner…going the whole length of the stain.  Just remember, polish a small area at a time, and follow with the cleaner.

By customercare - Posted in Questions - Comments (0)

MARBLELIFE® Stone Sealer

September 18, 2013 – 1:48 pm

About This Product

MARBLELIFE Stone Sealer is a fantastic combination of the strongest features of a superior quality sealer, without the negative features of many popular sealers.  For you technical folks, Marblelife Stone Sealer is both a hydrophobic and oilophobic fluoropolymer impregnating sealer.  Simply put, it’s an ultra high quality sealer that penetrates into the stone and repels both water based and oil based items.  This is healthy for your stone, provides breathability, is durable, long lasting and provides superior sealing protection.

Additionally, it is easy to use and low odor compared to most solvent based sealers that have strong VOC’s.  It penetrates into your marble, or other natural stone, providing protection under the surface.  It adheres a safe, durable, clear polymer material into the pores of the marble which keeps staining materials from entering and staining the stone.  It also helps keep out unhealthy bacteria, germs, oils and dirt which are not good for your marble or your health.  As an added feature, Marblelife Stone Sealer helps make cleaning quicker and easier.  Moreover, it is easier to use than other solvent based sealers allowing virtually anyone to apply a quality application without streaking.

 

Additional helpful information for you:

 

Product Size Availability:

4 OZ –  Expected Coverage  15 SQFT / GALLON
8 OZ –  Expected Coverage  30 SQFT / GALLON
16 OZ –  Expected Coverage   62 SQFT / GALLON
32 OZ –  Expected Coverage 125 SQFT / GALLON
1 GAL – Expected Coverage 500 SQFT / GALLON

 

Product Directions:

 It is highly recommended that before applying a sealer, that you do a Deep Cleaning of your marble, granite, travertine, terrazzo, slate or other natural stone.  This gets the oils and dirt out of the pores which keeps them from being sealed in and allows the sealer to penetrate better into all the stone’s pores.

Deep Cleaning Marble & Travertine Countertops, Vanities & Table Tops

Deep Cleaning Marble, Travertine & Terrazzo Floors

 

Needed Supplies:

 

Step 1 – Deep Cleaning

It is recommended before applying a sealer that you first do a deep cleaning as detailed in the above “Deep Cleaning” sections.  After deep cleaning, we recommended that you allow the stone surface to dry for at least a few hours before proceeding with applying a sealer.

 

Step 2 – Wipe On & Soak

After your stone surface is clean and dry, use a clean dry cloth or sponge to apply the sealer onto the surface.  Pour MARBLELIFE Stone Sealer either onto your clean dry cloth or pour an ounce directly onto the surface and spread around.  Apply enough sealer so that the entire surface area is wet.  Once entirely wet with sealer, allow to soak for 10 minutes.  Make sure to keep all portions of the stone wet for the entire 10 minutes.  If any area begins to dry, rub the wet sealer around the area to keep the area wet.

 

Step 3 – Buff Off

After soaking for 10 minutes, use a different clean dry cloth to buff dry the entire surface.  Buffing dry assures that no sealer is allowed to dry on the surface causing streaks.  If any streaks do occur, simply re-wet the streaks with sealer and rub out the streaks, then buff dry.

 

If you are not satisfied with the results, please contact Marblelife Customer Care for free assistance in achieving the desired results.

MARBLELIFE… Helping Make Your Life Easier.

MARBLELIFE® Marble Gloss Conditioner 16oz

September 16, 2013 – 6:26 pm

MARBLELIFE  MARBLE GLOSS CONDITIONER – (41220-16)

Many refer to this type of product as a polish, however, with marble, travertine and other natural stone they are actually referring to a conditioner. Gloss Conditioner is a great way to add a richer look to the stones color and shine.  This conditioner is the final step in caring for your marble, travertine or other natural stone.  The difference between boring looking marble and wow looking marble is MARBLELIFE Marble Gloss Conditioner.  It’s a safe, easy to use, odorless product that should be in every vanity or cabinet supporting a marble countertop.

Marblelife Marble Gloss Conditioner is part of the MARBLELIFE Marble Counter & Table Top Kits, which include everything you need to keep your marble, & travertine looking great.

Checkout the Following Marble Care Kits:

Marble Counter & Table Top Kit
Marble Counter & Table Top Kit with Buffer

WARNING:  Do not use this product on floors or steps as it can make the surface too slippery, possibly resulting in a slip and fall.

 

Product Directions:

Before using MARBLELIFE’s Gloss Conditioner you should consider whether you have sealed your natural stone.  Sealing your stone is highly recommended and should be done before applying a gloss conditioner as a gloss conditioner will interfere with the adherence of a sealer.

Needed Supplies: (see Marble Counter & Table Top Kits)

 

Step 1 – Clean

First clean the area thoroughly with MARBLELIFE Marble & Travertine Cleaner to assure the all the oils and dirt have been removed from within the pores of the marble.  (If a deep cleaning procedure has not been done on this surface, it is highly recommended that the marble is first deep cleaned and then sealed before being conditioned.)

Step 2 – Wipe On & Soak

After cleaning the surface as described in Step 1, shake bottle and apply MARBLELIFE Marble Gloss Conditioner to clean cloth then apply to the marble surface in a circular rubbing motion.  The objective is to work as much of the Gloss Conditioner into the marble as possible.  Then allow the Gloss Conditioner to soak on the counter for an hour.

Step 3 – Buff Off

After Step 2, use a clean dry cloth to buff off the excess Gloss Conditioner from the marble surface.  The surface may have an oily film for a few days until the conditioner has completely been absorbed into the marble.

 

If you are not satisfied with the results, please contact MARBLELIFE Customer Care of free assistance in achieving the desired results.

 

MARBLELIFE… Helping Make Your Life Easier.

Natural Stone Care Made Easy

March 20, 2017 – 5:30 pm

Stone surfaces are in high demand these days not just for their durability, but for their beauty as well.  With such unique and beautiful counter tops, floors, and outdoor surfaces, it’s essential to use cleaners made especially for those surfaces.  Grocery store cleaning products seem inexpensive, but they are mostly acidic and can cause damage to your natural stone surfaces.  Tile and grout needs special care as well.

 

If you have chosen marble, granite, or travertine for your home or business, acidic cleaners can cause a variety of problems for the stone and the tile and grout.  Did you know that acid is used to remove excess grout from brick and tile? So, why use an acidic cleaner when it actually is damaging your surface?

 

Acidic cleaners also cause dullness because the acids dissolve calcium carbonate which is the chemical the grout is made of. Acids also cause fading of color and brightness to the surfaces. The only solution is using an acid-free cleaner, and MARBLELIFE® cleaners are all acid free. We take great care to make safe, non-toxic cleaners that enhance your natural stone surfaces. Our cleaners will bring your stone back to life. Our products are also affordable.

 

Our products were developed over many years by experts in stone care. A lot of research goes into each product. We use safe solvents and surfactants that clean, degrease, and shine. Our products are used in commercial buildings, hotels, and other businesses as well as in residences.  Once you discover the effectiveness of our products, you’ll never use a store-bought product again.

 

Remember, MARBLELIFE® doesn’t just sell you the products. We are here for you long after the sale to keep your natural stone surfaces looking brand new.  You have our guarantee!

By Laurie - Posted in Quick Tips - Comments (0)

Debunked Myth: Cleaning With Water

October 31, 2016 – 2:03 pm

Water is an amazing element on this Earth. It houses animals, cleans, hydrates, and gives life. However, as amazing as this element is, you can’t depend on it for everything. One of the things you can’t depend on water for is cleaning your natural stone countertops. The myth that using water for your marble and granite countertops will be safe is actually false. Would you wash your dishes with only water? Or perhaps take a shower with just water? Well, of course not, unless you wanted to do a bad job at cleaning. The same goes for water and natural stone. Read on to learn more about the alternatives.

 

Debunking The Water Myth

 

Firstly, water is not something that can remove oil and grease, the most common elements that get stuck in between the pores and crevices of your countertops and grout. A build up over time can cause stains, dulling, and an odor.

 

Secondly, water doesn’t kill bacteria or viruses. These pathogens live in and among the oils trapped within the pores of the countertop and can be a health hazard to anyone interacting with it.

 

Thirdly, water cannot remove residue left on the surface and results in a dulling surface. Then, individuals will run out to the store and typically buy a generic polish or something similar to fix the issue. However, these polishes just contribute to the compounding of residue on the surface and in the pores leading to eventual damage.

 

In conclusion, water is doing nothing and if anything it’s actually damaging your stone surfaces.

What’s The Solution?

 

We’re not here to just tell you that your cleaning methods are incorrect; we’re also here to provide a solution. Simply applying the same methods will not yield your desired results. What you’ll need is some quality cleaning products that actually adhere to the facts. You want something that will emulsify oils so that they can be lifted away, along with other undesirable elements.

 

Instead you’ll want a quality and proven product that the professionals swear by. Those products are from MARBLELIFE. Why? MARBLELIFE has over 25 years of experience in stone care and hosts North America’s largest network of certified craftsmen. That means they’ve been developing their methods and products for a long time and have seen them be widely successful.

 

You can employ products such as MARBLELIFE’s Marble and Travertine Cleaner for basic upkeep. Then you can seal your stone to keep oils out of the cracks with MARBLELIFE’s Stone Sealer. And finally, you can use MARBLELIFE’s Marble Polish for any natural stone countertop to bring back any lost shine! They have a product for all of your stone care needs. Plus, if you don’t have time, or simply don’t have a desire to fix up your countertops, then they can service your stone for you.

 

Whichever route you go, just be sure it doesn’t involve cleaning with water. Don’t put your stone at risk, and most importantly don’t put your health at risk.

 

Clean your countertops and floors right with MARBLELIFE products!

By Laurie - Posted in Quick Tips - Comments (0)

Debunked Myth: Cleaning With Dish Soap Is Not Okay

October 3, 2016 – 5:04 pm

Men cleaning the dishes

You’ve probably often contemplated the methods of your cleaning and perhaps you continued to clean with those same techniques despite your apprehensions. Because cleaning is still cleaning even if it isn’t the best way, right? Something is better than nothing, right? Well, not exactly. If you’re going to keep your place clean, then you might as well take a few minutes to learn the proper ways to disinfect and clean to avoid long-term damages or illness. One serious cleaning mistake you could be making has to do with dish soap. It can damage and leave residue, so you’ll ultimately want to learn what the alternative is.

 

Dish Soap Won’t Get The Job Done

 

Dish soap is best used for its purpose: washing dishes. If you’re using it to clean your countertops simply because the product is readily available, then you are allowing for residue to build up and inconveniently dull your granite, marble, and grout. This is due to dish soap containing oils that will be trapped in the porous openings of your stone surfaces.

 

Even if you rinse a rag and sponge several times, you’ll notice that there is enough residue so that suds can be created time and time again. Dish soap is made for when there is excess water to be used, but counter cleaning isn’t a place for water, unless you enjoy flooding of your floors and surrounding pieces. The residue will build up much like soap scum in a shower even if it isn’t visible and dull your surfaces over time. This is not positively contributing to your home’s aesthetic or your financial budget.

 

So What’s The Alternative?

 

It’s not so much in how you wipe down your counters or how often you clean, so much as it actually has to really do with your product. You want a product that is acid free and surfactant, meaning that they contain molecules that are able to lift deposits of grease out of the pores.

 

While being mindful of quality and cost, there is one surefire product that you should use. That is Marblelife’s InterCare Cleaner. This cleaner has a non-acidic base and has been developed by professionals who have been in the stone care industry for over 25 years.

 

The InterCare Cleaner is a great all-around product that fits the description of everything you need to clean your marble and travertine countertops. It’s ready to use, has a proven record of capability, is streak free, and gets rid of oils and residue with absolute ease. It’s also a great general cleaner and only $8.95 on Marblelife’s website!

 

Also, try Marblelife’s Granite Countertop Cleaner for best results on granite.

For everyone concerned about their dish soap cleaning methods, it only takes a very small investment to ensure you’re cleaning the right way. Dish soap isn’t all-in-one cleaner. Leave the dish soap to the dish washing process and that’s all.

 

This myth has been debunked, so now you know. Dish soap isn’t all you thought it was.

By Laurie - Posted in Quick Tips - Comments (0)

Trump Or Hilary? Clean is Clean

July 2, 2016 – 1:07 pm

Bathroom Tile Restoration Before & AfterWe face an interesting and likely bombastic election season in front of us.  Regardless what we hear and what we believe, the one thing we can all appreciate is …clean.

Today, when more Americans are dying from secondary infections secured while visiting a hospital for an unrelated ailment, we are becoming more and more aware of how important good hygiene really is.

We see this becoming more and more apparent.  The number 1 complaint of office building tenants for the past 10 years?  Dirty bathroom grout.

We sense it in our own lives, how may times have we opted to not return to a restaurant because of a bad bathroom experience.

Now as we enter the election cycle, and family and friends are over to “Vote” on our home, lets make sure we put our best foot forward.

Voted best cleaner by MARBLELIFE labs for the past 25 years?  MARBLELIFE Marble & Travertine Cleaner.  Best Cleaner for Granite?  MARBELIFE Granite & Quartz Cleaner.  Best Cleaner for Tile & Grout?  MARBLELIFE Tile & Grout Cleaner.

Any why not we have spent 25 years studying this problem, so that we fully understand the cause, and how to eliminate it.

If you have stained grout – CALL US – we can have it resolved in a day.  Not cleaned, but resolved.  When we walk you through the science it immediately becomes clear we have solved this problem.  From here forward you will never have a stained grout issue again.

Our cleaners are HONEST.  None of our cleaners include any waxes designed to trick the eye into thinking its clean by depositing a gloss coating that will build up over time.  No, our goal is to clean down to the surface free of dirt and oils for an honest clean.

We voted it the best…. And so do 25 years of clients.

By Laurie - Posted in Quick Tips - Comments (0)
    • FLOOR CLEANER FRUSTRATION?
    PERHAPS IT’S DAMAGED, NOT DIRTY
    SEE IMAGES HERE
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