The following is the summarized version of our industry’s benchmark piece of educational literature: “Maintenance Guidelines for Residential Stone Installation” that’s available in the pay-per-download section, Educational Literature. This shortest version will not give you all the information that you need, but it’ll give you a “taste” of what’s in store for you! And … It’s on the house!

Stone Maintenance Do's n Don’ts

Is mercantile granite really a good choice for a kitchen countertop? Confused by all the rumors about the possibility that mercantile granite could harbor bacteria? How did those rumors come about to begin with? The following free article tells you all about it, and what some poor loser “salesmen” wouldn’t viciously say to turn things in their favor. This one too is on the house!

Does Granite Harbor Bacteria ?

Most Marble owners have a huge misconception when it comes to "marble cleaning". I would say that 99.9 percent of the time, most customers don't really want their marble cleaned at all, they just want the factory shine that was present when the stone was first installed to be restored. This my friends takes a lot more then just "cleaning". To get the details check out my latest article below.

"Marble Cleaning" Truths and Myths

Penetrating sealers – better known as “impregnators” – are products designed to protect your natural stone. Staining happens when liquids, or other substances of a greasy nature, are absorbed through the natural pores of the stone. Natural stones are, to different degrees, absorbent. Some are very compact and virtually non-absorbent while others are very loose and, consequently, extremely absorbent. Regardless of which stone you have, you are going to need a good sealer. Here is a document designed to tech you about the options available to you.

The Bare Truth About Impregnators Sealers
 

Does you granite need to be sealed? And if so, how badly does it need the application of an impregnator? Do you think that your fabricator/installer is going to do the proper job? They probably (hopefully) will, but … You better read the following article!

A Good Sealing Job

Do you need to dust your good ol’ lead-suit off before you approach your granite countertop? Should you run out and purchase a state-of-the-art Geiger counter before selecting your “granite”? Read all about what some poor looser “salesmen” have to do to try to steer you from one of the most beautiful products of Mother Nature!

The new “religion”: the “Sealing Cult!” You must seal everything in sight that doesn’t move! And if does move, wait ‘til it’s still and than seal that, too!! The first requirement for the members of the “sealing cult” is to have their brains sealed with massif doses of impregnating/sealer (hopefully our own MB-4!) may the gods forbid that any intelligence had a chance to sink in!!

Are generic cleaning products, such as a glass-cleaner, or dish-soap, etc. safe or proper to clean natural stone? We don’t think so! Read this free article and then draw your own conclusions!

IF YOU FOUND THE FOUR FREE
ARTICLES ABOVE USEFUL,
WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU
IN OUR “EDUCATIONAL LITERATURE” SECTION!

THE MOST ANCIENT INDUSTRY IN THE WORLD

     It’s easy to say that ‘marble is beautiful’.  But while easy, it is also meaningless.  That is because, like anything else, marble will look beautiful or not according to its use.  Marble requires in every phase of processing, from excavation to its final application, a particular delicacy of treatment.  This treatment comes from more than a mere know-how and much more than technical knowledge.  Marble must be understood and respected and only when these sensibilities are applied, will it be beautiful.  Marble is aristocratic and rewards those who love and really understand it.  It is a result of this very nobility that makes marble the natural choice of anyone looking to create an everlasting and functional work of art.

To work with marble, to know it, to understand it, is therefore difficult.  But if one succeeds in discovering its secrets, it gives them unequalled results.

Maintenance of natural stone is not much more difficult than any other material you’re familiar with.  The difference is mostly in the cleaning agents used.  Natural stones – especially calcite-based stones such as marble, travertine, limestone and the like– have a delicate chemical composition that may interact in strange and damaging ways with the chemistry of cleaning solutions that were not specifically formulated for the task.  Using general household detergents, abrasives, acids or alkali solutions will damage the integrity of any natural surface.  Food and drinks can cause staining which may require time consuming work to remove.  Applying the proper water and oil repellent/sealer can help eliminate staining, and the expense of restoring a discoloured natural surface.

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last updated: 04/01/04