Focus Magazine of SWFL Swimsuit Heat Wave | Page 91

of the brand’s two most popular products in one solution for those
who are on the go. “The additional benefits of polishing these
stone surfaces are that it helps resist fingerprints and water spots
and it reinforces the protective seal.”
Homeowners should often test the integrity of the protective seal,
even scheduling it like they do when changing batteries twice
yearly at daylight saving time. Here’s an easy way to do that: Pour
water (about 3 inches in diameter) on the surface in several locations and let it sit for 30 minutes. If you see a dark mark or ring,
the water is penetrating the stone and it’s time to reseal.
Protect Your Stone Investment
Beyond the basics, stone care expert Lenny Sciarrino offers some
additional tips for caring for your natural stone kitchen and bathroom surfaces:
• Don’t use everyday household cleaners, as they can be too
harsh on stone and lead to costly repair or replacement.
• Seal regularly for the best protection. Have a stone backsplash?
It’s just as important to seal.
• Keep stone floors safe with mats and regular damp mopping to
catch abrasive particles that can scratch the surface. Lift, don’t
drag, furniture to avoid risk of scratching floors. Don’t polish floors
— they will become too slippery and will risk injury.
• Polish regularly (except stone floors) to increase the shine, color
and beauty of your stone and reinforce its protective seal.
• Use safe-on-stone scrubbing pads and brushes when cleaning
natural stone.
• Polishing stone shower walls adds protection to help prevent
etching, water spotting and soap scum build up.
• Keep grout lines clean by using a cutting board on food-prep
surfaces.
• Water spots on stone surf