Thursday, February 16, 2012

How to Clean Grout


How to Clean Grout: A Few Simple Steps

For all of you DIYers, cleaning your grout can be something that easily accomplished on a Saturday morning.  For smaller jobs like in bathrooms and small kitchens areas, a simple mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water can easily clean that grout that's become dirty.  This mixture is a simple way to do the job yourself.  But of course, when all else fails, there's always your local tile restoration company.

Simply combine a half of a cup of hydrogen peroxide and one cup of water and mix inside a spray bottle.  Total cost?  Maybe $1.50.



After you've mixed your solution, spray on the moldy areas of your tile grout.  Allow it to set and take a small toothbrush or other brush and scrup away.  You should be able to see the difference right away.  Using the mixture on a regular basis will help prevent mold from building up in the future.

Sometimes, the grout maybe stained a little worse than usual.  Hiring a grout cleaning company is something to look into if this in fact the case.  Grout cleaning companies can usually finish the job with a few hours, by way of their equipment and experience.  So if you're not looking to be on your hands and knees scrubbing the floor with a toothbrush, give your local tile restoration company a call and they'll be glad to give you a hand.

Monday, February 6, 2012

How to Care for your Marble


When you're looking to clean marble without the help of a marble restoration company, it's important to get one important fact out of the way.  Marble is not granite and vice versa.  Often the two are confused and considered to be one in the same, and since this happens often, homeowners make the mistake of cleaning the two stones with the same products.  This can often results in  damaging the stone or scuffing it in a way that may cause it to lose it's natural shine.  Using vinegar on your marble can cause serious issues.  While vinegar is a great cleanser for most surfaces around the house, stay away from using it on marble surfaces and floor.
For larger surfaces, consider an expert marble restoration company.
The best way to clean marble counters and floors is with a soft rag and some warm water.  Use this method as your daily cleaning method and you'll ensure a nice healthy look to your marble for years.

When cleaning marble floors, stick to non harsh methods like soft microfiber materials.  Combine with hot water if you have some scuffs or marks on the floor.

When you've completed your daily cleaning of your marble, it's time to get it polished.  For small areas, like a countertop or small floor area, simply buff with a chamois in small circles.  This is a relatively simple way to create a nice shine on your surface.  However, for larger areas and floors throughout your home, it's best to call an expert marble polishing company or marble restoration company.  These companies are outfitted with the tools and products that will give your home floor an impecable shine.

Monday, January 30, 2012

Marble Refinishing and Marble Protection


When living in South Florida, or Miami for that matter, it's important for your home to keep up its shine.  One particular way is to ensure your marble floor is gleaming.  Marble and granite restoration is a practice that can either be satisfying for a homeowner, or an outright headache.  Smaller jobs aren't that hard to accomplish, while the bigger jobs should be handled by a pro.  Basic wear and tear on your marble floor can leave it looking dull and without luster.  Simple cleaning and maintenence steps will ensure the life of your marble floor and keep it shining in that South Florida sun.
Marble restoration brings new life to this Miami Lobby
It's important that you realzie what and what can't be used to clean marble or during tile restoration.  Marble should be protected from all types of harsh products and chemicals.  Everyday items that can be found in the kitchen, like lemon juice and other acidic fruits and liquids can cause havvoc on your tile or marble.  While the stains don't have to be permanent, it's always a good idea to watch out for even minor spills.  In the event of a minor spill on your marble, use a gentle stone cleaner and gently whipe away the spill.  Not allowing the liquid time to set in will help in the recovery process.

An extra step to protecting your marble or tile is to properly seal it.  There are plenty of marble refinishing companies and marble restoration companies that can assist in the larger jobs.

Monday, January 16, 2012

How to Clean Tile and Grout


If your home or office space has tile floors, then you know how difficult it can be to clean them in an easy, effective manner, that won't harm yourself or your family.  Here's an easy, effective way to clean tile and grout.

For those smaller, DIY jobs, I would highly suggest some Oxygen bleach and good old elbow grease.  Oxygen bleach is non toxic and is color safe. Because of its non toxic nature it won't produce harmful fumes that can cause blurry vision, breathing issues and won't stain clothing and fabrics.  This is meant for small, DIY jobs, that may save you some time.  For larger or more difficult stains, it's best to contact your local stone restoration or marble restoration company.

To get things going, just combine some powdered oxygen bleach with water and mix until disolved.  Next, pour the mixture over your tile to ensure it's covering the grout lines as well.  Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes.  To clean grout effectively, let stand and repeat if necessary.

After the time has past, lightly scrub the tiles as you normally would.  If your tiles and grout are still looking a little dingy, it's best to call a profession tiling cleaning company.  Most professional tile and stone restoration companies will make your floors look like new AND save you additional time rescrubbing your floors.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

General Cleaning and Care for Natural Stone


ESSENTIAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR NATURAL STONE SURFACES


Cleaning Procedures & Recommendations

General Cleaning - Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner designated safe for natural
stone. Use a clean mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Don't use
more than the recommended amount of any cleaning product. Too much may leave a film,
causing streaks. Change rinse water frequently. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar
or other acids on marble, travertine or limestone as these can etch the surface of the stone. Do
not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the
surface.

Floor Surfaces - (For newly installed/restored floors, refer to our Stone Care Tips for important
instructions.) Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand,
dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or
area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that can
scratch a stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Do not
use vacuum cleaners that are worn, the metal or plastic attachments may scratch the surface.

Bath and Other Wet Areas - in the bath/shower or other wet areas, using a squeegee after each
use can minimize soap scum.

Counter/Vanity Top Surfaces - Clean your countertops daily with a soft cloth or paper towel and
a residue free pH neutral cleaner designated safe for natural stone. Ask an expert at Classic
Marble Restoration, Inc. for product questions pertaining to their safety and usage with natural
stone.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Marble Restoration Fort Lauderdale


Maintaining the original, natural shine of marble can be a tricky task.  If you're looking for companies that specialize in marble polishing in the Fort Lauderdale area, there are plenty of choices.  Initially, the DIY homeowner may think to do it themselves.  However, this can be a project that might be left to the professional marble polishing companies.

When it comes to marble polishing Fort Lauderdale residents should look to the pros to handle the larger restoration jobs.  With the proper tools and equipment a marble polishing company should be able to do the job efficiently and with minimal headaches.  Most importantly they'll get the job done correctly the first time.

If your looking for marble restoration Fort Lauderdale residents should look to the pros.  As we get closer to the holidays, this is a job that can be rather tedious and crowd your day.  During these hectic holiday times, with friends, family and guets stopping by, it's best to call a marble restoration company in Fort Lauderdale to expidite the job.

Happy Holidays!                                      

Friday, December 16, 2011

How to Repair Marble


For many homeowners, upgrading your home's kitchen with marble or granite counter tops is a good way to add value to your home.  Unfortunately, the addition of quality marble to your kitchen can be very expensive.  To protect your investment it's important to stay vigilant against wear and tear.  All too common are the cracks or chips that may appear in your marble counter tops.  From time to time we get questions like; How to repair marble?  How to repair chipped marble?  How to restore marble?

Repairing Chipped Marble Can Be Easy

Here is a quick way to repair using the DIY method:

When repairing chipped marble, ensure that the area has been cleaned thouroughly and dried with a very absorbent fabirc.  Something similar to acetone is strong enough to clean the surface, while not degrading the marble.
Next, adding a poly-epoxide or similar bonding material, place a small amount on the bottom of the chip and place it back into the divet.  Apply pressure for a few minutes to ensure that it's firmly in place and hold tightly.  Once secured, be sure to whipe away and epoxy or glue that has been left behind.

If you're looking to repair marble or restore marble in your home, it's always good to consult with a specialist in this area.  One such specialist is Classic Marble Restoration based out of Miami, Florida.  Classic Marble specializes in restoration and cleaning of marble and stone.