SPECIAL EDITION – AUGUST 2013
hautestone
STONE CARE LOVE YOUR ENVIRONMENT – ENHANCE IT WITH STONE
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www.hautestone.com
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MARBLE Overview - Marble is another popular choice of different countertop materials. Commercially, any stone that can be polished is also known as marble, with the exception of granite. This includes serpentine, travertine, limestone and onyx. Often called the “green” marble, serpentine marble is not actually marble but looks very similar and is more stain and spill proof than marble. Appearance - Marble comes in a wide variety of colors and with different vein colors and sizes. Beneficial Features - Natural marble is very hard, making it a versatile choice. However, protect marble from water, spills and stains. Marble Care- Clean up any water or spills on marble as quickly as possible and consider adding a sealant. Do not use marble in high traffic areas of the home where dirt, sand or other particles may grind into the marble, which can permanently damage or mark the stone. Never leave a chemical, citric or acidic item or substance on the marble. Clean marble with a clean, slightly damp cloth and then dry with a soft towel. Avoid bleach, acidic cleaners or any abrasive household cleaners with marble, as etching and dullness may occur.
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QUARTZITE Quartzite is a very chemically resistant stone as well as being very hard (approximately 7 on the Mohs hardness scale). Due to its chemical composition and the two processes involved in its formation it is also very stable, as it comprises almost no other soluble minerals. However the crystal structure does have a very fine network of cracks that occur between crystals and this enables moisture to penetrate in both directions. Hence quartzite is still a porous stone with average water absorption of between 0.1 and 1.4%. Unlike granite the crystal structure of quartzite is on average larger making it very difficult for quartzite to be cut totally smooth or polished. In fact one of the main ways you can usually identify quartzite from granite is by the way quartzite fractures across or through the grains. Cutting granite is more like cutting butter where as quartzite is like cutting bread. The protection and maintenance of quartzite is very similar to granite in that both have reasonable water absorption making them susceptible to below surface staining. However due to the larger crystal structure of quartzite and the purity of the impervious quartz crystal and silica cement, removing deep stains can be more challenging than granite. In most cases extraction or penetration is by way of the small network of fine cracks that exist between the crystals. The large crystal network also creates rough or textured surfaces that are much more prone to surface soiling. This means more attention has to be paid to routine maintenance than the smoother granite. The texture also impacts on installation where the texture makes it more difficult to remove cement or epoxy based grouts.
When selecting protection and maintenance products for quartzite all of the above characteristics need to be taken into account. The surface of quartzite is relatively dense making it difficult for developments in nanotechnology wetting agents will eventually change this situation). Application of the sealer is best done prior to installation to ease grout clean up which otherwise is very difficult due to the rough surface texture. Routine maintenance is best done the same way as granite neutral
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GRANITE Â Overview Granite is one of the most popular of different countertop materials. Appearance There are many different types of minerals in granite, some of which appear like small, shiny flecks or longer veins of varying colors. Granite itself comes in many different natural colors and can be polished or finished in many different ways. Beneficial Features The stone is naturally durable and water resistant with antibacterial and stain proof characteristics. Granite is also scratch and heat resistant. Granite Care Use a granite sealant for an additional layer of protection. Clean with a clean, damp cloth and use a small amount of soapy water for heavy residue or debris. Avoid ammonia, bleach or any cleaning products with solvents or caustics, as this will remove the sealant.
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QUARTZ / CAESARSTONE This finish requires simple and routine care to maintain. Cleaning with a damp cloth and a liquid detergent will do the job. Because Caesar Stone® is impervious to stains, it will withstand daily exposure. Just wipe away and the surface is like new again. If necessary, a non-abrasive cleanser such as Soft Scrub Liquid Gel with Bleach or Comet Soft Cleanser Cream With Bleach can be used. Adhered materials like food, gum or nail polish can be scraped away with a plastic putty knife; any marks left by the blade can be removed with Soft Scrub Liquid Gel. Thoroughly rinse the surface with clean water to remove residue. Stubborn Stains or Dried Spills Any multi-purpose cleaner or detergent can be used on these stains. For extra-stubborn spills, try using Soft Scrub gel with bleach on a cloth. If it still persists, use a non-abrasive scouring pad to shift the dirt. It won't damage the tough surface. Cleaning liquids like bleach are also good for removing stains that seem to be hard to remove at first. Spot Removal To remove adhered materials, first scrape away the excess with a sharp blade. If there are any gray metal marks on the surface one of the regular cleaning agents will remove it. Finally, wash and rinse the surface in the normal way. direct contact for a long time with very hot pots and always use a hot plate or trivet Honed Finish Caesarstone's HONED FINISH will require more daily maintenance than our polished finishes. Since there is more exposed surface area with honed finishes, metal marks, finger prints and other signs of daily living will show on honed material. Most of these marks can be easily removed with little effort and cleaning products such as a white Scotch Bright pad, Windex and for tough stains, Softscrub with bleach.
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SOAP STONE The only maintenance required for soapstone (steatite) is the application of mineral oil to enhance the natural darkening process the stone goes through.
Once mineral oil is applied, the stone will turn into a very dark charcoal gray, sometimes black. Often times, varieties of soapstone will keep a hint of green. Steatite (soapstone or soaprock) is virtually heat proof and used in the construction of masonry heaters because of its excellent thermal qualities.
It is also used in creating pizza stones, cooking pots, oven interiors and numerous related applications. You can take a pot right from your stove and place it on your soapstone countertops without harm.
Cleaning a Soapstone Countertop Any common household cleaner can be used to clean soapstone counter surfaces. Chemicals and acids do not harm it. However, we do recommend that you use regular soap and water because harsher solvents may remove the mineral oil treatment, therefore generating more maintenance. Soapstone, being softer than granite and marble, is also more prone to scratches. The great advantage is that any scratches can be easily removed with a light sanding and/or mineral oil.
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ONYX Since onyx absorbs liquids quickly, it is important to wipe up spills immediately to prevent damage to countertops. Acidic liquids such as vinegar, wine or fruit juice may leave permanent marks even with attentive clean-up. Sealing onyx countertops with food-resistant sealant can help prevent stains, dulling and etching from occurring. The sealant should be applied after installation and before use, by a countertop installation professional. To clean, wipe onyx countertops using a soft cloth. Use non-acidic cleaning products to remove dirt and increase shine. Do not spray cleaner directly onto the countertop. Spray onto the dry cloth instead, to prevent the stone from absorbing the cleaner, which could cause permanent damage. Wipe away any excess cleaner immediately. Onyx is translucent, which means the stone lets in more light than other natural stone products. While this can create a luminous effect, you will have difficulty hiding strains and scratches. Natural cleaning products or those recommended by the manufacturer are best for cleaning onyx. Use a cutting board when preparing meals on an onyx countertop. Like marble or serpentine surfaces, onyx scratches easily. These scratches are usually permanent and cannot be buffed or polished away.
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LIMESTONE Remove all grit and surface dirt using a canister vacuum cleaner. Grit is the primary abrasive that breaks down the sealer on natural tiles. When the sealer breaks down, its protective quality is compromised, allowing stains and marks to occur more quickly. Daily floor cleaning should include using an untreated dust mop as well as mats to trap dirt at entryways. o
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Scrub your tiles with a pH-neutral stone cleanser that is specifically approved for limestone. Typically, these are sprays, but if you have a large area, there are products that can be mopped on and rinsed off. You will need to dry the floor with towels, as you go, to remove the dirt from your floor. Do not wash limestone with household soap and water. Soaps will build up and make the surface look scummy. Use your toothbrush to remove stains. Work in a circle from outside to inside, mopping up with a clean rag. If the stain persists, there are special stone and grout cleaners for limestone that may be stronger than the a cleanser or designed for specific stains like oil and grease stains. There are also poultice products available for hard stains. These work by a capillary action and take as much as 48 hours to draw a stain out. Rinse your scrubbed tiles with soft or distilled water and immediately wipe dry. Do not leave water or fluids to sit on your tiles. Soft drinks, vinegar, fruit juices and wine, as well as many bathroom products, are just some of the liquids that etch and stain limestone.
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TRAVERTINE Travertine, marble, and granite are stone There is a reason stone has been used as a building material for thousands of years. It is durable and attractive. Stone will outlast most of the materials used to build your entire home.
SAFE: Water, Granite and/or Natural Stone specific products, Water and rubbing alcohol mix 16:1 (a.k.a. 1 quart water to 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol) OCCASIONAL USE ONLY: Soap and water mix (soap scum will build up and dull the stone, yes, even if you rinse afterward) NOT SAFE: Bleach, Ammonia, Vinegar (and water/vinegar mixes), generic cleaners and degreasers (Windex, 409, Fantastik, etc.), Lemon/Lime/Citrus juice (pretty much anything with a citrus scent), Abrasives (steel wool, Brillo pads, brushes, etc.), CLR
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DESIGNARTLIFESTYLE
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Fine Art
WALLPAPERS
Kasia Kay Art Projects is pleased to present Fine Art Wallpapers - the exclusive collection of wallpaper designs by the gallery’s selected artists. Fine Art Wallpapers are the perfect design enhancement for - homes, hotels and unique environments that want to enhance their already artistic and eclectic spaces. Choose from a selection of designed wallpapers in the collection or have your own vision curated by Kasia Kay and your selected artist. This unique collaboration of living and art, dishes up beauty, glamor and design on any wall, and will transform any environment into a living piece of art. “Powerful, mysterious, and seductive”. Enigmatic details, in a wide variety of colors and designs. Wallpapers are available in standard and custom sizes and are universally priced. For more information contact Kasia Kay at- info@kasiakaygallery.com
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“The fusion of art onto wallpaper, brings livable art into every room and environment.” Kasia Kay Founder of Fine Art Wallpapers.
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GIVING BACK Donate Amani's mission to rescue homeless children from the dangers of life on the street would not be possible without the support of concerned individuals such as you. Your generosity has the power to restore hope to vulnerable children. Amani Children’s Home provides caring and holistic support to the nearly 300 children who we have rescued from a life on the streets. When you become a sponsor by giving monthly to Amani, you make it possible for us to reach out to homeless children in a sustainable way and give them a future filled with hope. You are transforming the life of a child. A convenient aspect of the monthly sponsorship program is that there are different levels of giving, so that you can choose the level that is right for you, with the knowledge that your donations are making a significant difference to the kids. Amani is a small, grassroots organization with no overseas offices, so we are able to ensure that donations go directly to care for the children. Your monthly sponsorship will go a long way in Tanzania.
www.amanikids.org
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BECKERWORKS If you have any questions regarding the care of your stone, please feel free to contact us with any time.
www.beckerworksltd.com
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OM For The Mom - Book
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