Care and Maintenance

Q. My fireplace surround is a honey colored marble which has become stained black from what I assume is smoke/soot from building fires in it. These stains appear to be below the surface, that is to say that the marble retains its sheen and most of... Read More

Q. My cat peed on the carpet, and it soaked thru to the concrete. The advice I've gotten included dousing the area with a water/bleach combination, "Enzyme D" product, or soaking the area with hydrogen peroxide then painting over it with Kilz... Read More

Q. What is the best cleaner to use on limestone floors? The floors in my bathroom are starting to look very dirty, with grayish marks and spots all over. A. It sounds like your floors have been etched -- probably by using an acid based cleaner. Many... Read More

Q. Is there any way to bring back the shine of dull spots on polished travertine? The cat threw up and we didn't discover it until the next morning. Then our son sprayed some floor cleaner on it and didn't get it all up so there are dull... Read More

Q. How can I remove white stains from rubbing alcohol dripping on my saltillo tile? The tile is sealed but the sealant probably needs to be redone.  A. The alcohol has removed the existing sealer. The best thing to do is to strip the existing... Read More

Q. I have 2" x 2" porcelain tiles for my shower floor. It accumulates a dark soap scum, etc. sticky buildup that is hard to remove. A regular scrub brush does not cut through to clean the tile. What products/tools are the best and safest to use. I... Read More

Q. How do I take wax off a travertine floor? A. You will need to use an alkaline stripper / degreaser. Be careful to follow the instructions on the label. Fred Hueston Chief Technical Director, SurpHaces President, Stone Forensics Read More

Q. What product of yours will enhance and remove yellow urine stains around toilet...without...having a professional come in? A. This is a question we get quite a bit... well, except for the how to enhance urine stains part. By the way, we don't... Read More

Q. Can you polish Mexican pavers? A. No. Mexican pavers typically have a patina applied at the factory. This patina is very thin and any attempt at polishing could remove it. I would recommend if you want it to shine apply a topical coating made for... Read More

Q. How do you wax hone finish travertine floors?  A. We do not recommend waxing travertine floors or any other stone floor for the following reasons: Waxes are topical coatings which are much softer than the stone and will mar and scuff easily.... Read More