Problems and Solutions

Which stone / tile do you have questions on?

Q: I saw your stone maintenance products on your website. How do I purchase them?

A: Please give us a call at 713-956-8291 to place your order. We will take your order, give you freight charges, and charge your credit card. You can also complete the order form. Please see our Best Sellers page if you are not quite sure what you need to buy.

Marble

Q: We used a regular tile and grout cleaner in our marble shower. Why is the shine completely gone, and how can I get it back?

A: Unfortunately, you have used an acid cleaner that etched, or burned, the marble. The only way to restore the shine and color is to call International Stoneworks.

For the proper maintenance of your marble (following the restoration), please browse the Residential Products page for more information on products for sealing and maintaining your stone.

• For the daily or weekly cleaning of marble shower, we recommend Akemi Crystal Clean.
• We recommend that marble be sealed (2 applications) with Seal & Go® S water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer.
• Maintain the shine and protection of the non-floor marble or granite with Stone Essentials™ Countertop Polish spray.

Q: I have a new marble floor, vanities, and shower in my master bathroom. Do I need to seal them? I saw a product called Marbrosol on your Web site. Can I use this to polish my marble?

A: We recommend the following:

• Protect your marble and grout with 2 applications of Seal & Go® S water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer.
• Maintain the shine and protection of the non-floor marble surfaces with Stone Essentials™ Countertop Polish spray or Bellinzoni Wax.
• Clean the stone floor as needed with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green and clean the stone tops and showers regularly with Akemi Crystal Clean.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Note: The sealer will not protect the marble against acid, ammonia and other inappropriate chemicals.

Q: How do you clean watermarks on marble shower walls?

A: Please note that "watermarks" are actually light etch marks in the marble. Typically you cannot "clean" them. If the marble shower is a few years old, the marble will probably have to be sanded, polished, and resealed by International Stoneworks. In the meantime, try cleaning with Akemi Crystal Clean and polish with our Stone Essentials™ Countertop Polish to see if it cosmetically hides the watermarks. Countertop Polish contains a liquid wax and some silicone for water-repellency.

For further information on these products, their applications, and their price, please call us or e-mail us.

Q: I recently had black marble countertops installed in my kitchen, and asked for the stone to be sealed before installation. I was told I would be given a bottle of sealer to apply after installation. I applied Aqua Mix Stone Enhancer sealant. However, I am already having problems with citrus juice spills "etching" into the stone as well as water marks. I was told by the installer that because the stone is porous, these stains would eventually evaporate out. This does not appear to be happening.

A: Marble contains calcium carbonate, a chemical substance, which reacts to acids. Sealers such as the Aqua Mix or our Seal & Go ® S are meant to protect marble against grease, coffee, tea, milk, etc. BUT NOT acids such as lemon juice, orange juice, vinegar, etc. I suggest the following procedure to make your life a little bit less stressful regarding your counter top:

1. Clean the top every day with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
2. Maintain the polish and protection with Stone Essentials™ Countertop Polish spray: this spray contains a liquid wax, a cleaner and silicone. Use this spray lightly once a week.
3. Once a month, maintain the polish and protection with the Bellinzoni Professional Wax: this is a paste wax which will further protect the marble.
4. Once a year, call us to hone (sand to remove scratches and etch marks), polish and seal the marble.

Remember, nothing will protect the marble against acids, so I recommend you do the best you can to maintain it while using it until it is time to restore it. Many of our stone care products are available in Houston at certain retail locations.

Q: I've had hurricane damage to my marble floors. My once beautiful marble floor looks dull and discolored. What can I do to get my marble floor back?

A: The removal of shine and the discoloration indicates to me that you have water damage. If the water came from the surface (from flooding for example), the discoloration of marble is most likely from debris. The debris would also remove the shine. I would recommend you damp mop the marble floor with a neutral cleaner such as Lavenet or Lavenet Green and then dry as best as you can with floor fans and dehumidifiers. Then call International Stoneworks to professionally clean, resurface, and bring back the shine with our grinding system. We can also use the poultice method to remove deeper stains. However, in certain cases, some stains may be too deep to remove.

If the water came from underneath the marble, that is a more damaging problem. The water damage is not just on the surface of the stone; it has penetrated throughout the stone from the bottom up. In this case, you need to look into replacing your marble floor.

Q: I have burn marks on my marble after my dog had an accident on the marble. The spots are all over the floor. Do you have a product to clean these spots?

A: Unfortunately, I recommend that you call International Stoneworks Inc. to sand (or grind) and repolish the marble. As you discovered, acids etch (burn) marble and remove the shine. Following the restoration we recommend the following for the maintenance of the marble:
please refer to the Residential Products page to find more information on products for sealing and maintaining your marble.

• For daily cleaning of marble, we recommend a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
• We recommend that the marble be sealed (2 applications) with Seal & Go® S water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer.
• Maintain the shine and protection of the marble walls (not floor) with Bellinzoni Wax.
• Clean at least once a week with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
• Order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: My cat vomited on my marble floor. I tried to clean it right away, but the shine is gone. Help! I thought my marble was sealed!

A: Please note that none of the penetrating sealers in the market (the ones you used or ours) will protect limestone or marble from acid damage. These sealers are meant to protect the stones against non-acid liquids and grease.

• Urine or gastric acids will etch these stones. The only way to remove the etch marks is to "hone" (sand) and repolish the marble.
• You can contact International Stoneworks or try the following:
• Ver Glow #1 white: non-acid honing compound, Followed by
• Ver Glow #2 white: non-acid polishing compound
• Browse the Products link for further information on these products.
• Prices do not include shipping.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: I have a ten year old marble floor that has lost its shine. I thought stones would last forever.

A: Stone actually does last for a very long time. However, the shine on the surface of the stone does not. A 10-year-old marble floor may have to be professionally restored. Call International Stoneworks if you are in or around the Houston area. If this service is not available in your area, you can try:

• Ver Glow #1 white non-acid honing (sanding) compound followed by,
• Ver Glow #2 white non-acid polishing compound.
• Browse the Products link for further information on these products.
• Prices do not include shipping.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: I would like to clean my family's marble tombstones, but there is no electrical outlet in the cemetery. How can I clean and polish these tombstones?

A: As you indicated, it will be difficult to maintain the shine on the marble tombstones. Not just because you don't have electricity, but also because of the elements. My recommendations are as follows:

• Thoroughly clean the marble with a heavy duty alkaline marble cleaner such as Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
• Seal the marble with Seal & Go® S penetrating sealer.
• Polish the marble with the Bellinzoni Wax.
• Repeat once every three months with all these products.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: I have a marble floor and grout that is very dirty. Also, there is a white deposit around the faucets on my red granite kitchen top. Can you advise me on how to resolve these problems?

• For heavy duty cleaning of natural stone floors, we recommend Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
• To clean light calcium deposits around the faucet, clean regularly with Akemi Crystal Clean.
• To clean heavy calcium deposits on granite surfaces (Be careful. This will etch marble & limestone), we recommend TGR (Tile & Grout Restorer).
• To seal all these natural stones, we recommend Seal & Go® S water/stain repellent penetrating sealer. Note: The sealer will not protect the marble against acids.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express

Q: How do I polish a marble floor? Also, how can I remove ring stains from a marble table?

A: To polish the marble floor, call International Stoneworks. In the meantime, you can clean the marble on a regular basis with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green:

• To remove the "ring" (which is actually an etch mark), try our Etch Removing Kit.
• Prices do not include shipping.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Granite

Q: We have just installed a granite countertop in our kitchen and a kitchen island. Do we need to seal it and how can we maintain it?

A: Most granites are resistant to heat and etching (from acids such as lemon juice, orange juice, etc.) However, most granite types are somewhat porous and need to be protected against oils, butter and other greasy ingredients.

• For the daily cleaning of granite, we recommend Akemi Crystal Clean.
• If your granite has never been sealed, we recommend that the granite be sealed (2 applications) with Seal & Go® S water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer. Reseal annually.
• Maintain the shine and protection of the marble countertop with Stone Essentials™ Countertop Polish.
• For grease stains on granite, use our Bellinzoni Mangia Macchia.
• Order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: I have granite countertops in my kitchen and a slate patio that I want to clean on a weekly basis. However I'm trying to be environmentally conscious and reduce my carbon footprint. Can you suggest any products that I can use for my natural stone that are eco-friendly?

A: Absolutely! It is evident that home and business owners are taking part in the "green" movement and want to use products that are environmentally-friendly. For daily or weekly cleaning, I recommend Lavenet Green. It is a biodegradable, VOC compliant product that works just as effectively as regular Lavenet. Also, for the annual sealing of your natural stone, we have Seal & Go® W, which is a water-based, VOC compliant sealer. We have developed a whole line of green products for maintenance, as well as for the restoration of natural stone. Check out our Green Products Page on our Web site for more information.

Q: We recently had a granite top installed on a patio brick wall that houses a barbecue grill. The granite is the ordinary New England type -- what is used for highway curbing or cobblestones. Rain darkens the granite considerably, and the darker color is much more compatible with the brick. I am thinking of using a color enhancer to get this color regardless of the weather. However, I would not want to end up with a shiny, polished look to the granite as that would be too formal for the outdoors. Is there a color enhancer that would give me the look I am seeking -- a darker color but without a wet, shiny surface look? Thank you any help or advice you can provide.

A:Yes, we do have penetrating sealers that darken granite without adding shine. I recommend you review the information on Seal & Go Enhancer S.

I recommend that the following procedure be used to maintain the granite following the sealing:

1. Clean the top as needed with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
2. Once a year, re-seal the granite.

Q: I am the property manager of a medium sized downtown building. Last year, the owners of the building decided to upgrade it and replace our brick paver lobby with shiny black granite. The floor looked great at first, but now on the traffic lanes, the shine is gone and the floor looks gray instead of black. Any suggestions?

A: Granite is a hard stone. Should you want to restore the traffic areas to their original "new" look, you have no choice but to call International Stoneworks. We will grind and polish the granite with a diamond grinding system. Note that this typically is expensive. 
However, there is another system which will allow you to bring back some of the shine and the black color to the granite, and serve as a maintenance program:

1. Hone (sand) the traffic areas of the granite floor with our Granite Glow® powder.
2. Polish with Granite Glow® and Buff & Go® Plus.
3. Clean daily with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green.

Please see the information, MSDS, and instructions for use for all these products on our Web site. Feel free to call us for prices and freight information.

Q: How do I polish and maintain my granite floor?

A: For the weekly cleaning of a granite floor, we recommend Lavenet Ready-to-Use or Lavenet Green Ready-to-Use stone cleaner. Spray Lavenet lightly on the floor, and mop it with a damp cotton mop. You may have to dry the floor with a towel.

For the protection of granite floors, we recommend sealing once a year with Seal & Go® S water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer.

We also offer a maintenance system for polished granite:

1. First polish the worn areas of the granite with a slurry of Granite Glow® and a natural hair pad (wet or dry buffing).
2. Second protect and add color to the granite using a paste of Granite Glow® and 
Buff & Go® Plus buffed dry with a steel wool pad grade 0. Note: This is a maintenance system; it does not replace the grinding system required to restore very worn granite flooring.

• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: My mother-in-law is a perfectionist! She has a brand new granite top in her kitchen. My wife says it would not hurt if I came up with a solution to keep that top shiny since I pride myself in being quite a home improvement expert. Any tips?

A: Yes! First clean the surface with Akemi Crystal Clean, then order some Stone Essentials™ Countertop Polish and she will thank you forever (maybe). 
Do not use Countertop Polish spray on floors.

For further information on these products, their applications, and their price, please call us or e-mail us.

Q: I have flamed granite in front of my house. I would like to protect it but it looks faded. What do you suggest?

A: Seal & Go Enhancer S is a solvent-based penetrating sealer which will slightly darken the granite.

• Order products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: I have a marble floor and grout that is very dirty. Also, there is a white deposit around the faucets on my red granite kitchen top. Can you advise me on how to resolve these problems?

• For heavy duty cleaning of natural stone floors, we recommend Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
• To clean light calcium deposits around the faucet, clean regularly with Akemi Crystal Clean.
• To clean heavy calcium deposits on granite surfaces (Be careful. This will etch marble & limestone), we recommend TGR (Tile & Grout Restorer).
• To seal all these natural stones, we recommend Seal & Go® S water/stain repellent penetrating sealer. Note: The sealer will not protect the marble against acids.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express

Q: I live in England. Can you tell me how to polish my granite floor? I saw Granite Glow® on your Web site. Is Granite Glow® the right product to use?

A: To maintain polished granite floors, we suggest, as you indicated, Granite Glow®. Granite Glow® is a no-wax, non-acid polishing compound for granite.

• Using Granite Glow® is the first part of the process for granite floors.
• The second part involves using Granite Glow® mixed with the crystallizer Buff & Go® Plus.
• We do ship to the UK. Please give us your address and e-mail and we will send you our export price list and a proposal for samples.

Q: My bathroom has a granite shower with a glass door. Can I use MDR to clean the calcium deposit from both?

A: To remove the calcium deposit from the granite and the glass, try a solution of MDR (Mineral Deposit Remover). Test a 50/50 solution in an unobtrusive area.

• We recommend that you protect your granite shower with 2 applications of Seal & Go® S water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer.
• Maintain the shine and protection of the granite with Stone Essentials™ Countertop Polish spray.
• For the regular cleaning of the granite shower use Akemi Crystal Clean.
• Prices do not include shipping.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Travertine

Q: For our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband and I installed a beautiful honed cross-cut travertine floor in our living room. Problem is, the sample tiles we chose look much better than the floor did after installation. Should I ask the installer to replace the floor? It looks like the floor is always dirty no matter how much cleaning we do.

A: Honed cross-cut travertine usually has cement (grout) type fills in the voids (holes). Sometimes, following installation, the cement grout leaves a residue on the stone or even slightly "etches" the travertine. First try a grout release type cleaner. Never use an acidic cleaner such as muriatic acid (even very diluted).

If this grout release is not enough, the travertine can be re-honed on site with Ver Glow #1. This is a non-acid honing compound, which should give the floor a more uniform patina. Seal the travertine and grout with Seal & Go® S. This is a water/stain repellent penetrating sealer that will not change the appearance of the floor. Clean the floor weekly or as needed with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green. Please call or e-mail us for a quote on products and freight.

Limestone

Q: We have a new home with French limestone kitchen countertops. They have been sealed 2 times and will be sealed a third. However, there are water rings and some other spots that I would like to remove or clean. What product do you recommend? The limestone countertops are a honed finish, but are smooth and not very shiny. Thanks!

A: Limestone contains calcium carbonate, a chemical substance, which reacts to acids. Sealers such as our Seal & Go ® S are meant to protect marble against grease, coffee, tea, milk, etc. but not acids such as lemon juice, orange juice, vinegar, etc. Here are some ways you can help maintain the honed finish:

1. Seal the limestone once a year with Seal & Go® S.
2. Clean the top every day with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
3. Once a year, you might have to call International Stoneworks to hone (sand to remove scratches and etch marks) and seal the limestone.
Remember, nothing will protect the limestone against acids (water is typically slightly acidic), so I recommend you do the best you can to maintain it while using it until it is time to restore it.

Q: I have a limestone floor and granite counter. How can I protect and maintain both?

A: Browse the Residential Products link for more information on products for sealing and maintaining your stone. For the proper maintenance of your limestone floor and granite counter we recommend:

• For the daily or weekly cleaning of a limestone floor, we recommend a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green. To clean the granite top, we recommend Akemi Crystal Clean.
• We recommend these stones be sealed (2 applications) with Seal & Go® S water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer.
• Maintain the shine and protection of the non-floor marble or granite with Stone Essentials™ Countertop Polish spray.
• If you have grease stains in your granite, use Akemi Oil and Grease Remover.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express

Slate

Q: I have granite countertops in my kitchen and a slate patio that I want to clean on a weekly basis. However I'm trying to be environmentally conscious and reduce my carbon footprint. Can you suggest any products that I can use for my natural stone that are eco-friendly?

A: Absolutely! It is evident that home and business owners are taking part in the "green" movement and want to use products that are environmentally-friendly. For daily or weekly cleaning, I recommend Lavenet Green. It is a biodegradable, VOC compliant product that works just as effectively as regular Lavenet. Also, for the annual sealing of your natural stone, we have Seal & Go® W, which is a water-based, VOC compliant sealer. We have developed a whole line of green products for maintenance, as well as for the restoration of natural stone. Check out our Green Products Page on our Web site for more information.

Q: I have a new slate floor. I would like to have a medium gloss on the slate, but I would also like to darken the stone a bit. Should I use one of the color enhancing sealers I saw on your website?

A: You can certainly use a color-enhancing penetrating sealer to darken the slate. However, this type of sealer will not give you shine or allow you to add a coat of topical sealer, which is the only way you can get shine on the slate. We recommend the following procedure:

1. Thoroughly clean the floor with a 10 to 20% solution of MDR (Mineral Deposit Remover).
2. Rinse very well and allow the floor to dry at least 2 hours.
3. Intensify (darken) the slate with our Seal & Go Enhancer S (See appropriate directions). Allow 8 hours to dry.
4. Seal the floor with Seal Out topical sealer. This sealer will give you a light shine (one application) or medium shine ( 2-3 applications).
5. For further information on these products, their applications, and their price, please call us or e-mail us.

Q: I have grease stains on my slate backsplash in the kitchen. I also have rings on my marble countertops. How can I remove the rings, and then maintain these stones?

A: We recommend the following:

• First, remove the stains from the slate backsplash.
  • For this use our Bellinzoni Mangia Macchia

• Second, remove (as much as possible) the rings from the marble. Rings are usually "etch" marks caused by acidic liquids. In our Etch Removing Kit there is a polishing compound that should help.
• If these stains and etch marks are too deep you may need to call on International Stoneworks, Inc.
• Once you have removed these stains and etch marks, we recommend that you protect all stones (and grout) with Seal & Go® S water and stain (grease) repellent penetrating sealer.
• Maintain the shine and protection of the marble and granite tops and shower (not floors) with Stone Essentials™ Countertop Polish.
• For the regular cleaning of all stones, use a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
• Please review the information on all these products on our Web site.
• Prices do not include shipping.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Q: I have a slate floor that scratches easily. How can I remove the scratches and prevent them from coming back?

A: Unfortunately, not all slate has the same resistance to scratches. Some slate is much softer than others. You can coat your slate, but you may have scuff marks on the coat, and it will require constant buffing and care. Additionally, the wax and/or seal coat will not prevent the slate from being scratched by heavy objects such as chairs. If the slate is honed and not textured, it can be re-honed (sanded) and re-sealed. However, scratches will come back. This is a service we offer, and this refinishing can be done on a yearly basis if needed.
If you are in the Houston area, please feel free to call us at 713-956-8291, and ask for a quote.

Q: There are dark marks on my kitchen's slate flooring. This floor stains very easily, and I have difficulty keeping it clean. What do you recommend?

A: Browse the Residential Products link for more information on products for sealing and maintaining your slate floor.

• We recommend that you first try to clean the floor and stains with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green.
• Should the stain remain, we suggest that you try Bellinzoni Mangia Macchia then seal the floor with Seal & Go® S. Please note that whatever penetrating sealer you use, you need at least two heavy applications.
• Please call us for details at 713-956-8291.
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Brick Paver

Q: I have an old brick paved floor with many years of wax. I would like to refinish it while keeping it dark and shiny. What should I do?

A: First thoroughly strip the floor with Zoom. This is a powerful stripper. Use gloves. Partially seal the tile and grout with the Seal & Go Enhancer S; then seal the surface with Seal Out. The Color Intensifier will darken the floor while still allowing the Seal Out topical sealer to hold and give the floor the shine you require. Clean the floor weekly with a solution of Lavenet or Lavenet Green. Please call or e-mail us for a quote on products and freight.

Porcelain Tile

Q: I think I have made a mistake by choosing a pink grout in all of my bathrooms. We have beautiful Spanish porcelain tiles. The grout is getting dirty and has white residue, which I assume is due to the hard water, we have in our area. I don't want to change the color of my grout and every product we have tried (including bleach) to make our grout lighter or whiter does not seem to work. Do you have a magic solution?

A: No magic I'm afraid. However, our TGR (Tile & Grout Restorer) will not change the color of your grout while thoroughly cleaning it. By the way, make sure you seal the grout with Seal & Go® S (water/stain repellent penetrating sealer) after the grout is dry.

For further information on these products, their applications, and their price, please call us or e-mail us.

Ceramic Tile

Q: I own a small janitorial company. The biggest complaint I get from the property managers of the buildings I clean is that the ceramic tile bathroom flooring is dirty. I know it's not true because we clean them nightly and seal them monthly. Any suggestions?

A: Yes! Please find below the procedure I suggest:

1. Strip the floor with Zoom to remove the sealer/wax. Waxing a tile bathroom floor is not a solution. Wax attracts dirt and soon the tile and grout look yellow and dirty.
2. Clean the floor with MDR (Mineral Deposit Remover).
3. Polish the tile with Tile Glow® #2. Tile Glow® #2 is a non-wax polishing compound, which will give the tile a natural, long-lasting shine. This shine should last at least one year. Note that for most property managers, shine equals clean and shine without wax equals no scuff marks.

Please see the information, MSDS, and instructions for use for all these products on our Web site. Feel free to call us for prices and freight information.

Q: How can I restore and maintain an old ceramic tile floor?

A: For your ceramic tile floor, I recommend the following:

• First strip the tile and grout with a solution of the Zoom stripper. This stripping will remove topical dirt and acrylic wax from the floor.
• Second scrub the tile and grout with TGR (Tile & Grout Restorer). This scrubbing will thoroughly clean the tile and grout.
• None of the above will add shine to the floor. If the tile was glazed initially, it probably will be shiny. If you need to add shine, we recommend an application of Seal Out topical sealer/finish. Do not add too much because the build up will require more maintenance.
• Feel free to order these products from the Web site or call us for prices. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Q:The white grout in my kitchen has become very dirty. The tile is an old ceramic tile. Is MDR (Mineral Deposit Remover) the right product to clean my tile and grout? I also have tile around the pool that needs attention. Can I use MDR there as well?

A: MDR is an excellent product to clean the tile and grout in your kitchen. It also is a good product to clean calcium deposits from ceramic tile around the pool. It may require some scrubbing. Also note that MDR contains phosphoric acid: if some of the MDR gets into the pool, you might have to adjust the pH of the water.

• Prices do not include shipping.
• You can order this product from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Saltillo / Mexican Tile

Q: I have Mexican tiles in my home, and want to know how to restore them. Do I strip them first?

A: The most efficient wax stripper we offer is a product called Zoom. If you want to do the work yourself, you will need a stripping brush (we offer two types - for machine or with a handle).
Note: if the sealer on your tile is a solvent sealer, such as polyurethane, Zoom is not sufficient. You will need to use a solvent-based stripper. Be very careful -- solvent strippers are best handled by professionals, so please call International Stoneworks.

To seal the Saltillo tiles you can use:

• Seal & Go® Enhancer S: a solvent, stain repellent sealer that will darken the tile, but not add shine
• Seal Out: a topical sealer that will add a medium shine to the floor
• Seal & Go® S: a penetrating sealer that will add neither color nor shine to the tile
• You can order these products from the Web site. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Soapstone

Q: I hear a lot about Soapstone. Do you recommend it for kitchen tops? How would you maintain it?

A: I am not an expert on Soapstone, but I understand that it is a non-porous material, which means that it should not stain. It is probably a good choice for kitchen tops if you like the color. Unfortunately, I have only seen a light gray or green colored Soapstone. You can darken these colors with mineral oil, but the choice of colors is still very limited.