Care & Maintenance
Internal Stone Sealed Surfaces
Maintaining Indoor Stone Surfaces
The best way to clean your internal stone surfaces is to use Guard Cleaner Eco, diluted with warm, soapy water and applied with a soft brush, mop or sponge. This is a safe way to clean without compromising the sealer or causing a chemical reaction with the stone.
- Do NOT use acidic, alkaline, solvent-based, or harsh chemical cleaners.
- Do NOT use abrasive tools such as scourers, wire brushes, or steel wool.
- Do NOT allow spills (including pet waste) to remain on the surface; clean them as soon as you can.
You may also consider things like rugs in high traffic areas, and padding furniture feet to avoid scratching the surface.
Note: While sealer significantly reduces your stone’s surface porosity, it doesn’t make it completely stain proof. Clean up any spills as soon as possible to prevent them absorbing into the surface and staining or etching it.
FAQs for Internal Stone Care
How long will the sealer take to dry?
We use ProtectGuard MG on internal stone surfaces to create a premium finish. Once the ProtectGuard MG has been applied, you can generally walk on the surface once it’s touch dry (light foot traffic). However, full curing can take up to 48 hours – and you should avoid any heavy foot traffic, furniture, or other stressors during this time to avoid compromising the sealer.
After your natural stone restoration service, your Restore & Protect operator will advise you of the timeframes and when you can use the space as normal again.
How often do you need to clean stone floors?
We recommend weekly cleaning with a stone-safe cleaner (like Guard Cleaner Eco), warm soapy water and a mop. Periodic professional cleaning is recommended every two years (such as a deep clean from Restore & Protect, using specialised equipment) to keep your surface looking and feeling beautiful underfoot.
How long will the sealer last before it needs redoing?
ProtectGuard MG is a high-performance, long-lasting sealer with a durability of up to 10 years, as outlined in the manufacturer’s data sheet. This lifespan is dependent on how well you adhere to the recommended cleaning and maintenance practices described above. The better you can maintain your floor with regular upkeep, the better the seal will perform over time.
External Stone Sealed Surfaces
Maintaining External Stone Surfaces
Many common cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that may cause damage to the sealer and to the pavement itself. It’s important to use a pH-neutral cleaner, ideally one formulated for your specific stone type (e.g. marble, travertine).
- DO NOT use acids, alkalis, solvents or other harsh chemicals on your pavement
- DO NOT use scourers, wire brushes or other abrasives on your pavement
- DO NOT ignore spills. Clean them up as soon as practical. This includes pet wastes.
Things like oil pans under vehicles, fat trays under barbecues, saucers under plant pots, and rubber feet or rubber matting under outdoor furniture can help reduce the risk of spills and other damage.
FAQs for External Stone Care
How long will the sealer take to dry?
After your same day clean and seal service, most sealed surfaces can handle light foot traffic as soon as the surface is touch dry after application of Guard Industry sealers. This depends on what sealer has been applied and whether the sealer has been applied in summer or winter, however most sealers are dry to the touch within 1-2 hours.
Note: Full cure can take up to 7 days to ensure for full stain protection. As such it is best practice to avoid heavy traffic such as vehicles, furniture trolleys, children’s bikes, potted plants etc. during this time.
How often should you clean sealed outdoor stone surfaces?
The frequency may depend on your environment – for example, you’ll need to clear debris fairly regularly if there are trees or bushes around the paved area.
The most important thing is to clean up any spills as soon as they happen, before they have time to react with the stone: grease from BBQs, oil from vehicles, pet messes, spills from food and drink. Sealing the stone helps protect against this damage, but doesn’t make the surface completely stain-proof.
How long will the sealer last before it needs redoing?
Guard Industry sealers are very durable and will last up to 10 years (excluding the Colour Enhance Sealer). The sealer life is incredible – but to utilise the quality of the sealer, regular deep cleaning every 12-24 months is essential. Restore & Protect can help with this cleaning, using specialised equipment.
Why Choose Restore & Protect?
Restore & Protect is a fully insured, family-owned and operated small business. We take our service seriously; our technicians will treat your property as if it were their own, taking every precaution and care necessary to ensure you have a finished look you will love.
Restore & Protect offers natural stone restoration, concrete grinding & polishing and pressure cleaning & sealing services across Perth, WA. Why not get in touch today to started with a free quote.
Request your free quote today
Revive tired stone surfaces with Restore and Protect. Whether it’s limestone, marble, terrazzo, granite, travertine or other popular options, our expert team can restore natural beauty and protect your floors for the future.
Fill out our simple form today for your obligation-free quote.