With more than seventy years’ experience, COIT is one of the worlds most experienced home cleaning companies. While their specialty is the deep cleaning of drapes, carpets, and upholstered furniture as well as air ducts, they also are your one stop shop for the cleaning or restoration of hard surfaces such as natural stone floors, marble, and granite. 

Natural stone is one of the most durable products available for use in a home, office, or commercial building. It can also provide a unique beauty. With proper care and maintenance, it will last for generations. But it is a porous surface which means the surface can absorb stains and spills. This requires special cleaning. 

A professional service can assess the condition of the stone as well as the type and determine if it is sealed or natural finish. This a crucial first step for cleaning that does not damage the surface.

First, there are three primary types of stone finishes. A polished finish has a glossy surface that reflects light and emphasizes the color as well as unique striations of the material. A honed finish is a satin smooth surface with relatively little reflection of light. Generally, this is used for most stair and floor applications as heavy traffic will wear off the polished finish. A honed finish is also favored for countertops and similar surfaces. Next is a flamed finish that has a rough textured surface such as is found with granite floor tiles.

Granite has become a favored material for use in kitchens, specifically countertops as this material is extremely resistant to bacteria. However, you need to clean granite counters regularly and carefully, and then on a regularly scheduled basis, have it professionally cleaned. This will ensure that your countertops retain their glossy finish free of stains. 

Unlike other materials, chips and cracks do not add character to granite. Whether it is a hairline scratch or painstaking crack, the whole of the piece is jeopardized. Here too a professional service can help you avoid the high cost of replacement.

If this is the first time that you are having your stone floors cleaned and sealed, and if they are older floors, a primary issue will most likely be wax. Years ago, the waxing of marble and stone was recommended. As it has now been determined that this damages the surfaces, it will need to be stripped before cleaning and the application of a professional grade sealer. Improper wax stripping can damage the grout. 

Bottom line. When it comes to cleaning, maintaining, and ensuring longevity of stone floors or granite countertops hiring a professional service is an investment. It is also a time saver. And it will eliminate frustrations, something we all need in 2020. 

For all of your cleaning needs, be it drapes or couches, stone floors or granite countertops, or even your duct work, COIT is just one call away. 

Written by Jim Hinckley of jimhinckleysamerica.com