Caring for Large-Format Tile and Natural Stone: How to Keep the Beauty for Years

Correct care is the key to durability

You have invested significant money in large-format tile or natural stone, chosen the best craftsmen to lay it, and now you admire a flawless result. But do you know that the durability and beauty of the surface depend not only on the quality of materials and installation but also on correct care? Wrong cleaning can ruin within a few years what was meant to serve for decades.

M-STONE not only lays tile and stone but also advises clients on correct care. We provide detailed instructions after the work is finished so that your surface keeps its original beauty for as long as possible.

Caring for porcelain stoneware

Porcelain stoneware is one of the most practical materials, but even it needs correct care depending on the type of surface.

Matt surface (Matt)

Characteristics

• The most practical option
• Scratches are not visible
• Not slippery
• Dirt is moderately visible

Daily care

• Dry cleaning (a broom, a vacuum cleaner)
• Damp cleaning (a microfibre mop)
• Clean water or a weak soap solution

Periodic care (once a week)

• Washing with a neutral tile detergent
• Rinsing thoroughly with clean water
• Wiping dry (optional)

Deep cleaning (once a month)

• Deep cleaning with a specialised product
• Attention to the joints
• Rinsing and drying

Recommended products

• Mapei Keranet (for removing grout residues)
• Litokol Litonet (a universal cleaner)
• Fila Cleaner (a neutral cleaner)
• Products marked “for porcelain stoneware”

Polished surface (Lucido / Polished)

Characteristics

• A mirror shine
• Scratches, marks and streaks show
• Slippery when wet
• Needs more careful care

Daily care

• Dry cleaning (a soft brush, a vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment)
• Damp cleaning with thorough drying
• Using soft microfibre

Features

• Do not leave it to dry by itself (there will be streaks)
• Wipe dry after washing
• Avoid abrasive products
• Be careful with sand and hard particles (scratches)

Periodic care

• Polishing with special products
• Using wax-containing products for shine
• Removing scratches with polishing pastes

Recommended products

• Fila Longlife (a protective polish)
• Litokol Litoshine (for shine)
• Products marked “for polished porcelain stoneware”

Lappato surface (Lappato)

Characteristics

• Semi-polished (partly matt, partly glossy)
• A compromise between beauty and practicality
• Dirt is moderately visible

Care

• As for a matt surface
• Periodic polishing of the glossy areas
• Avoiding aggressive abrasives

Structured surface (Strutturato)

Characteristics

• A relief texture
• Imitates natural stone
• Maximum slip resistance
• Dirt accumulates in the recesses

Daily care

• Thorough sweeping (dirt gets stuck in the texture)
• Damp cleaning with light pressure

Periodic care

• Cleaning with a brush (not a metal one!)
• Using a steam cleaner
• Special products for structured tile

Deep cleaning

• A pressure washer (for outdoor tile)
• Or careful manual treatment with a brush
• Deep cleaning of the texture

Recommended products

• Fila PS/87 (for removing stubborn dirt)
• Litokol Litoclean Plus (a cleaner)

Caring for natural stone

Natural stone is a noble material that needs special treatment. Unlike porcelain stoneware, stone has pores, reacts to chemicals and can change over time.

General rules for all types of stone

You can

• pH-neutral products (pH 7)
• Soft cloths and sponges
• Specialised stone products
• Clean water
• Regular cleaning

You must never

• Acidic products (vinegar, citric acid, bathroom products with acid)
• Alkaline products (ammonia, soda in high concentrations)
• Abrasive powders and sponges
• Chlorine-containing products (for some stones)
• Universal household cleaners

Marble

Features of marble

• A calcium base (reacts to acids!)
• Porosity (absorbs liquids)
• Softness (scratches)
• Sensitivity to stains

Daily care

• Dry removal of dust
• Wiping with a slightly damp soft cloth
• Immediately removing spilled liquids!

What threatens marble

• Wine, coffee, tea: stains
• Lemon juice, vinegar, tomatoes: corrosion (etching)
• Oil, grease: dark stains
• Cosmetics: stains and a chemical reaction

Periodic care

• Washing with a special marble product
• Checking the condition of the water-repellent treatment
• Polishing to restore the shine

Protecting marble: a water-repellent treatment

• Applying an impregnation that stops liquids from penetrating the pores
• Done after laying
• Renewed once every 6-12 months (depending on intensity of use)
• Does not change the look of the stone

Recommended products

• Fila Marble Restorer (a cleaner)
• Fila MP/90 (a water repellent)
• Akemi Marble & Granite Cleaner
• Tenax Proseal (an impregnation)

Removing stains from marble

Organic stains (coffee, tea, fruit):

• A compress with hydrogen peroxide (12%)
• Cover with film for 24 hours
• Rinse with water

Grease stains:

• A compress with acetone or white spirit
• Or a special absorbent paste
• Draws the grease out of the pores of the stone

Rust:

• Special rust removers for stone
• Do not use acidic products!

Etching (matt marks from acid):

• Polishing with special pastes
• Or professional restoration

Travertine

Features of travertine

• A porous structure (characteristic holes)
• A calcium base (like marble, sensitive to acids)
• The pores can be filled or open
• Different types of surface finish

Caring for travertine with filled pores

• As for marble
• Checking the condition of the filling
• Topping up the pore filling if needed

Caring for travertine with open pores

• Regularly cleaning dirt out of the pores
• A soft-bristle brush
• More frequent water-repellent treatment
• A vacuum cleaner to remove debris from the pores

Protection

• A water-repellent treatment is mandatory!
• For open pores: more frequent renewal
• Checking every 6 months

Recommended products

• The same as for marble
• Fila Salvaterrazza (for filling pores)

Onyx

Features of onyx

• The most delicate of stones
• Soft (easy to scratch)
• Translucent (dirt is visible “through”)
• Sensitive to everything

Care

• The most delicate approach
• Only specialised products
• A soft lint-free cloth
• A minimum of moisture
• Immediately removing any contamination

Protection

• A water-repellent treatment is mandatory
• Renewal every 3-6 months
• Avoiding mechanical impact

Caring for backlit onyx

• Cleaning the outer surface
• Checking the LED system
• Avoiding overheating
• Do not use liquids near electrics

Recommended products

• Fila Marble Restorer
• Tenax Bravo (a gentle cleaner)
• Akemi Crystal Clean

Granite

Features of granite

• The strongest natural stone
• Low porosity
• Resistance to most impacts
• The least demanding in care

Care

• Ordinary regular cleaning
• Neutral or special products
• Periodic water-repellent treatment (once every 1-2 years)

What can harm granite

• Strong acids (but less than marble)
• Abrasives (scratches on a polish)
• Impacts (chips)

Recommended products

• The same as for marble
• Or ordinary neutral detergents

Caring for joints and grout

Cement grout

Problems

• Porosity (absorbs dirt)
• Darkening over time
• Possible mould in wet zones
• Destruction by aggressive chemicals

Care

• Regular cleaning together with the tile
• A brush for thorough cleaning of joints
• Special products for joints

Protecting cement grout

• A water-repellent treatment of the joints
• Special impregnations for grout
• Renewing the protection once a year

Cleaning darkened joints

• A steam cleaner (safe and effective)
• Special products for restoring joints
• Hydrogen peroxide (carefully)
• A last resort: removing the old grout and applying new

Epoxy grout

Advantages

• Zero porosity
• Does not absorb dirt
• Does not change colour
• Resistance to mould
• Chemical resistance

Care

• Minimal!
• Ordinary washing together with the tile
• Needs no additional protection
• Needs no special products

Why M-STONE recommends epoxy grout: precisely for its ease of care and durability. The extra cost at the installation stage pays off over years of carefree use.

Seasonal care

Spring care

For interiors

• A deep clean after winter
• Checking the condition of the grout
• Renewing the water-repellent treatment of stone

For exterior surfaces

• Thorough cleaning of winter dirt
• Removing efflorescence (white bloom)
• Checking for frost damage
• Renewing the water-repellent treatment

Summer care

For interiors

• The usual care regime
• Attention to air-conditioned rooms (condensation)

For exterior surfaces

• Regular cleaning of dust and pollen
• Removing stains from barbecues and drinks
• Sun protection for sensitive materials

Autumn care

For interiors

• Preparing for the heating season
• Attention to zones with underfloor heating

For exterior surfaces

• Cleaning off leaves (especially on textured tile)
• Checking drainage
• A final water-repellent treatment before winter

Winter care

For interiors

• Attention to the hallway (salt, dirt from the street)
• Protective mats at the entrance
• Regularly removing salt and de-icing agents

For exterior surfaces

• Careful snow removal (no metal scrapers!)
• Minimal use of de-icing agents (sand is better)
• Timely removal of ice
• Avoiding sharp temperature changes (do not pour hot water!)

Typical mistakes in care

Mistake 1: using universal household products

The problem: bathroom, kitchen and floor products often contain acids or alkalis that harm stone.

The solution: use only specialised products or neutral water.

Mistake 2: too much product

The problem: product residues build up, attract dirt and create a film.

The solution: keep to the dosage and rinse thoroughly.

Mistake 3: ignoring spilled liquids

The problem: the liquid penetrates the pores of the stone and leaves stains.

The solution: remove spills immediately, especially on marble and travertine.

Mistake 4: using abrasives

The problem: scratches on the surface, loss of shine.

The solution: only soft cloths and sponges, no powders.

Mistake 5: neglecting the water-repellent treatment

The problem: the stone absorbs water and dirt, and stains appear.

The solution: a regular water-repellent treatment of natural stone.

Mistake 6: too much moisture

The problem: water in the joints and under the tile, mould.

The solution: wipe dry and ensure ventilation.

Professional care and restoration

When professional help is needed

• Deep scratches on a polish
• Stubborn stains that do not come out
• Cracks in tile or stone
• Destruction of the grout
• Tile coming loose
• Loss of shine over a large area
• Damage after incorrect care

Professional restoration services

Grinding and polishing

• Removing scratches
• Restoring shine
• Levelling the surface

Re-grouting joints

• Removing the old grout
• Applying new grout
• Changing the colour of the joints

Removing stains

• Professional compresses
• Special chemical products
• Mechanical treatment

Filling cracks

• Special resins
• Colour matching
• An invisible repair

A water-repellent treatment

• Professional impregnations
• Deep penetration
• Long-term protection

Recommended care products

For porcelain stoneware

Product	Purpose	Brand
A neutral cleaner	Daily care	Fila Cleaner, Litokol Litonet
A deep-cleaning product	Deep cleaning	Fila PS/87, Mapei Keranet
A shine product	A polished surface	Fila Longlife

For natural stone

Product	Purpose	Brand
A neutral cleaner	Daily care	Fila Marble Restorer, Akemi
A water repellent	Protection from water	Fila MP/90, Tenax Proseal
A stain remover	Removing stains	Fila SR95, Akemi Stain Remover
A polish	Restoring shine	Fila Marble Polish

For joints

Product	Purpose
A joint cleaner	Removing dirt from joints
A water repellent for joints	Protecting cement grout
An anti-mould product	Prevention and removal of mould

Contact information

M-STONE: care consultations and restoration

📞 Phones: +38 068 100 27 96, +38 050 914 18 99 📧 Email: [email protected] 🌐 Website: https://mstone.ua/

Social media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstone_kiev/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mstone.kyiv/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@M-Stone_Kyiv/

Geography of work

Kyiv: all districts Kyiv region: Brovary, Irpin, Bucha, Vyshhorod, Vyshneve, Boiarka, Kozyn, Koncha-Zaspa and others

M-STONE’s advantages

✅ Care consultations: after every project ✅ Product recommendations: proven products ✅ A water-repellent treatment: carried out after laying ✅ Restoration services: restoring surfaces ✅ Guarantee service: support after installation

The current cost of work for your project can be calculated in the online calculators or confirmed by the manager: it depends on the material, the slab format and the condition of the substrate. The consultation is free.