Cleaning with StoneClean – Marble Shine Services

January 9, 2017December 6, 2018

Value in Being “Green Spirited” Rather Than Being “Rules Green” in the Field of Coatings, Sealers, and Cleansers

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When “Natural” doesn’t necessarily mean “Green”.When being “Rules Green” (Certified) may not be as good as being “Green Spirited”- caring about the quality of what you use in your life and Hotel. Just because a material is natural doesn’t mean it is good for the environment. Consider that every spring millions of pounds of peat is used as potting soil and garden ground cover. Did you know that 1) harvesting peat releases carbon dioxide, a known greenhouse gas? 2) Peat bogs have amazing ability to remove harmful impurities from water? 3) Peat bogs hold 10% of the worlds fresh water? Using peat may make you feel good using a natural material but does it mean it is good for the environment?

Do you get the idea of being ruled by “rules” or governed by the “spirit” of being environmentally friendly.

Also consider the trend to grow corn and soybeans for fuel. Growing more requires more tonnage of petro-chemical derived chemical fertilizer/pesticides. Fuel efficiency is less than the old alternative and oil is still consumed to produce the “natural” byproduct used in fuel. I lived in Iowa and still did not use this fuel for my car! It has a lower BTU value so you get less miles per gallon. Am I belaboring the point? Probably but please read on.

It matters also the company you keep and support when considering being “green”. This is why I have chosen to represent the Richard James Specialty Chemicals Corp. and the products they produce for stone, tile, concrete, and a host of other substrates. I hope you will agree with me that they have some of the finest products anywhere in the world. Let me explain why I say so in regards to environmental issues.

“The term environmentally friendly is a widely used and poorly defined cliché’. RJSC cleansers & sealers and finishes have all three elements to qualify as “environmentally friendly”…..absence of toxic compounds: short bio degredation time: and “rinse-ability free”

All these advantages come with when you choose their StoneClean™ Concentrate line of cleansers for all your regular cleaning.

First is the absence of toxic compounds in RJSC products. Surprisingly many cleansers make you believe they are eco-safe by using the grapefruit extracted concentrate d-limonene [orange or lemon smell] that is actually quite toxic. It is first cousin to kerosene and is not biologically friendly at all. Its bio-half life is very long and it is amazingly toxic compared to many other cleaning agents. It gets good press value since it is extracted from grapefruit rinds. Look at some of the labels and warning about “orange” type cleansers- “If skin contact rinse with water for 15 minutes” sounds like a dangerous product to me!

Secondly, RJSC cleansers have short bio degradation time AND [very important] none of the degradation products are themselves toxic. RJSC’s StoneClean“104”, for instance, may have the shortest degradation time of any heavy duty degreaser. The chemistries of industrial cleansers are typically VERY high impact. StoneClean “104” is not only fast in environmental breakdown, it is also truly neutral pH and low toxicity, while at the same time unusually effective in capturing oils/grime and transferring it to the mop head to be rinse away in a bucket. One client asked me if “104” had polishing agents for their polished granite floor. He said the shine “popped up right away after the first use of the product”. I then told him that now he was seeing the granite without the soap scum haze that has been left behind by inexpensive cleansers that use either sodium or potassium phosphates!

Another earth friendly spirited way it is crafted is the fact that is a salt free cleanser! Excess salts in our waterways are creating havoc with water treatment centers. ( typical water softeners that use salt should be outlawed!- for a whole house water filtration that does not use salt please ask me!!) This means that being green “spirited” also means to consider whether a product is “drain friendly”! Look at the label of ingredients and if sodium or potassium are in the names of the cleaning agents then are you really green in spirit or intent?

Third, and importantly, is the “free rinse-ability” of RJSC products. If a product leaves a scum on the floor it will also leave a scum on the environment it contacts. Many cleaners require multiple rinses whereas RJSC cleansers float free with the first rinse. (this also saves in labor time as well)

Soy derived cleansers leave behind residues that by definition provide food for fungal growth. This starts another important point to cover: the control of mold and mildew environmentally! Lawsuits and litigation experts agree that this is a “cash cow” of legal proportions. Problematic,is that often solutions to cleaning mold are also toxic in themselves, and that by definition add to the overall “problem” of mold concerns. A mouthful of words to say, “let us look at a different way to control mold.” – Chlorine bleach has a VERY short lived anti-mold activity. The dirty environmental fact is that chlorides and chlorine derivatives react “downstream” with organics in the water to produce carcinogens. This is why straight bleach is no longer used in many drinking water systems. –

Safely removing mold without resorting to using any type of chloride chemical is key to protecting the environment of the drain and waterways. StoneClean™ Plus is an excellent product for the specific purpose of making surfaces resistant to discoloration, odor and degradation by microbial and fungal contamination. Itbreaks down the chitin shell of the fungal growth makes it a much safer way to remove mold/fungal growths. It also contains Vantocil IB for an FDA approved antimicrobial for food service use. Many are fooled into believing that for such a nasty job you need nasty strong chemistry. Looking at the labels of such strong chemicals proves they are not good for the environment and also the end user. One such label says to avoid any skin contact and to flush your skin for 30 minutes if it comes in contact with your skin! A friend of mine uses such a cleanser in his cleaning and mold remediation service. Look at the kinds of bathroom cleaners used for the hotel guest room floors and showers.

RJSC designs their sealers and cleansers with the specific thought of bio-half life and toxicology of all inclusions. Biodegradability of surfactants and de-foaming additives is a concern as these are usually not regulated except in the case of fluorocarbons and heavy metals. A farmer friend of mine thinks that some agricultural chemical surfactants never really break down environmentally.

I think you will actually be shocked to find out how the combination of right chemistry and environmental safety can outperform ones that claim “Rules Green” / certified! Safely cleaning floor grouting without resorting to acids or strong pH cleansers is another way to test how well they clean! They are all safe for delicate substrates like polished marble as well.

The next area of concern being dealt with in the article is the chemistry of sealers/ finishes. Solvent borne coatings have been around for over a hundred years. Only recently did science come up with acrylic and polyurethane resins that were solvated in various hydrocarbon solvents to produce widely used coatings that are still applied today (albeit illegally in many states).

As air quality concerns elevated to new awareness in the 70’and 80’s, there was an undercurrent of dissatisfaction with the vapors, inherent toxicity and flammability of solvent coatings. The letters “VOC” became a more recognizable standard to judge whether a coating was toxic and to which degree. VOC then became the newest regulatory datum.

RJSC was the FIRST manufacturer (1992) in floor coatings/treatments to open its business exclusively with waterborne coating and sealers. Since that year they have developed a host of other products for virtually every kind of flooring/ substrate! They have a menu of at least 9 industry standards to measure their coatings. They consistently meet or beat solvent systems in virtually every performance dimension!! This is especially true for abrasion resistance, flexibility, tensile strength and of course flammability.

Among the first products introduced by RJSC in the early 90’s was StoneLok™ “MLT Plus”. The first big application was in 1993 at Penn Station in NYC (with traffic of 500,000 people a day). It was selected because it was the only product MTA management could find that met their stringent air quality tests. It saved them several hundred thousand dollars that would have been spent venting the fumes from this 24- hr/day facility.

The flamed granite is still easily cleanable to this day. StoneLok™ sealers are now specified for installations from museums, hotels, retail spaces, and finer homes.

The real spirit of “Green” is much more complex than the current idol of VOC, or volatile organic content. Most resin systems other than 100% epoxy need some solvents to gain required performance. Most state VOC requirements are generally in the low 200 g/liter level but there are several areas where 100 is the max and we can only see this trend being amplified lower.

Low Impact Green in Spirit (Low Environmental Impact) must therefore consider appropriate VOC for air quality, PLUS low bio-toxcity, low contact irritation and fast bio-degradation.

Small amounts of solvents are found in almost all sealers including waterborne products. Many pose no air quality threat and are low in toxicity. Some solvents are higher in impact. Ethyl-group glycol ethers (butoxy ethanol) are used in waterborne coating, and “EB” was the solvent in original Windex and 409. This chemistry is metabolized in the body with some by-product liver retention.

RJSC uses Glycol Ether Acetate that has a safety rating of “1” (safe) without DOT toxic shipping. Glycol Ether Acetate is generally metabolized and passed thru the body with no retention.

It is interesting to note that they supplied product for a job at The National Bureau of Technology and Standard (nuclear lab). They had to demonstrate the uniquely “safe” catalyst chemistry. The officer was totally unconcerned with the Glycol Ether Acetate. The product was also cleared for use by an equally stringent safety officer for a major airplane manufacturer.

RJSC has not undertaken the time and expense to gain “Green Rules” for their sealers since when the coating system is cured, it is chemically inert and therefore does not emit, exchange or degrade into biologically hostile chemistries. Also, unlike high- and petroleum- solvent sealers that emit “volatiles” for months, RJSC sealers emit the low-level biologically acceptable propisols only until full cure (usually four days).

As chemically inert system, they do not provide nutritional basis for microbial growth, and with its overall chemical resistance, it can be cleaned with a variety of microbial cleansers!

This sort evaluation of being “Green Spirited” as opposed to being “Green Rules” shows that it is what a company does, not what it says, and pays to have advertised that matters most! RJSC rarely advertises and for that reason sometimes gets lost in the shuffle of big business contracts and deals. It is the hotel GM, building manager, janitorial supervisor/owner that truly wants to be “Green Spirited” that will sort thru all the hype, read the documentation and choose the best overall products for their facility. I hope you will contact me for further direction into how this special, low key company, can help you also to become not only green compliant, but go further and become green spirited in nature of your business or home!

Stan Zimmer

January 8, 2017December 6, 2018

Preventing Floor Failures: Surface Maintenance- Surface Protection

Preventing Floor Failures: Surface Maintenance- Surface Protection

Many companies are making a living by diagnosing and making determinations as to why a floor is experiencing failure. Legal protection and burden of proof makes determining why a floor has failed big business!

With increasing sophisticated methods and tools now available for recognizing and addressing vapor emissions and moisture problems, there is and ever-growing awareness of these “down-up” problems in the construction and related industries. The result is that owners and contractors increasingly assume that these “must” be the cause of tile, stone, and VCT floor failures.

There are other widespread causes of hard surface failures that are little understood , therefore often overlooked. these are the “up-down” problems that are fortunately quite easy and relatively inexpensive to solve by proper protection of the surface at the time of installation, and proper maintenance on an on going basis.

Addressing the “up-down” problems at any time in the life of a floor can often also prevent premature floor failures.

Consider: Any seamed, grouted or damaged floor is subject to various types of contamination seeping seeping through junctures to the base substrate. Soap and detergent cleaning agents, oils, salts and acids can all create conditions for lifting and buckling of hard-surface floors.

Many common cleaners use a variety of inexpensive compounds that make the cleaners appear to be highly effective but these compounds can cause severe damage to the flooring adhesive or to the bse substrate when they seep into junctures. This is especially true for the new low-VOC trowel adhesives that all become brittle and easily broken down by these chemistries.

Popular citrus-based cleaners contain a product called d-limonene, a petroleum related product chemically that over time will break down adhesives and concrete. (Just soak either in this solution and it will eventually turn to mush)
Acidic cleaners that flow down through junctures will slowly create an environment that when re-wetted can cause concrete and all cementitious products to powder. This powder layer will eventually “lift” as it becomes less and less homogenous to the substrate.
High pH strippers (especially those with high amounts of potassium or sodium phosphates) and / or dirty water that seeps in an remains trapped under the flooring (and especially spaces between the rubber backing of small bathroom tiles) are idea sites for mold growth from these contaminates. As mold takes hold and begins to grow, it takes up increasing amounts of space, and starts the process of delamination. While many anti-microbial products are helpful, all have a short effective life, and any interruption in treatment will allow mold growth to re-start.

Preventing penetration of adverse chemistries into junctures along with the use of non-damaging advanced technology cleaners and strippers can prevent failure of new installations and stop deterioration of existing installations.

The first task is to seal seamed, grouted and damaged floors such that future contamination will not occur and the floor is given a durable overlay that can be cleaned and refreshed over time.

The second task is to use cleaners and strippers that actually “float” contamination “up” and “out” rather than just break it down and ultimately make it easier to penetrate damaged junctures of the flooring. The cleaners must also not contain harmful chemistries that can damage the flooring and that leave residues that can react out later when re-wetted. No soapy residues left behind will mean no dangerous slippery floor when cleaning or after cleaning. The added benefit would be that they are effective highly diluted and deliver a pristine floor.

Polished marble is a good example of a floor needing gentle chemistry so as not to dehydrate the stone and cause deterioration. One client of mine was concerned about that and I told him to use StoneClean & Strip™ in lukewarm water highly diluted. He said that the daily cleaner StoneClean™ 60 was slowly cleaning the grout every time he cleaned the floor! (please read more about StoneClean™ Concentrates on my site)

Please contact me if you have any questions. For complete information about the specialty sealers and grout sealer please visit www.rjsconline.com

December 25, 2016June 2, 2018

StoneClean™ & Strip: Excellent Deep Cleaning Action that is Safe Even for Polished Marble!

StoneClean™ & Strip

Excellent Deep Cleaning Action that is Safe Even for Polished Marble!

Give StoneClean™ & Strip a Try:

What makes tile and stone floors (and grout) so hard to clean?

There are Several Reasons:

Using daily cleansers that can’t float the dirt/grime out of the more porous grout & tile and stone surfaces
using cleansers that contain detergents that resettle in lower grout joints and deposit some of the dirt with each cleaning the resulting “soap scum” created by cleansers containing Potassium or Sodium Salts. These environmentally unsound cleansers can create more problems than they solve.
Periodic waxing and build-up of wax residues in the grouting-typical waxes tend to trap and weld in dirt so the build-up only makes the problem worse
the past use of “grout sealers” that contain silicone – silicone based sealers can actually trap and weld in dirt/grease into silicone that are “free”(not bound to the grouting) Also some contain additives that over time whiten or create a haze that is difficult to remove
not using the proper equipment to clean with that can agitate into the joints
the past use of acidic grout cleaners that make the grouting more porous and easier to re-soil (acids don’t clean they etch).
What is needed then is proper / right cleaning chemistry to help both deep clean and to maintain the tile and stone & grouting.

Ideal for initial deep cleaning of stone, tile, grout, & concrete! WHY?

StoneClean™ & Strip contains a wide spectrum of surfactants that are geared for the widest range of contamination. How can it clean so well without harsh chemicals or without being acidic or high on the pH scale?

StoneClean™ & Strip uses a sophisticated formulation that is comprised of chemicals which create a three step cleaning process to “bite” the contamination and carry it off the surface

Two of the formulation chemicals, brought down to the surface of the stone/tile through the water solution by a “heavy” molecule ingredient, provides “bite” on oil based substances. (breaking surface tension with the heavy ingredient is key to letting the ingredients do their job)
The blend of surfactants takes the oils plus a total spectrum of contamination & brings them into solution with the water.
The surfactant-bound particles then tie in a packet or “micelle” with the ingredient added that then floats them away from the substrate. An additional chemical serves to keep the bound particles in solution so that they can be mopped away!

The exacting way in which these ingredients are blended together allows them to do the work in this three in one step cleaning action!!

The StoneClean™ & Strip Difference: No Residues

StoneClean Concentrates are crafted in an exacting way to avoid the common “pitfalls” of basic cleaning chemistry. They are able to accomplish a wide variety of cleaning tasks SAFELY without using caustic chemistry and without leaving cleaning RESIDUES.

StoneClean™ & Strip (pH of approx. 10) often removes coatings that high pH strippers can’t. Some strippers have a pH of 11 (1,000 times more alkaline) or higher.

The higher the alkalinity, the more care is needed to prevent damage to the surfaces! (Use of pH 11 or higher on polished marble is not recommended!)

SOAP & DETERGENT CHEMISTRY

Liquids have a property called surface tension. A thin razor blade floats in water because of high surface tension. Add a few drops of soap to the water and the razor blades instantly sinks to the bottom.

High surface tension inhibits the cleaning process. Reducing the surface tension increases the cleaning effectiveness. Surfactants (surface active agents) reduce surface tension. They make water “wetter.” Surfactants perform other tasks. They loosen and emulsify (dissolve into water) and suspend dirt and oils in solution to be rinsed away.

Surfactants are classified by their ionic (electrical charge) properties in water: anionic (negative charge), nonionic (no charge), cationic (positive charge) and amphoteric (either positive or negative charge). Most soaps are anionic.

StoneClean Concentrates are nonionic!. Proper / right cleaning chemistry will help to both deep clean and to maintain the tile and stone & grouting.

After Care with StoneClean™ “60” will prevent the floor from being heavily soiled again.

Please give StoneClean™ & Strip a try!

April 29, 2016December 6, 2018

StoneClean Concentrates :Contractor Pricing Now Available

StoneClean Concentrates :Contractor Pricing Now Available

In an effort to supply the very best in cleaning chemistry to more cleaning contractors and homeowners who want to stock up on supplies you can now purchase multiple gallons at a discount.

How to shop now?

Click on Shop, Click on the Picture of the product, Click on the Cart Picture that says Select Options,

Click on Size Drop Down Option, choose up to the 6 gallon option, the price will then come up, then add to cart, and then check out!

Example with StoneClean “60” : the one gallon price is $60.00, the two gallon price is $110.00, three gallon price is now $165.00 up to 6 gallon price of $300.00 If you want multiple cases of 6 or 4 gallons then click how many that size you then want!

I hope this will help!

Thanks for your interest in using these fine products and hope this will help your bottomline.

August 27, 2015November 28, 2018

Purchasing StoneClean online or by phone

I now only can take orders via the phone or email. I have decided not to have sales via my site online due to issues with the program.

I wanted to let ones know that in case you prefer to order via the phone I can now accept credit cards over the phone!

Thank You for Your Order in Advance!
My web site is secure thru PayPal. Google wants money to remove that notice and my web designer assures me it is secure. If any questions please feel free to call me to place your order direct. I am not alway in the office but leave a message and I can call you back as soon as I can. 503-362-5651 thanks Stan Zimmer

Stan

June 30, 2015June 2, 2018

Stone and Tile’s Best Friend StoneClean Concentrates!

Stone & Tile Cleaning Best Friend – StoneClean Concentrates!

My web site is secure thru PayPal. Google wants money to remove that notice and my web designer assures me it is secure. If any questions please feel free to call me to place your order direct. I am not alway in the office but leave a message and I can call you back as soon as I can. 503-362-5651 thanks Stan Zimmer

Ordering is also available by phone, as well as online thru this web site. Call 503-362-5651 or email me at wellnesssalt@yahoo.com

Please give me your name and phone number so I can either call or email you back to get your credit card numbers. I am the only one who will contact you and get your numbers over a land line and thru a private / secure internet connection to complete the transaction. I use PayPal on my online ordering and it also is secure!

Marble Institute of America stresses using cleansers that are pH compatible for carbonate stones of marble, limestone, and travertine. Yet pH has nothing to do with ability to clean and does not mean it is still safe for those type of stone. Cleaning safely does not mean it is best at preserving the integrity of the stone! I once used a daily stone soap from Germany that had no cleaning ability what so ever!

The same is true for ceramic and porcelain tiles. Unlike carbonate stones these tiles can withstand a wide range of cleaning pH’s even into acidic ranges. Therefore the range of cleaning product seems endless.

To have a set of cleansers from the same company that can not only safely clean both types of flooring but also deep clean effectively seems doubtful at best. Not so with stone Clean Concentrates from the Richard James Specialty Chemicals Company.
This little known company has what I strongly feel are the best all around cleaning chemistry on the market today. Add to this is that they are environmentally safe and sound with no environmental breakdown residues.

Consider two real life, real comments that have been told me about these cleansers.

1. Tile Council of America past president Bob Daniels once told me one important statement. Their new offices were being built at Clemson University in South Carolina. They had a problem- the new tile flooring had a residue on it that made the tiles look hazy and not clean looking. I sent him a quart of StoneClean 104. A week later he called me in my home town of Sac City, Iowa. The first words that I heard were not clean words to be repeated! I thought what went wrong? Nothing. ” I gave the night cleaning crew your cleanser and this morning I could not believe my eyes how clean the floors not look, no residues!” Wow I thought now my sales will skyrocket the president of the Tile Council of America gave me a huge endorsement! But to my naive business sense he never told anyone who would later call me. He was looking for advertising dollars from me that I did not have. My free sample had cleaned where other products had failed! Yet, gave me nothing in return. I felt defeated.

2. The original inventor of the first hard surface truck mount tile cleaning system used StoneClean products on a large bank building in Phoenix , Az. He had been using his tool to do sample cleaning to show off his new invention. He told me that he could not promote my products. Why? His comment rocked me – “If ones used your cleaners they would not need my machine” The StoneClean Conc. product had floated the dirty out of the tile and grouting by just using a light scrub and mop and bucket. It was StoneClean “104”!

These two examples show what obstacles even great product can have being marketed. Sad to say my lack of marketing skills has not helped either nor the lack of advertising from the company itself.

Please give these products a try. I have had loyal customers now for over 20 years now. Let me add your name to my satisfied list of users.

February 27, 2015June 2, 2018

Granite Cleaning at Its Best!

Granite Cleaning at Its Best!

Find out What it is Like to Have Residue Free Cleanings!

Ordering is also available by phone, as well as online thru this web site. Call 503-362-5651 or email me at wellnesssalt@yahoo.com

GRANITE – A Great Choice for Countertops & FloorsGranite counters are becoming increasingly popular. The increasing supply and the new technologies of fabrication have made this durable material more cost effective!Many finer homes and hotels have adopted this elegant and durable material.The Advantages of Granite Countertops & Floors are Many!

very stain resistant
very etch resistant to acids (except hydrofluoric acid-rust removers)
good at resisting bacterial growth
very scratch resistant – very hard surface
also good at accepting hot items

The concerns with granite counters & floors are more evident in the lighter colored granites with showing discoloration due to oils and other contaminates. Also being very hard any glass that would fall on the surface is history, extremely hot items and fire will cause a “popping out” of the surface to cause a rough spot.

Repairing scratches and lippage due to improper setting of the countertop will require professional help. If the seams are not level and need grinding to repair ASK for references before letting the contractor do the repair- blending in the polish to match the existing polish is VERY difficult.

To Seal or Not to Seal? That is the Question.

Actually the question should be to use an impregnator or not use one. Impregnators are sub-surface protection from staining; whereas sealers are above surface protectors.

Closing the pores of the granite with an impregnator that will resist both water borne & oil borne contaminates is important. (Richard James Specialty Chemicals product) provides excellent stain resistance. A key point is that it does NOT contain silicone. Silicone based solvent impregnators can potentially cause a darkening of the surface. SRI Treatment^TM will aid in the prevention of contamination getting below the surface. It is NOT a solvent based sealer so will not have harmful ingredients or smell up the room where applied!

The V.O.C. is extremely LOW! 16 g. per liter V.O.C!! I have used this in an enclosed shower with no smell or breathing concerns.

GRANITE CARE: DAILY CLEANING

Polished granite counters properly cleaned SHOULD NOT need any polish enhancement. Counters that have been abused and have lost some of the luster though could consider some gloss enhancement.

NOTE: Oil darkening/staining may require the use of a poultice (clay powders to draw up and out the oils/stain). However before resorting to that try StoneClean & Strip (1 to 3 dilution) and make a dam out of cloths to soak the stain for approx 5 minutes (keeping the areas wet and not let dry out) scrub and rinse well. It may require a second application on another day and not the same day- rinse well and let dry out naturally before trying again. If not taken care of please ask for POULTICE details.

CONCLUSION: POLISHED GRANITE COUNTER CARE

Use of cleansers that don’t leave residues and pick up the oils is frontline in the care of polished granite counters. Also important is the use of an impregnator that will not darken the stone or yellow or eventually weld in grease and dirt into the stone. Properly cared for granite is a good choice of material and will bring years of good service! You will find no better cleanser for Polished granite countertops than StoneClean^TM “PLUS” Concentrate Hard surface Cleaner

Granite Countertop Mold Concerns

Thousands have chosen polished granite countertops to add richness and elegance to their homes.

Recent concerns of Radon and Mold have dampened the decision to have granite in their homes. Please read on in how best to deal with these concerns and also to put them in their proper perspectives.

Many have expressed concern in finding mold growing on their granite countertops.

Many feel that polished granite countertops and floors are impervious to staining, so why should they be prone to mold growth? Polished granite still has micro pores where mold spores can land and multiple when there is enough “food” to grow. Many feel that you do not need to use a subsurface sealer ( called an Impregnator) on polished granite countertops. This is not true! A horizontal surface is more likely to harbor impurities than a vertical surface.

SRI Treatment™ is the best at filling those small “holes” and keeping a clean surface.

Advantages of SRI Treatment™ (Stain Resisting Impregnator):

Low V. O. C. 16 g/L makes this probably the lowest and safest on the market
Little or NO smell with no off gassing concerns (can use in tight places)
Easy application- simply wipe on, let soak in for 5 to 10 minutes and then buff off excess with a clean cotton towel/ cloth
Does not contain silicone or silane which can and does breakdown and actually trap dirt and mold and mildew Do you have mold that is hard to remove on your top? Did you have the installer apply a sealer? Likely it was one that contained silicone or silane! Can you get mildew out of bathroom caulking? I rest my case!
Resists both water borne and oil borne staining
Cost effective to reapply often if a high use countertop

Cleaning granite counters & floors can also be accomplished by using StoneClean Hard Surface Cleaner

Cleaning and Ongoing Maintenance highly diluted. Only 2 ounces to a gallon & then put in a spray bottle. It also contains a special biocide called Vantocil IB Data that has proven to be a safe product to use in the food care industry! It also helps make the surfaces resistant to microbial growths. (also great on polished granite flooring and showers as well) One Quart will last a very long time at this dilution ratio!! Simply spray until the counter is wet & then scrub lightly and rinse well. It is always best with highly polished surfaces to wipe with a cloth until completely dry. It is excellent in removing oils and grease! Think like you are taking a shower- first you lather up, then rinse, then dry yourself. Not rinsing can leave some residues behind even when drying the surface.

If this doesn’t remove the discoloration than the best deep cleanser for stone and tile is one called StoneClean & Strip™ mixed strong like 50/50 with lukewarm to cool water.. Spray and let dwell on the countertop without letting it dry for 15 minutes. Constantly scrubbing and keeping wet. Give a good hard scrub with a nylon bristle brush and rinse, rinse , rinse well. Follow with a “Plus” rinse. If a previous sealer was used it may take a couple of cycles of cleaning to remove completely. Allow a few days before trying again. Drying out the countertop can help make the previous sealer more brittle and easier to remove during 2^nd cleaning.

A word about recent news on the possible dangers of granite countertops.

This is not to downplay possible concerns if your house is full of granite.

Before considering removing your granite countertops please consider other parts of you house that deserve more of your attention to safety and health!

Your bedroom– do you sleep on organic cotton and natural rubber mattresses or do you sleep on the most heavily chemically treated crop in the world- cotton, and sleep on polyurethane foam, which is made from a petrochemical base combined with a slurry of nasty chemicals that have proven to cause cancer? I don’t sell these kind of products and I don’t even sell granite or stone countertops, just the best care products for them- please get this book- Toxic Bedrooms

Also to consider is to have impregnators that are used to “seal/ Protect” the countertop to have no chemical off gassing. ((please read about SRI Treatment on this article) When it comes to off gassing concerns also read the book Homes That Heal and those that don’t

I hope you consider the fine cleaning products that I represent and feel free to contact me. Many homes in Iowa where I live have radon coming from their foundations.

If you are concerned please check my information about diffusing essential oils/ mold concerns to render the gas less harmful by creating natural ozone and added oxygen to the environment! Plus they smell great! Put a diffuser on your countertop and have the healthiest kitchen around!

PS Make your own decisions and not what the media presents only! You may have something under your granite countertop that could slowly be eating away at your good health far more than radon concerns- your water filter!

Granite Cleaning at Its Best!

Find out What it is Like to Have Residue Free Cleanings!

CAUTION: RUST REMOVERS

Hydrofluoric acid WILL etch polished granites! Avoid rust removers around polished granite countertops!!

CAUTION: DYES IN THE FINISH

Some granites (blacks especially have been treated with dyes at the stone quarry or stone shop to enhance their coloration) Most do not but a few have been dyed. When treated in this manner you may begin to notice ring marks or a “graying” of the finish. This may also become evident when using certain cleansers that remove oils (like StoneClean & Strip & “104”). The cleansers did not damage the marble; they only revealed that the stone had been “doctored with.” (please ask about possible correction of the problem)

February 27, 2015June 2, 2018

Solving the Problem of Cleaning Floor Grout

Solving the Problem of Cleaning Floor Grout
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As a janitorial firm or building manager, you’re aware of the concern over cleaning floor grout. Many an owner has complained about the dirty appearance of the floor grout even after repeated efforts to correct the problem. One owner even doubted the cleaning staff was even cleaning the floors at all! Often view the grout close to the wall compared to the center of the floor reveals the concern quite clearly. There is a way to help in this area of concern.

Why does grout get so dirty looking? There could be several reasons. Here are a few.

Using daily cleansers that can’t float the dirt/grime/grease up and out of the porous material such as grout
Using cleansers that contain detergents that resettle in lower grout joints and deposit more dirt with each cleaning
Periodic waxing and build- up of wax residues in the grout. Wax tends to trap and weld in the dirt. Complete wax removal is essential
The past use of a silicone based grout sealer which will in time break down and actually attract and weld in the dirt into the so-called protection. These types of grout sealers work fine for a time but many times they become the enemy of a clean appearance
Not using caustic cleaners that contain acids. Though these may seem to clean better they will over time and over use make the flooring – including the grout more porous
Not using the proper cleaning brushes to get into the grout joints themselves

The beginning of the solution lies in using a special cleanser that has unique “floating” abilities. Again the concern is not to have the dirt resettle into the porous grout. Using a deep cleaner to, not only break down dirt but also oils with start the cleaning process.

Next it is important for the cleanser not to allow the contamination to “resettle” back into the floor and grout! This property of floating and grabbing the contamination before it can resettle is key. The mop or scrubber can wisk it away.

Detergents will likely contain a combination of salts. These type of cleansers only tend to leave behind a residue that is often hard to remove even with repeated rinsing.

StoneClean™ & Strip is such a deep cleanser for floors and grouting! StoneClean™ “104” is also such a cleanser with powerful abilities to breakdown and float contamination up and out of the floor and grouting.

One building called me to ask if StoneClean™ “104” had polishing agents in the product. I said no. Why did he ask? The granite floor shine returned to what it was like new. I then told him “Now you are seeing the floor without any detergent/ soap residues.”

Hotel housekeeping staffs are presented the problem on a daily basis of keeping a tiled floor clean. One executive housekeeper mentioned she had problems keeping the grout clean in the bathrooms. One floor in particular they tried several times and used really aggressive scrubbing brushes. I looked at the floor, sprayed StoneClean™ & Strip , allowed it to soak for 5 minutes, scrubbed with a nylon bristle scrub brush, and wow did it look clean after I rinsed! They were shocked and surprised.

One building manager was impressed even with the least aggressive of the StoneClean line – StoneClean™ “60”. She said that each time they used the product the grout got progressively cleaner each time.

One cleaning contractor got a contact solely on the basis of the cleaning action of StoneClean™ “104”. The comment was “If you can get this floor looking cleaner than the other company in just one sample clean then you can do the rest for the entire building”.

Please give these specialty cleanser a good try in your business or company you work for. Use the cleansers that can both grab the dirt and then float it up and out a chance to impove the clean of your grout and entire flooing.

Ordering is also available by phone, as well as online thru this web site. Call 503-362-5651 or email me at wellnesssalt@yahoo.com

January 8, 2015June 2, 2018

The Case for Using StoneClean™ “104”

StoneClean “104”

The Case for Using StoneClean™ “104”

Years ago the Tile Council of America president Bob D. called me one day. I had given him a sample Qt. Bottle of “104” to use. He told me that their new office tile floor was hard to get clean of installation residues.

The first words that came out of his mouth were words I would not repeat. Oh I thought what happened” He told me ” The night cleaning crew used the sample you gave me and it cleaned the floor so it finally looks brand new” wow I thought now my sales will really take off! No he wanted us to pay for mentioning anything or to pay for advertising of which I had no budget for at the time.

This report is to add to the support of using StoneClean™ “104” in various areas of cleaning. It will show that quality pays and quality works! It will divide the cleaning into two basic categories

1) Daily Cleaning/ Surface Preparation

2) Degreasing cleans.

Both will strengthen the case for “104”!

For other information concerning the StoneCleanÔ Conc. line of cleansers please refer to the reports StoneClean Overview & Cleaning Chemistry plus the product brochure as well

Daily Cleaning/ Surface Preparation

SALT FREE: Salts are typically used to add extra activity to cleaners (as an extra “grabber”). Many neutral cleaners are not neutral in the bottle – but become neutral when the salts react out. This is when the products “die” or are no longer active in cleaning ability. StoneClean “104” has NO SALTS and NO SOAPS (report on cleaning chemistry). Not only is StoneClean™ “104” neutral pH but more important is that “104” is a continuously active product! Its’ activity doesn’t stop when it is in dilution or on the floor! This trade secret formulation is why ones notice that it cleans effectively even at a 1 to 128 dilution or even weaker!

no salt — StoneClean “104” is a Salt Free Cleanser

WHY SALT FREE?

Salt residues left in the floor can cause problems later. This is especially true when considering any surface treatment such as an impregnator or sealer or wax. No sealer is totally impermeable! Over time there will be some up down and down up hydroscopy (vapor movement). If salts are left in the substrate, continuing “wetting” and resulting “activation” can eventually create a) efflorescence and or b) “color shift”.

Extra salts can also hasten the process of re-soiling of the substrate.

RESIDUE FREE CLEANS!

Now the daily cleans go FASTER & more efficient with “104”. Also there is better surface adhesion and bonding when further treating the floor after a deep cleaning. Using “104” as the final RINSE before applying any impregnator or sealer/wax will produce better results! Also the substrate can be brought back to a neutral pH where it should be most of the time!

Degreasing Cleans

NEUTRAL pH BUT EFFECTIVE

Don’t let the neutral pH fool you into thinking that it has no punch! Don’t let the fact that it is FAST in ENVIRONMENTAL BREAKDOWN fool you into thinking that it can’t work like the caustic ones! Even at a 1 to 64 dilution it can effectively remove heavy grease and grime!

NO RESIDUES

A lot of degreasers contain d-limonene (citrus) which will leave residues in the substrate that will stay in the floor as an oil grabbing terpene. (the clean look but sticky feel) This will help keep the floor cleaner LONGER!

ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE DEGREASING

Consider a few commonly used degreasing agents.

Organic Solvents: This class of grease-cutters are mostly of synthetic origin (organic refers to their petroleum origins). They pollute the environment!

Butyl cellosolve: A toxic synthetic solvent and grease cutter that can irritate mucous membranes and cause liver and kidney damage. Not earth friendly!

Aromatic hydrocarbons: These synthetic grease cutters are members of the benzene family of chemicals! They contaminate air and groundwater. (they cannot easily evaporate underground and are difficult to biodegrade)

High pH Degreasers: Caustic soda like products abound in the market place. pH as high as 14 have been used. These types of degreasers can quick damage a floor.

Now the best overall degreaser in the world! StoneClean™ “104” and did I mention that “104” is extremely fast in environmental breakdown! Order a gallon today and see why I say it is the most powerful neutral pH cleanser in the world!

Ordering is also available by phone, as well as online thru this web site. Call 503-362-5651 or email me at wellnesssalt@yahoo.com

January 8, 2015August 29, 2015

StoneClean™ & Strip Safe & Effective Deep Cleaning Action

StoneClean™ & Strip Safe & Effective Deep Cleaning Action

Excellent Deep Cleaning Action that is Safe Even for Polished Marble!

Give StoneClean™ & Strip a Try:

What makes tile and stone floors (and grout) so hard to clean?

There are Several Reasons:

Using daily cleansers that can’t float the dirt/grime out of the more porous grout & tile and stone surfaces
using cleansers that contain detergents that resettle in lower grout joints and deposit some of the dirt with each cleaning the resulting “soap scum” created by cleansers containing Potassium or Sodium Salts. These environmentally unsound cleansers can create more problems than they solve.
Periodic waxing and build-up of wax residues in the grouting-typical waxes tend to trap and weld in dirt so the build-up only makes the problem worse
the past use of “grout sealers” that contain silicone – silicone based sealers can actually trap and weld in dirt/grease into silicone that are “free”(not bound to the grouting) Also some contain additives that over time whiten or create a haze that is difficult to remove
not using the proper equipment to clean with that can agitate into the joints
the past use of acidic grout cleaners that make the grouting more porous and easier to re-soil (acids don’t clean they etch).
What is needed then is proper / right cleaning chemistry to help both deep clean and to maintain the tile and stone & grouting. StoneClean™ & Strip uses a sophisticated formulation that is comprised of chemicals which create a three step cleaning process to “bite” the contamination and carry it off the surface
StoneClean™ & Strip contains a wide spectrum of surfactants that are geared for the widest range of contamination. How can it clean so well without harsh chemicals or without being acidic or high on the pH scale?
Ideal for initial deep cleaning of stone, tile, grout, & concrete! WHY?

Two of the formulation chemicals, brought down to the surface of the stone/tile through the water solution by a “heavy” molecule ingredient, provides “bite” on oil based substances. (breaking surface tension with the heavy ingredient is key to letting the ingredients do their job)
The blend of surfactants takes the oils plus a total spectrum of contamination & brings them into solution with the water.
The surfactant-bound particles then tie in a packet or “micelle” with the ingredient added that then floats them away from the substrate. An additional chemical serves to keep the bound particles in solution so that they can be mopped away!
The StoneClean™ & Strip Difference:
No Residues StoneClean™ & Strip (pH of approx. 10) often removes coatings that high pH strippers can’t. Some strippers have a pH of 11 (1,000 times more alkaline) or higher. Liquids have a property called surface tension. A thin razor blade floats in water because of high surface tension. Add a few drops of soap to the water and the razor blades instantly sinks to the bottom. Surfactants are classified by their ionic (electrical charge) properties in water: anionic (negative charge), nonionic (no charge), cationic (positive charge) and amphoteric (either positive or negative charge). Most soaps are anionic. After Care with StoneClean™ “60” will prevent the floor from being heavily soiled again.
Please give StoneClean™ & Strip a try!
StoneClean Concentrates are nonionic!. Proper / right cleaning chemistry will help to both deep clean and to maintain the tile and stone & grouting.
High surface tension inhibits the cleaning process. Reducing the surface tension increases the cleaning effectiveness. Surfactants (surface active agents) reduce surface tension. They make water “wetter.” Surfactants perform other tasks. They loosen and emulsify (dissolve into water) and suspend dirt and oils in solution to be rinsed away.
SOAP & DETERGENT CHEMISTRY
The higher the alkalinity, the more care is needed to prevent damage to the surfaces! (Use of pH 11 or higher on polished marble is not recommended!)
StoneClean Concentrates are crafted in an exacting way to avoid the common “pitfalls” of basic cleaning chemistry. They are able to accomplish a wide variety of cleaning tasks SAFELY without using caustic chemistry and without leaving cleaning RESIDUES.
The exacting way in which these ingredients are blended together allows them to do the work in this three in one step cleaning action!!
Give this product a try!
Ordering is also available by phone, as well as online thru this web site. Call 503-362-5651 or email me at wellnesssalt@yahoo.com

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