Congratulations! You made the right choice.

By choosing natural stone you made an excellent investment. You know that your new stone surface will give you years of functionality, but what you may not know is that in order to retain its beauty, some simple, yet important maintenance is needed.

The good news is that Custom Stone Interiors, Inc. uses premium protective and maintenance cleaners by Miracle™ that makes caring for your natural stone surfaces simple. By following these simple do's and don'ts, you will extend the life-and help preserve the value-of your stone investment.

This brochure was created on our website for your convenience. You can always refer to it when maintenance issues arise. But if you have questions that are not answered by this brochure please feel free to contact us.

The best way to prevent stains on stone is to treat it with a silicon based penetrating sealer. Natural stone can be porous and is susceptible to staining if sealers are not periodically applied. Sealers fill in natural pores and repel spills on the surface, giving you time to wipe them away before they have a chance to penetrate your stone. Just a few ounces of sealer can protect you stone for years. Sealers recommended by Custom Stone Interiors, Inc. will not permanently darken your stone. When sealer is applied you may notice that the stone looks darker than it originally did. But don't worry, once the sealer is allowed to cure fully (typically 12-24 hours) you will notice that the stone color looks as it originally did. When you purchase a countertop through Custom Stone Interiors, Inc. your countertop has been carefully sealed and is ready for immediate use. We recommend that one year from the time of original purchase that you reapply our recommended sealer. We recommend the use of Miracle™ stone care products. The procedure for applying the sealer is a very simple process that any homeowner can achieve. Simply wipe onto the surface with a clean rag or apply using a paint roller with a thin nap. Apply the sealer evenly and make sure you cover all areas. After application, allow the sealer to sit on the stone for several minutes. After several minutes wipe remaining residue with a dry cloth. Do not allow the sealer to dry on the surface. This will make it very difficult to remove it completely and will leave streaks that will need to be buffed out.

Once your stone is sealed with our recommended Miracle™ sealant product, cleanup will be a snap. But what should you use for everyday cleaning? Custom Stone Interiors recommends using a soapy water solution with a mild dish detergent. If you would like to take it a step further and use a cleaning product to eliminate streaking we recommend using Miracle™ Counter Kleen™. This product is very user friendly and works well on all types of natural stone. If you decide not to use this product, make sure that whatever product you do use is designed specifically for use on natural stone countertops. General cleaners not specifically formulated for natural stone or tile are never recommended. These can breakdown the sealer, thereby removing its protective properties and making the stone susceptible to stains. Many cleaning products designed for general everyday cleaning, including those that contain lemon, vinegar, bleach or ammonia can etch away the polish on many marbles and limestone stones or those that are Calcite based. Some products which have abrasives can even scratch the surfaces. In short, if a product doesn't specifically say for use on natural stone, do NOT use it on your countertops. We believe that the Miracle™ lines of products are the best products on the market to use on natural stone countertops. If they are used properly and regularly, your countertop will retain its original look and luster forever!

Follow these easy Do's and Don'ts to keep your stone looking beautiful forever!

• DO use Miracle™ professional cleaners and sealers.
• DO clean up spills immediately to minimize damage to your stone
• DO use place mats under china, ceramics, silver and other objects that can scratch your stone's surface.
• DO dust or carefully vacuum countertops, islands, and vanities frequently.
• DO use coasters under glasses, especially if they contain alcohol or citrus juices.
• DO clean surfaces regularly with Miracle™ professional products.
• Don't use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub and tile cleaners.
• Don't use vinegar, bleach, ammonia or other general purpose cleaners.
• Don't use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
• Don't use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.