Care and Maintenance

	Verona Shower System Care and Cleaning
	WALL SURFACES
	Routine cleaning Santa Margherita marble shower walls, should be cleaned thoroughly once every few weeks or as needed based on use. To clean, combine a small amount of low-pH neutral soap such as VMC-30 along with hot water into a bucket. Using a sponge or a very soft bristle brush, scrub the shower walls with the soapy water mixture. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any haze residue that may diminish the shine and beauty of the shower wall. Buff dry the surface with a clean cotton towel. Repeat this process again, if needed. You can also use this same soap and water mixture to clean the glass surrounds.
	Removing Hard Water Deposits, Soil, and Soap Build up To remove hard water deposits, soil, and soap build up you will need to use a soap scum remover specifically designed for use on marble surfaces. We recommend MUD Detergent available from VMC Technical Assistance Corporation (www.vmctac.com). This unique formulation allows you to remove the unwanted contaminates while improving the look of the stone surface. MUD is a non toxic neutral compound that is extremely user friendly. MUD has been developed for the specific purpose of cleaning and removing hard water deposits, soil, and soap build up from marble, granite, terrazzo, glass, fiberglass, polished metal and other smooth surfaces. Surface residue may also be removed using warm water and a Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser®. Rinse thoroughly and buff dry the surface with a clean cotton towel.

Periodic Maintenance

Santa Margherita engineered marble surfaces are very easy to maintain and with simple care, will retain its luster and beauty for many years. In effort to help minimize the potential for staining over time, we recommend that any Santa Margherita marble surface that is used in the shower be sealed once a year using a good impregnating sealer such as KleerSeal or Anti-Drop. For added protection you may also elect to apply Plus 10 to the shower walls. Plus 10 is a high quality, water based, silicone emulsion designed to clean, polish and protect non-floor stone surfaces without build-up.

PLEASE NOTE: KEEP PLUS 10 OFF FLOOR SURFACES, IT CAN CREATE A SLIP HAZARD.

SHOWER FLOOR (MarbaFloor) SURFACES

 Care and Cleaning

Verona shower floors should be cleaned thoroughly once a week or as needed based on use. You can use the same methods for routine cleaning and for removing hard water deposits, soil, and soap build up as outlined above for shower walls. We also recommend that Verona shower floors be sealed once a year as well. Using Plus10 on the shower floor is not recommended.

 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

 Chemicals to Avoid

Avoid exposing any Santa Margherita marble surface to chemicals and solvents, especially tile and grout cleaners that are not specifically designed for use on natural or engineered marble surfaces. Avoid using any harsh or abrasive cleaners such as Coment®, Softscrub®, Clean Shower® from Arm & Hammer®, Tilex®, bleach or cleansers that contain bleach and oil soaps. While casual exposure to alkaline materials will not damage Santa Margherita marble, highly alkaline (high-pH) cleansers are not recommended when cleaning marble. If any of the substances listed above come into contact with the surface, rinse the exposed surface immediately and thoroughly with water. Any cleaning products, other than those listed above should be tested in a non-conspicuous area before using. Many shower cleaners and household-cleaning products will do permanent damage to Santa Margherita marble surfacing. Use with caution and at your own risk.

  COUNTERTOP SURFACES

 Routine Care

Santa Margherita engineered marble surfaces are very easy to maintain and with simple care, will retain its luster and beauty for many years. For routine cleaning, use a damp cloth or paper towel and, if necessary, a small amount of mild soap. Once clean, rinse and dry surface thoroughly. Specialized products such as Quick Clean and Plus 10, available from VMC Technical Assistance Corporation, can be used to further assist with routine care and maintenance.

 Removing Difficult Spills

For stubborn or dried spills, use a nonabrasive cleaning pad such as a white 3M Scotch-Brite® scrub pad combined with a small amount of mild soap or specialized stone cleaner.

 Preventing Staining and Other Damage

Generally, prevention will save a great deal of time spent on cures and remedies, especially since damage to marble is often irreparable. A good commercial penetrating stone sealer, such as KleerSeal or Anti-Drop, available from VMC Technical Assistance Corporation, should be applied just prior to or immediately following installation to help prevent staining. The sealer should then be applied every year after to maintain an optimum level of stain prevention.

 Spills of any type should be immediately removed and rinsed with water. Santa Margherita may stain, etch or dull if exposed to liquids (such as wine, vinegar, tea, lemon juice and soda) or fruits and vegetables for prolonged periods of time. Coasters should be placed under all glasses, particularly those containing liquors or citrus juices. Santa Margherita marble surfaces can be damaged from prolonged exposure to heat, so you must always use a trivet or hot pad under heated dishes. Marble can also show scratches, the use of a cutting board is always recommended.

 FLOOR TILE SURFACES

 Routine Care

 Santa Margherita marble floors in high traffic areas should be cleaned daily with a clean, dry dust mop or soft bristle broom.  Santa Margherita marble floors in low traffic areas can be cleaned less frequently using the same method. Spills should be spot treated with the use of a damp mop or cloth towel and, if necessary, a small amount of mild soap or specialized stone cleaner.

 Santa Margherita marble floors should be cleaned thoroughly once a week or as needed due to traffic. Begin with a dry dust mop or soft bristle broom and remove loose dirt and debris. Then, clean the entire floor using a damp mop combined with a low-pH neutral floor cleaner such as VMC-30, available from VMC Technical Assistance Corporation. A floor machine such as a slow speed buffer or walk behind scrubber can be used for larger commercial environments. Be sure to rinse thoroughly to remove any haze residue that may diminish the shine and beauty of the floor.

 Heavily Soiled Floors

As with any floor, it makes sense to clean up spills as soon as possible. For stubborn or dried spills, use a nonabrasive cleaning pad such as a white 3M Scotch-Brite® scrub pad combined with a small amount of mild soap or specialized stone cleaner.

 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS

Chemicals To Avoid

Avoid exposing any Santa Margherita marble surface to chemicals and solvents, especially paint removers or furniture strippers containing trichlorethane or methylene chloride. Keep nail polish remover, bleach or cleansers that contain bleach, bluing, permanent markers or inks, and oil soaps away from marble.

While casual exposure to alkaline materials will not damage Santa Margherita marble, highly alkaline (high-pH) cleansers are not recommended when cleaning the surface. If any of the substances listed above come into contact with Santa Margherita marble, rinse the exposed surface immediately and thoroughly with water.