A polished and sealed marble, cultured marble or travertine surface  can still be vulnerable to etching and stains. Marble Repair may be needed from stains and etching from foreign substances like acids and chlorides that erode away the sealer protecting the natural stone if left unattended for long periods of time. the only marble repair known method to fix this type of damage is diamond sanding marble or resurfacing natural stone. These marble stains and marble etching can be prevented just by sealing your marble or travertine surface after it is cleaned and polished. However any natural stone surface can still not be completely resilient against preventing acid or oils spills from being absorbed by the stone.

It is very important to know that any polished and sealed natural stone surface like marble and travertine can still be vulnerable to etching and stains after it is sealed.A sealer does not give 100% protection 100% of the time. Given enough time foreign substances erode away the sealer. Unfortunately and contrary to popular belief a natural stone sealer does not give 100% protection 100% of the time. and create damage to the surface of the stone. A good marble impregnator or natural stone sealer is crucial to helping keep stains and etching from occurring.The best policy to avoid expensive repairs in your marble or travertine stone surface is to wipe out any spills immediately after they occur, do this by simply blotting the area where the spill happened with water, this helps you prevent spreading the spill even further.“Marble, travertine repair and restoration is a very detail-oriented & meticulous process, for good results to be achieved there needs to be a periodic maintenance of the natural stone floor or countertop surface. Having the experience, the skill and right human element  it is an art in itself, it means the difference between a fairly decent repair job and a work of art. We can make it look almost like new”Amongst the different types of repairs that we can fix with marble and travertine are the following: marble and travertine crack repair, marble and travertine lippage reduction or removal, travertine hole and spall repair, marble and travertine table repair, marble and travertine chip repair, etc. in Newport Beach CA

As a ceramic tile installer, I’m often been asked about the best way to maintain a shower to avoid costly repairs in the future.

First, a quick fact about the grout used when your tile was installed. Grout is made with a water repellency built in, which is meant to provide years of use when being maintained. In a perfect world, your grout should look shiny and bright forever.

However, that’s not the case in most of the homes I visit. In most houses, even with the best use of cleaning practices, yellowing and mildewing still persist. But why?

Lets look at the facts about grout.

In a home with three people showering once a day, 365 days a year, the shower is used 1,095 times in one year. Over time, that’s an awful lot of showers. Also, consider the fact that unlike your car that stays outdoors, your shower doesn’t get sunny days in between to dry off.

This heavy abuse really creates a need to maintain your grout to keep it clean, sealed and looking pretty. Unfortunately, the products sold on the market today to clean grout have harsh chemicals that deliver a quick fix to the eye, but eventually wear down your grout’s repellency over time, causing grout to turn into a water absorbing, chalk like consistency.

The result of this is mildewing and discoloring. Grout that absorbs water grows mildew and permanently stains, and the only fix at this point is a total re-grout – a somewhat expensive option.

Sometimes its not just mildew we’re seeing. Another culprit of stained grout is our local water supply. Rust in the your water could be a major contributor of staining. Whole house water filters should be considered if your house’s water supply is especially rust filled.

So how do you keep your showers looking nice?

1. Consider changing your shampoo. 

When you read the ingredients list on the back of your shampoo bottle, do you see dyes and colorings in the product? If so, I recommend that you choose a new shampoo that is more natural without colorings in them.

You will be doing your shower a favor, and more importantly, your body. Dyes are not good for you or your family’s health and can also stain the grout in your bathroom.

2. Stay away from harsh cleaning chemicals. 

Harsh cleaners may make your grout look cleaner, but they also strip away the water repellency that we talked about earlier. Bleach is especially bad about this.

A mixture of approximately one-third white vinegar to two-thirds water is what I recommend to my customers to clean their grout. Use a soft scrub brush with a little elbow grease.

3. Seal the grout. 

Most home stores have sealing products readily available. They add water repellency back into the grout that’s lost over time. Grout that is sealed will be more stain resistant. I recommend sealing at least once or twice a year depending on how many people use the shower on a daily basis.

4. Invest in a squeegee. 

Preferably, you’ll want to find a squeegee with a suction cup that will mount in your shower, making it handier when you need it. Using it after each shower will allow less water to dry on your grout, tile and shower doors, thereby leaving less mineral deposits behind.

In closing, I recommend a yearly visit by your tile man to keep your shower looking new. I know most people will scoff at this recommendation because of the expense, but it will be negligible compared to the cost of having to rip out your shower and install a new one when it goes bad.

Depending on foot traffic and lifestyle, Jeff Bryant, president of highly rated Pacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning in Newport Beach, Calif., recommends carpet cleaning about once a year. However, Bryant says a lot of companies advertise low prices per room and then raise the fee when they get to the home. He advises asking what services are included in the price upfront.

“The bait and switch companies count on the fact that you … may need to have it done that day for a special event,” he says. Be sure you’re dealing with a scrupulous company by asking these questions:

1. Do you offer free estimates?

“We encourage people to get two or three estimates so that they are comfortable with their decision,” Bryant says.

2. What carpet cleaning method do you use?

Townshend and Whisenant both use hot water extraction, or steam cleaning, which they say is the recommended carpet cleaning method by the majority of carpet manufacturers. Bryant adds that a carpet cleaning technician’s experience can play a big role in the quality of work done. He recommends doing research on the carpet cleaning company, including checking consumer reviews.

3. Are you bonded and insured?

Improper chemical use could ruin your carpets, so make sure a carpet cleaning company has bonding and insurance. Bryant recommends requesting to see proof of insurance from the company. He also advises pointing out areas of concern with your carpet cleaner upfront.

4. How long will it take for my carpet to dry?

Bryant tells consumers to allow 24 hours for complete carpet drying, due to many variables such as fiber type and humidity. However, there are ways to shorten the drying time, such as opening windows, using fans or turning the heat up in the winter. They also provide booties to wear so you don’t have to leave the home while his company cleans the carpets, and Townshend recommends keeping pets off the clean carpet while it dries.

5. Is your work guaranteed?

Guarantees are pretty common in the carpet-cleaning business but can come with different conditions, so be sure to ask upfront. Pacific offers a 30-day guarantee if you find any missed spots or if something doesn’t look right. This guarantee covers the carpet cleaning, but not any fresh spills.

I know it’s just my imagination, but my car always seems to drive better when it’s freshly washed. That’s especially true if the interior looks clean and spiffy.

We spend a lot of time in our vehicles. Keeping a car’s interior in good shape is not just an investment in the vehicle, it’s an easy way to rev up the quality of everyday life.

Here are tips for keeping your car’s carpet and upholstery in tiptop shape, gleaned from our researchers’ interviews with highly rated auto experts:

Basic care

• Don’t allow smoking; it leaves a nasty residue and odor.
• Clean spills immediately. Dilute with cool — not hot — water. Blot excess with a clean rag or paper towel.
• Vacuum dirt and debris regularly.
• Deep-clean fabric upholstery and carpet. Mix a cup of vinegar and some dish soap in a gallon of hot water. Use a hard-bristle brush to work into fibers. Let sit for about 30 minutes before rinsing with water and blotting dry.
• Clean leather with a cloth soaked in water and a low-pH soap. Allow to thoroughly dry. Condition to prevent drying and cracking.
• Clean vinyl upholstery with a damp rag and baking soda. Rinse with water and dish soap. Avoid using oil- or mineral-based cleaners, which can make vinyl stiff.
• Shampoo upholstery and carpet every three months or more.
• Have the interior detail-cleaned every year or so.

Special situations

Stubborn stains: Some fabric or carpet stains that remain even after initial cleaning can be broken up with glass cleaner. First, test an inconspicuous area to be sure it won’t create damage. Then, saturate area with glass cleaner, let sit for five minutes and blot to clean.

Ink: After testing a hidden area for possible damage, coat stain with hair spray. Allow it to absorb for a few minutes, then wipe off. Repeat as needed.

Blood: Make a paste of cold water and powdered laundry detergent. Apply to the stain until dry, then brush or vacuum all excess detergent.

Faded carpet: For non-wool carpet, try ammonia. First, vacuum thoroughly. Then, mix half a cup of ammonia and a pint of water and mop into the carpeting. Blot any excess.

Carpet or fabric indentation: Cover the mark with a damp towel. Gently iron towel with an iron set on low. To avoid melting fibers, don’t use a hot iron and don’t leave in one spot for too long.

Hiring a pro

Many businesses provide detailed interior and exterior cleaning. Others specialize in repairing or replacing carpet and upholstery, and can fix or upgrade seats, trim, sagging or loose headliners, convertible tops, vinyl roof covers, dashboards, door panels and other vehicle elements.

Some auto detailing shops also provide upholstery services. And many carpet and upholstery businesses will also work on vehicles.

Before you hire someone, consider these tips:

Ask about experience with your type of project. Even within the automotive upholstery field, professionals may specialize in one particular type, such as convertible tops.

Review the company’s portfolio. Before and after photos can you give you a good idea of the service provider’s skills and an idea of how your final project will appear.

Ask friends or family members for recommendations. Check how the company rates on a trusted online review site.

Visit the shop. This is a good idea if you plan to leave your vehicle for more than one day. Is the shop clean and organized? Does it have adequate lighting and security?

Our company offers safe and effective upholstery cleaning too in Newport Beach. We can spot clean and pre-condition your upholstery to make sure that it looks clean and attractive. Our technicians have the right tools and cleaning supplies to work on all types of upholstery without causing any damages. We can get rid of stains, pet hair, and more.