Problem Solving - FAQ

Q: My outdoor terrace is green and slippery - how do I treat it?

This is algae and/or moss growth. Spray Lithofin ALGEX undiluted onto the dry surface. Leave 24-48 hours (choose a day without rain). The ALGEX kills the growth at root level. After 24-48 hours, rinse with a garden hose or gentle pressure washer. For stubborn growth: scrub with a stiff brush before rinsing. ALGEX also works preventively - applying it annually in early spring prevents growth before it starts. After cleaning, consider sealing with MN Stain-Stop to reduce future growth.

Q: My cotto floor has yellowish wax build-up - how do I fix it?

This happens when multiple wax layers are applied without removing the old ones, or when wax is applied too thickly. You need to strip completely and start fresh. Apply Lithofin WAX-OFF undiluted. Leave 15-30 minutes. Scrub vigorously with stiff brush or scrubbing machine. Remove dissolved wax with clean cloths. Rinse. Repeat 2-4 times until all old wax is gone (the surface should look uniform). Then start fresh: TC Classic Primer, let dry, then TC Classic Wax in thin coats, buffing each one.

Q: My polished marble has lost its shine - how do I restore it?

First, identify the cause. If it is etch marks from acid: use Lithofin MN Polish Cream for spot treatment. If it is general dullness from wear: use Lithofin MN Polish Liquid applied with a cloth or polishing machine, then buff. If it is residue build-up from wrong cleaners: strip with MN Power-Clean undiluted first. For heavily worn floors: professional diamond pad polishing may be needed. After restoring shine, maintain with MN Wash & Clean only.

Q: How do I clean and protect dirty grout lines?

Step 1: Clean with Lithofin KF Grout Cleaner - apply directly to grout lines, leave 5-10 minutes, scrub with a brush. Step 2: For mouldy grout, use Lithofin KF Mildew-Away first. Step 3: Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry. Step 4: Apply Lithofin KF Grout Protector to seal the clean grout lines - this prevents rapid re-soiling and water absorption. The combination of cleaning + protecting gives much longer-lasting results than cleaning alone.

Problem Solving

19 frequently asked questions

How do I remove cement haze left after tile installation?

For ceramic/porcelain tiles: use Lithofin KF Cement Residue Remover, undiluted or diluted 1:3 for light haze. Apply, leave 5 minutes, scrub, rinse thoroughly. For acid-resistant natural stone (granite, slate): use Lithofin MN Builders' Clean diluted 1:3. For acid-sensitive stone (marble, limestone, bluestone): use MN Builders' Clean diluted 1:5 to 1:10, pre-wet the surface first, and work quickly. Always rinse very thoroughly after treatment.

White powdery deposits keep appearing on my stone - what is it?

This is efflorescence - salt deposits left when water migrates through the stone and evaporates on the surface. On new installations, this is common (construction moisture) and usually resolves within the first year. If it keeps recurring, there is an active moisture source (rising damp, leaking pipe, poor drainage) that must be addressed. Brush off dry deposits. For stubborn salts on acid-resistant stone: MN Builders' Clean diluted 1:5. On marble/limestone: MN Power-Clean (alkaline). Fix the moisture source for a permanent solution.

How do I remove rust stains from stone?

Use Lithofin Rust-EX - apply undiluted directly on the rust stain. Leave 5-15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water. On acid-sensitive stone (marble, limestone): use shorter contact time (3-5 minutes) and rinse immediately. On granite/slate/basalt: can leave longer. Repeat for stubborn stains. Important: identify and remove the rust source (metal furniture leg, nail, steel wool fragment) or the stain will recur.

Recommended: Lithofin Rust-EX

How do I get rid of mould in my bathroom grout?

Spray Lithofin KF Mildew-Away directly onto the mouldy grout lines. Leave 15-30 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush or grout brush. Rinse thoroughly. For deeply embedded mould in silicone joints: the silicone may need to be removed and replaced with mould-resistant silicone. Crucially: improve ventilation! Run the extractor fan during and 15 minutes after showering, open windows daily. Without better ventilation, mould will always return.

How do I remove limescale from my bathroom tiles?

On ceramic/porcelain tiles: Lithofin KF Ceramic-Clean is perfect - apply, leave 5-10 minutes, scrub, rinse. Safe and very effective. On granite/slate/basalt: KF Ceramic-Clean or MN Builders' Clean diluted - these stones are acid-resistant. On marble/limestone: DO NOT use acid-based limescale removers! Use Lithofin MN Power-Clean (alkaline) with gentle scrubbing. For heavy limescale on marble: carefully use a plastic scraper, then MN Power-Clean. Prevention: squeegee after showering.

I spilled olive oil on my marble countertop and it left a dark mark. Help!

Act quickly - the sooner you treat it, the better the result. Apply Lithofin OIL-EX as a thick paste over the entire stain, extending 2cm beyond the edges. Cover with cling film. Leave 4-12 hours. Remove paste, clean with MN Wash & Clean. If the stain has lightened but not disappeared, repeat. For fresh stains (< 1 hour): you may succeed with MN Power-Clean undiluted and vigorous scrubbing. After successful removal: seal with MN Stain-Stop to prevent future stains.

My outdoor terrace is green and slippery - how do I treat it?

This is algae and/or moss growth. Spray Lithofin ALGEX undiluted onto the dry surface. Leave 24-48 hours (choose a day without rain). The ALGEX kills the growth at root level. After 24-48 hours, rinse with a garden hose or gentle pressure washer. For stubborn growth: scrub with a stiff brush before rinsing. ALGEX also works preventively - applying it annually in early spring prevents growth before it starts. After cleaning, consider sealing with MN Stain-Stop to reduce future growth.

My cotto floor has yellowish wax build-up - how do I fix it?

This happens when multiple wax layers are applied without removing the old ones, or when wax is applied too thickly. You need to strip completely and start fresh. Apply Lithofin WAX-OFF undiluted. Leave 15-30 minutes. Scrub vigorously with stiff brush or scrubbing machine. Remove dissolved wax with clean cloths. Rinse. Repeat 2-4 times until all old wax is gone (the surface should look uniform). Then start fresh: TC Classic Primer, let dry, then TC Classic Wax in thin coats, buffing each one.

My polished marble has lost its shine - how do I restore it?

First, identify the cause. If it is etch marks from acid: use Lithofin MN Polish Cream for spot treatment. If it is general dullness from wear: use Lithofin MN Polish Liquid applied with a cloth or polishing machine, then buff. If it is residue build-up from wrong cleaners: strip with MN Power-Clean undiluted first. For heavily worn floors: professional diamond pad polishing may be needed. After restoring shine, maintain with MN Wash & Clean only.

How do I clean and protect dirty grout lines?

Step 1: Clean with Lithofin KF Grout Cleaner - apply directly to grout lines, leave 5-10 minutes, scrub with a brush. Step 2: For mouldy grout, use Lithofin KF Mildew-Away first. Step 3: Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry. Step 4: Apply Lithofin KF Grout Protector to seal the clean grout lines - this prevents rapid re-soiling and water absorption. The combination of cleaning + protecting gives much longer-lasting results than cleaning alone.

How do I repair scratches on marble floors?

Light scratches: Lithofin MN Polish Cream applied with a cloth in circular motions can reduce or remove surface scratches on polished marble. For moderate scratches: MN Polish Liquid with a felt pad or polishing machine. For deep scratches: professional diamond-pad honing and re-polishing is needed. Prevention: use felt pads under furniture legs, place walk-off mats at entrances, sweep regularly to remove abrasive grit, lift furniture rather than dragging.

Red wine spilled on my marble - what do I do?

Act immediately! 1) Blot (don't wipe) the wine with a clean cloth. 2) If the stain has set: make a paste with Lithofin MN Power-Clean and paper towels, apply over the stain, cover with cling film, leave 12-24 hours. 3) For deep stains, Lithofin OIL-EX may help draw out the colour. 4) Note: red wine on marble often causes TWO problems: a colour stain AND an etch mark (wine is acidic). After removing the stain, you may need MN Polish Cream to restore the polish. 5) Always seal marble with MN Stain-Stop to prevent future stains.

What causes white rings on my marble from cups?

These are usually etch marks, not stains. Cold glasses cause condensation, and this water (which can be slightly acidic) sits on the marble surface, causing a chemical reaction with the calcium carbonate. The white ring is actually the marble surface that has been slightly dissolved/roughened. Treatment: MN Polish Cream rubbed in circular motions until the ring disappears and the shine is restored. Prevention: always use coasters, and keep marble sealed with MN Stain-Stop.

I accidentally used an acid cleaner on my marble - what now?

Rinse immediately with plenty of water to neutralise remaining acid. The damage is likely etching (dull, rough spots) where the acid dissolved the marble surface. For light etching: Lithofin MN Polish Cream rubbed in circular motions can restore shine. For moderate etching over a larger area: MN Polish Liquid with a polishing pad. For severe etching: professional re-polishing may be needed. After repair, seal with MN Stain-Stop. In the future: only use MN Wash & Clean or MN Power-Clean on marble - never acid products.

My floor looks hazy/cloudy after mopping - what is wrong?

This is almost always caused by product build-up from using the wrong cleaner. Supermarket floor cleaners often contain wax, silicone, or surfactants that leave a residue that builds up with every clean. Solution: deep clean with Lithofin MN Power-Clean (for stone) or KF Intensive Cleaner (for tiles) to strip the residue. Then switch to the correct daily product: MN Wash & Clean for stone, KF Conditioning Cleaner for tiles, or EASY-CARE for any surface. These products are residue-free.

My polished stone bathroom floor is dangerously slippery when wet

Apply Lithofin Anti-Slip - it creates an invisible micro-texture that dramatically improves wet-slip resistance. For marble/limestone: apply undiluted, leave 5-8 minutes only (calcareous stone - shorter contact time). Rinse very thoroughly. Test the result: the surface should feel noticeably less slippery when wet but look virtually unchanged. May need re-treatment every 1-2 years. For immediate safety: use non-slip bath mats until treatment is applied.

Recommended: Lithofin Anti-Slip

How do I remove coffee or tea stains from stone?

Fresh stains: blot immediately, then clean with Lithofin MN Power-Clean undiluted. Scrub gently, rinse. Set stains: apply MN Power-Clean as a paste (thickened with paper towels), cover with cling film, leave 12-24 hours. For very stubborn organic stains, a hydrogen peroxide solution can help (on white stone only). After removal, seal with MN Stain-Stop. Note: coffee and tea stains on sealed stone usually wipe off easily - this is why sealing is so important.

How do I protect outdoor stone from frost damage?

Frost damages stone when water inside the pores freezes and expands. Prevention: 1) Seal with a breathable impregnator (MN Stain-Stop or MN Basic Protection) - this prevents water from entering while allowing moisture to escape. 2) Ensure proper drainage slope (min 1-2%) so water doesn't pool. 3) Keep stone free of leaves and debris that trap moisture. 4) Re-seal before winter. Most susceptible: sandstone, limestone, cotto. Most resistant: granite, basalt, slate. New concrete must cure 28 days before sealing.

How do I remove paint spills from stone?

Fresh paint: wipe immediately with a cloth, then clean with MN Power-Clean. Dried latex/acrylic paint: soften with warm water and gently scrape with a plastic scraper. Clean residue with MN Power-Clean or WAX-OFF. Dried oil-based paint: Lithofin WAX-OFF is the best option - it dissolves oil-based paints and varnishes. Apply, leave to soften, scrape gently, repeat. Always use a plastic scraper (never metal) to avoid scratching. Test WAX-OFF on a small area first on sensitive stone.

Recommended: Lithofin MN Power-Clean, Lithofin WAX-OFF

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