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So what is Basalt exactly? It is an igneous and volcanic rock formed when basaltic lava is exposed on the surface of the planet (think of a volcano erupting and lava oozing) that cools very quickly and hardens into rock. Basalt is often compared to granite since both stones are igneous rocks. Both of these stones mostly do not contain calcium carbonate and typically do not react to acids. It is this bit of information that makes basalt a great choice for installations in homes and buildings \u2013 easy maintenance!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Speaking of maintenance, here are our recommendations to keep your basalt stone floor or countertop looking its best:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Clean regularly with neutral cleaners such as Lavenet<\/a>. For kitchen or bathroom countertops, I recommend Akemi Crystal Clean<\/a> to prevent calcium build up around sinks.<\/p>\n Since honed basalt stone can tend to be porous. I recommend sealing annually with an impregnator (penetrating) sealer such as Seal & Go\u00ae S<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Home owners: you would need to restore basalt as needed. Very worn and\/or damaged surfaces will require restoration<\/a> rather than standard cleaning, so give International Stoneworks a call if you need our services.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Building property managers: I highly recommend professional yearly maintenance<\/a> of the traffic areas (floors and stairs).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>