what is basaltina?

We just bought a home with beautiful, gray, honed-looking countertops that are "basaltina". What is this stone, and how should we care for it?

 

Dear Ingrid:

Basaltina is extrusive basalt. It's a very porous stone and I consider it a poor choice for a busy kitchen. So, make sure that's sealed properly and if it is not, insist with all your might that whoever installed it finishes the sealing job.

How do you find out if it was sealed properly?

Spill some water and some baby oil in a couple of spots of your stone, let it dwell for 5 minutes or so, wipe it dry and observe if the areas under which the water and the baby oil has been sitting have become (temporarily) any darker than the rest. If so, it means that the stone was not sealed properly. If not, all you will need to do is to still be very careful and use the appropriate stone care products for routine care, like MB-5.

(Don't be afraid, even the baby oil will completely evaporate, though it will take longer than water.)

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?

Ciao and good luck,

Maurizio Bertoli

 

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