Care & maintenance
We're confident you'll enjoy your Mistoa basin for many years. Thanks to our concrete blend and high-performance sealer only basic care is needed. Keep in mind that concrete basins require slightly more attention than traditional ceramic basins. The key to maintaining a Mistoa basin is giving it proper care—prevention is always better than correction. Most damage occurs due to user oversight. If you're not the only person cleaning this basin, please share this information with whoever does.
Basic care tips
Concrete basins require gentler cleaning methods than ceramic basins. While ceramic can withstand harsh scrubbing and strong cleaners, these aggressive approaches can damage concrete. With concrete basins, regular gentle maintenance prevents problems that would be difficult to fix later.
Choose light colors in areas with high mineral content water. Mineral salts are clear, so they contrast more with dark-colored basins. Dark basins would require greater attention and care to avoid this issue.
Avoid leaving soap, brushes, or any substance on your basin that could gradually deposit and dry on the surface.
Dry after each use and cleaning, particularly in regions where water has high mineral content. As water evaporates, salts deposit on surfaces, leaving water silhouettes marked.
Clean as soon as possible if any substance accidentally stains your basin. Time is crucial to prevent acids from damaging the sealer. Rinse and use a soft cloth with warm water or a pH-neutral detergent. If the stain persists, it's better to be patient and careful than to resort to acids or abrasives, which should be avoided as they will cause a greater problem.
Drain water accumulations and avoid leaving it filled with any liquid. Prolonged exposure may have unfavorable consequences.
Moderate water temperature—high-temperature water can damage concrete products, particularly when there's a significant temperature difference between the water and the basin.
Common threats
to concrete basins
Neglect and lack of attention.
The vast majority of products we've seen damaged are the result of serious neglect, often by third parties.
Damage prior to construction completion. Construction workers commonly use basins to clean their tools or dump acids or paints during final construction stages. Take extreme precautions and inform all workers on site.
Incorrect solutions. When a basin becomes stained with substances like toothpaste or lime buildup, people often panic and act impulsively, trying to clean it quickly with vinegar, acid, or some abrasive. This causes irreparable damage with worse consequences than the initial problem
Lack of recurring care. The best way to prevent mineral accumulation is through consistent drying after each use. While lime buildup affects all basin materials, concrete basins cannot be cleaned with the harsh chemicals and abrasive methods used on other materials.
Hard water and lime buildup
Some regions have water with high levels of mineral salts, such as calcium and magnesium. As water evaporates, salts deposit on surfaces, leaving water silhouettes marked. These silhouettes cause water to tend to accumulate and evaporate in the same position, creating a cycle in the same areas. This phenomenon occurs on any material where water evaporates and deposits its salts, including automotive paints.
The marks left by these salts are particularly visible on dark colors, as they contrast with the salt color. Colors that best disguise salt marks are light colors, particularly white. This general rule applies to any material, whether ceramic, concrete, or resin.
Abrasives and acids
The traditional solution for eliminating mineral salt deposits is cleaning with vinegar, given this substance's ability to dissolve mineral salts. This solution should not be applied to clean Mistoa basin surfaces, because the substance's acidity can irreparably damage the sealer.
Impacts on the basin
Avoid the impact of heavy objects directly on the basin. Although concrete is a very durable material, edges are most vulnerable and impacts can cause cracks and, in some situations, breaks. Avoid pushing or pulling the basin on any surface—this error is common during installation.
Sudden temperature changes
Causing sudden temperature changes in concrete products can cause them to crack. This phenomenon is known as thermal shock and is more prone to occur when ambient temperature is low and high-temperature water is poured. Avoid exposing your basin to temperature gradients exceeding 40°C. Never, under any circumstances, pour boiling water.
Time and use will naturally change the appearance of products, creating subtle variations in tone and texture. This natural aging process enhances concrete's inherent beauty without compromising the integrity or performance of our products.
If you have any questions about our products, the material, or any other concerns, contact us at info@mistoa.eu. We'll be delighted to help you.