Cleaning limestone before tiling

[riff]

Have limestone tiles to go on the wall & know I have to wash them first - this is what my supplier says:

''Stones are often packed into crates very tightly, are wet at the point of production and may have residue from the various finishing processes employed. Therefore it is recommended that tiles are washed, either with clean water or a dilution of FilaCleaner and are allowed to dry completely before installation. They will often lighten in colour as they dry. Dry tiles are necessary prior to installation as any unusual tonal markings can be placed in less visible areas or used in cuts''.

My question is: do the tiles have to be completely dry before fixing for any practical reason i.e. will the adhesive not work if they're slightly damp still? Powdered adhesive has to be mixed with water so I would've thought that so long as the tiles not dripping wet it wouldn't matter?

Thanks

 

[Concrete guy]

It makes more sense about the tone than fixing.

I used to import and wholesale tiles, it's not uncommon the tiles are packed wet so it was always sensible to get them unpacked and indoors.

I'm not sure I ever advised anyone to wash stone before fitting, it's constantly cleaned during fitting so I believe that's likely to be a butt covering statement should a customer be unhappy about what they've been delivered.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

You wouldn't catch me fixing a 'wet' LIMESTONE tile!
I'd sponge the backs to ensure no residue however the body of the tile would still be completely dry before white cement based adhesives were in contact.
There are other considerations I'd have for the surface other than getting them wet.