You should vacuum and sweep your stone floors as frequently as possible. Tiny particles, like dust and dirt, can get trodden into the stone, causing scratches. A regular vacuum or soft-bristled broom are sufficient for sweeping up dirt and debris.
If you're going to use a vacuum cleaner on your stone floors, stick to a soft brush attachment. When it comes to spills, clean them up as quickly as possible. Always “blot” and avoid using a wiping motion, as this will usually just spread the spill. Try diluting the spill with water and continue to blot.
Fill a recepient of warm water and use only water, or mix it with a small amount of neutral liquid “All-Purpose-Cleaner”, detergent or cleaning solutions specific for stone. Change the solution when it starts to get dirty. Dip a microfiber towel, a duster or a mop into the water mixture and start cleaning.
If you are cleaning a natural stone floor such as sandstone, slate, limestone, travertine etc the most effective way to clean it is to use an alkaline solution such as Floorseal Stone Floor Cleaner. Floorseal Stone Floor Cleaner is effective when cleaning ingrained grime and dirt.
Natural stone floors are porous. This means they have holes, which makes them highly susceptible to spills, cooking oil, dirt and grime. This stuff will penetrate natural stone that hasn't been sealed properly, causing stains and making it harder to clean and maintain.
Prone to water damage: Stone flooring is susceptible to water damage. Natural stone can easily stain, scratch and chip when exposed to water. It makes falls more dangerous: The natural strength of stone flooring can make slip and fall accidents more hazardous as there is less cushioning from the floor.
Swiffer SteamBoost powered by BISSELL is safe on most floor types. You can use it on marble & stone, ceramic tile, vinyl & linoleum, finished wood & laminate. Do not use your SteamBoost on waxed or unfinished wood floors.
'Avoid over-cleaning it as this will destroy the patina of age which gives the floor its character. If necessary, work gently using a non-acidic cleaner, such as washing soda, a soft scrubbing brush or mop and clean water, but never soak the floor. '
When you use products such as Fabuloso or Pine-sol, they are not the correct products for cleaning your tile or stone. They can leave a residue behind that can dull your surface.
Our Stone Cleaning Process
First we scrub grout lines with a pre-spray. Then we extract dirt and grime from the stone using a high-pressure rotary wand. Finally, our 3-step polishing process uses a series of buffer pads to polish your stone, removing etching and light scratches.
Clean stone surfaces with warm water and a mild soap such as a clear Dawn Liquid Soap. Do not use products that contain lemon, vinegar or other acids on marble or limestone.
DON'T: Use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges.
Windex; acidic cleaners, like vinegar, lemon, lime; or anything with ammonia or bleach should be avoided. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time.
Another factor is the use and traffic the floor receives. Some stone floors may take as long as seven years before you decide you need to give them a deep clean and a reseal. 'Stone floors certainly aren't as high maintenance as needing to be resealed every six months,' says Aidan.
In fact, vacuums are superior to mopping practices when it comes to your hardwood, because they suck up the debris and dirt straight away, rather than just spreading those scratch-causing particles around.
Typically, regular upkeep of stone flooring involves periodic washing, dusting, sealing, and polishing. Dirt, sand, and grit are the most abrasive substances for natural stone, so it's important to clean these up as quickly and frequently as possible.
Unfortunately, vinegar is an acidic substance, which means it can cause a chemical reaction on your natural stone surfaces known as etching. Etching is a form of physical damage on a natural stone's surface that appears as a dull mark.
It's essential to only use cleaners which are appropriate for natural stone surfaces. This means avoiding using vinegar. Stones like limestone, marble, or travertine will react to vinegar because it's an acidic cleaner with harsh effects. It can even lead to burning or etching to occur on the surface of the stone.
Because of their durability and strength natural stones are a noble and elegant choice for any home. The best types of stone flooring can suit all homes, adding value and a sophisticated finish to your space. Different types of stone flooring will work in most rooms, whether you have a contemporary or modern home.
We've said it before (and we'll say it again) DO NOT use Murphy's Oil Soap on any natural stone surface. Following our 20 years experience and the Marble Institute of America's Maintenance Guidelines, we recommend a neutral PH rinseless stone soap, used with an unbleached clean nylon pad to clean stone.
Can you clean stone floors with vinegar? Although cleaning with vinegar can work on other floor types, it's acidic and will eat away at the surface of your stone flooring. It should be avoided at all costs along with any other acidic solutions containing white vinegar, lemon or ammonia.
The best way to keeping stone floors shiny is by maintaining them regularly by vacuuming and mopping to keep dirt and grit off the floor. This will not only keep you from having to perform more aggressive stone floor services too often, but will save your customers money in the long run.
Diamond honing is the most popular restorative method for stone floors. It uses a floor machine, plain water, and specialty floor pads that have a coating of microscopic diamonds on one side.
Apply a paste of baking soda and water over the stain and leave it for 24 hours. Gently scrub the area and rinse it with plain water. Stains on Sandstone pavers, Travertine floor tiles, and Marble floors can easily be cleaned with a baking soda solution.
Steam cleaning can cause a condition known as spalling. Since most stone is porous, the high temperature of steam cleaning can cause pressure within the stone, which can lead to pitting and/or flaking of the surface of the stone.