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.
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.
Keep It Simple to Clean Natural Stone
You can use any type of mild soap detergent, such as dish or hand soap, and mix it with a little water. Wet the stone first, and then use a bristle brush and soap solution to wipe the stone clean. The last step is to make sure you rinse thoroughly.
Unsealed Floors
While there are plenty of uses for a steam cleaner, the first rule of thumb to follow is that you should not use yours on unsealed flooring. Too much moisture can cause unsealed wood flooring to warp. Unglazed tile is very porous, which makes it similarly unsuitable for steam cleaning.
'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. '
Best stone tile cleaner: Bona Stone Tile & Laminate Spray
It has a rinse-free and streak-free formula that removes dust, dirt, and grime. This safe and effective tile cleaner can be used around children and pets.
Vacuum or sweep regularly with soft brush attachments
For daily maintenance and cleaning natural stone tiles, we advise sweeping and vacuuming with a soft brush attachment. This is very effective at removing any dirt or dust off the surface of your stone floor.
Anything that can be damaged due to heat exposure, such as water-based paint and cardboard. Porous surfaces, such as stucco, brick, and marble. Large industrial spaces and food plants. Large areas of carpet.
Tough on Dirt and Mold
A steam cleaner does to stubborn dirt which a regular mop can never do without cleaning products. Since a steam mop uses water, it makes the grime and dirt loosen before the mop head absorbs it. Also, steam dries quicker than water, so you don't have to worry about mold regrowth after you clean.
So, where does the dirt go when you steam clean? Actually, it doesn't go anywhere. Instead, the heat and vapour of steam cleaning ensure that all the unwanted substances or stains are fully broken down and easy to get rid of.
When cleaning natural stones like marble, limestone, and onyx, you can't reach for your regular cleaners like white vinegar, lemon juice, bleach, or abrasive cleansers. These cleaners are too acidic for natural stone and can damage or etch the stone (although some can help remove rust from concrete).
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.
Warm soapy water and a soft cloth will clean and shine on both surfaces. You can also clean with a stone specific cleaner formulated to be gentle and effective on stone surfaces. Never use abrasive cleansers, “soft scrub” products, or harsh/acidic chemicals on any stone as these can scratch or dull the polished finish.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid Using Too Much Soap
Soap only lifts dirt and oil into water, making them suspend in water. Therefore, the more soap you use, the more your mop gets saturated with dirt. So, if you do not remove all the soapy water from the floor, the dirt remains, forming streaks on the floor.
Steam mops can damage the surfaces of cork tiles and unsealed or waxed timber. However, they should be suitable for most hard floors, including vinyl, ceramic tiles, linoleum, marble, stone and sealed timber – with some caveats.
Do: Wipe up excess dirt before steaming. Steam mops essentially employ steam to loosen grime, which the mop head then clears away, but there's no suction element in this appliance. This means that surface dirt will need to be vacuumed or swept up before you begin or you'll only succeed in pushing dirt across the house.
Your carpet will be only slightly damp to the touch after your cleaning. Most carpets typically need 6-10 hours to dry completely. However, it could take up to 24 hours to dry depending on the time of year your carpets are cleaned, and the air circulation, humidity and temperature in your home.
That being said, because the Self-Clean process is longer and a little more in depth, it does clean the oven better when it comes to tough grease spots and caked on debris and requires little to no wiping or elbow grease compared to Steam-Clean.
Conclusion. Ultimately, running your vacuum over your carpets after a professional deep clean is great but remember to do it only after your carpet is completely dry. Vacuuming your carpet when it's still damp could cause dirt to be transferred from your vacuum cleaner, so patience does pay off.
If you have natural stone tiles anywhere in your house, avoid cleaning them with vinegar, lemon, or ammonia. The acidity in the products etches and dulls the stone, says Elena Ledoux, owner of Superb Maids in Las Vegas, Nevada. To repair, it will require a very expensive re-polishing process.