On light colored stones, clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. On dark colored stones, clean with lacquer thinner or acetone. Small amounts can be removed with lacquer thinner or scraped off carefully with a razor blade.
Clean stone surfaces with a few drops of neutral cleaner, stone soap (specific products from Lithofin for example), or a dishwashing detergent and warm water. Use a clean soft cloth for best results. Too much cleaner or soap may leave a film and cause streaks.
Interior NATURE STONE® Brand Flooring such as basements may be cleaned by sweeping, washing, hosing, vacuuming, wet-dry shop vacuuming, floor scrubbing, deep extraction cleaning, or utilizing a carpet cleaning machine as necessary.
An oil-based stain will darken the stone and normally must be chemically dissolved so the source of the stain can be flushed or rinsed away. Clean gently with a soft, liquid cleanser with bleach OR household detergent OR ammonia OR mineral spirits OR acetone.
Vinegar, being acidic, can etch the surface of the stone, leading to dullness and potential damage. Over time, the use of vinegar can also degrade the protective sealants applied to the stone, making it more susceptible to staining and other forms of damage.
Avoid acidic cleaners since they can make the stone's surface look dull. Instead, use a pH-neutral cleaner formulated for stone. If the stone has become very dull, consider hiring a professional cleaner like Carr's Rug Cleaning to professionally hone and polish the floors, restoring their natural shine.
At such pH levels, baking soda can be described as being caustic, which means it isn't safe to use on natural stone.
We strongly advise against using bleach or any harsh chemicals to clean your stone floor tiles. Instead, make sure you use a pH neutral cleaner or a stone-friendly cleaner (that says it is suitable for natural stone).
Cover the stain completely with a thick layer of baking soda powder. For older stains, you can mix the baking soda with water and make a paste before applying it to the spot. Wipe the baking soda or the paste with a dry cloth after a few minutes. Use a clean non-corrosive cloth to wipe the stain completely.
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.
One of the major benefits of nature stone flooring is it's incredibly durable and long-lasting. This type of natural stone flooring can last up to 20 years or more with the right care and maintenance, so you won't need to replace your floors anytime soon.
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.
The microfiber scrubber mop pad is perfect for stone floors, since it is aggressive without being abrasive! Make sure to let the floor dry before you replace rugs because mold can develop.
Landscaping rocks, boulders and feature stones require some maintenance, but again, this is simple and easy. Cover the stones in a combination of water and washing up liquid or vinegar and use a scrubbing brush to clean the surface, removing any dirt and algae.
On light colored stones, clean with bleach or hydrogen peroxide. On dark colored stones, clean with lacquer thinner or acetone. Small amounts can be removed with lacquer thinner or scraped off carefully with a razor blade.
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.
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.
For organic stains, combine 12% hydrogen peroxide OR acetone with a powdered poultice material. Oil-based stains can typically be removed using a poultice of baking soda and water. To remove ink stains from light colored stone, use hydrogen peroxide OR bleach; for dark stones, use acetone OR lacquer thinner.
Baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are the same thing. It's just that baking soda is the name most commonly used in America. Here in the UK we tend to call it bicarbonate of soda. Soda crystals are NOT the same as bicarbonate of soda.
For a simple, eco-friendly homemade cleaning solution, mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a bucket. You can also add a few drops of mild detergent for extra cleaning power. Alternatively, you can use a specialised stone cleaner or a mild bleach solution (1 part bleach to 10 parts water) if you prefer.
Choose Wet-Look Sealants, the Practical Way on How to Make Rocks Look Wet. In our online store, we recommend two specific wet-look sealants: the TSSPro 300 & the TSSPro 400. The TSSPro 300 is a wet-look low-sheen sealer. On the other hand, the TSSPro 400 is an HD wet-look high-gloss sealer.