Like any other flooring in your home, natural stone flooring must be cared for to maintain its perfect condition and appearance. From time to time, your stone flooring will need to be cleaned, polished, and even sealed, depending on what type of natural stone it is, as well as what wear-and-tear it’s exposed to over time.
Caring for your natural stone flooring doesn’t have to be complicated, but you want to make sure that you won’t cause any extra damage when doing so. Here are some key tips that Rock Doctor recommends to keep your floors looking shiny and new.
Special Cleaning Needs for Stone Flooring
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.
The biggest concern with cleaning natural stone flooring is what type of cleaner you should use. Your cleaner should be completely neutral, with a pH of 7. Anything below 7 is too acidic and is bound to wear down the stone’s sealant and cause etching. A pH above 7 is alkaline, leaving a residue that’s damaging to the stone if it isn’t neutralized and rinsed off.
When cleaning your stone flooring, use Flooraid Multi-Surface Liquid Floor Cleaner. It’s highly effective in removing tough stains, like grease and grime, and it’s an all-natural, non-abrasive cleaning product that’s safe to use around family and pets.
Flooraid cleaner is neutral, residue-free, and made from eco-friendly ingredients. For granite and quartz surfaces, try Rock Doctor’s Granite & Quartz Cleaner. This cleaner can be used for quartz and granite natural stone surfaces and is safe and effective for both the kitchen and bathroom.
Vacuuming and Sweeping
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. Microfiber cloths are also great at capturing dust while protecting the stone’s finish.
Mopping
When mopping natural stone floors, it’s important to use soft, microfiber mop pads and change them as needed to avoid damaging the stone with excess dirt. You can dust mop your stone flooring using the Flooraid cleaning solution. Use a spray bottle to lightly spritz the floor, or use a bucket to dip your microfiber mop pad.
You’ll want to avoid putting too much liquid on the stone’s surface. While extra water and cleaner can work well for places like the kitchen where it can more easily remove stuck-on food, it’s not ideal for other areas in your home.
Spraying the floor using a spray bottle minimizes any dirty liquid that could travel to grout lines or other holes in the floor, creating a larger mess. If you’re using a bucket, be sure to wring out your mop really well before using it on the floor and rinse your mop pad often to avoid scratching the stone.
Tile Crevices and Grout Lines
If your stone flooring has grout lines or crevices, you should use Rock Doctor’s Tile and Grout Cleaner to remove debris and grime. Dirt can easily become caught in grout lines, and if left untreated, your stone floor may be susceptible to permanent damage.
You can use a small scrubbing brush in the crevices to get rid of dirt, but be sure any tool you use is rubber and won’t potentially scratch the stone. If dirt buildup and stains are extreme, it’s probably best to call a stone or grout cleaning expert to ensure you don’t ruin your floor.
Tough Stain Removal
Any spills that occur on your natural stone flooring should be blotted up immediately. If you find that your stone has become especially stained in certain areas, or you’re having trouble cleaning off stubborn oil or grease stains, it’s best to use a stone cleaner from Rock Doctor.
When removing tough stains, first sweep up any loose debris. Wiping the area will only spread the spill; instead, flush the area with water and cleaner and rinse several times. Then dab with a dry, soft cloth and repeat as necessary. If you’re unsuccessful, it’s probably time to call a stone care professional.
Anytime you’re removing tough stains from your stone flooring, you’ll want to avoid products that are acidic or contain lemon juice or vinegar.
Other Stone Flooring Care Tips
Additionally, there are other care tips to follow if you have natural stone floors in your home. By taking small steps to maintain your floors daily, they will be much easier to clean and maintain. Some other suggestions to consider include:
- Non-slip mats and area rugs can help to prevent heavy wear or scratching, especially in entryways or gathering spaces where the floor experiences more use. Keep rugs or mats inside and outside all entrances to help minimize dirt, sand, and grit from getting on the floor.
- Avoid all ammonia-based cleaners when cleaning your stone flooring since these are known to dull the floor’s surface.
- Avoid any abrasive materials that could scratch the surface of your stone floor, including scrapers, abrasive cleaners, steel wool, and scrub pads.
Can You Polish Stone Flooring?
Your stone flooring can be polished, but it should be done by an experienced floor technician. If you want to do it yourself, make sure to use a natural stone polish with a low-RPM buffing machine or automatic scrubber at the slowest speed possible. Because polishing a stone floor correctly can be challenging, it’s best to hire a professional.
The next time you need to care for your stone flooring, Rock Doctor is here for you. We have a list of products to ensure your natural stone is properly cleaned and maintained. Visit our website at rockdoctor.com to learn more.
