Limestone cleaning – Avoid surface marking

Limestone has, as a material, been used for building and constructing monuments for hundreds of years, whilst it also has a rich history in terms of use as a flooring material.  One of the reasons for enduring is its quality as a floor and the rugged, timeless good looks which offers a classic finish and will enhance any location.  It is, however, similar to hardwood in that, for many years, a lack of knowledge led to a rapid deterioration in its finish and that has often led to the perception that it is not a good choice if you are looking for a floor that will last many years.  As with many types of flooring, with proper care a limestone floor will last for many years – but careful cleaning and maintenance is fundamental.

Limestone is tougher and more durable than most people imagine and, while less durable and more prone to wear than marble, will last for many years.  Part of this image comes from the material’s porosity and proneness to becoming marked in certain circumstances.  Water and any liquid with an acidic content can etch and mark the floor’s surface, so as a general rule limestone is not usually recommended for locations where spillages are likely such as kitchens and washrooms.

Several cleaning tips will, if followed regularly and correctly, offer ongoing protection for your limestone floor – and maintain the finish.  The first step is, after the floor has been properly cleaned (consult a limestone cleaning specialist if you are unsure how to clean an un-sealed floor), the application of a good quality commercial sealant – which will offer an additional layer of protection and reduce the porosity of the material.  This will be particularly helpful if there are any spillages which can damage the floor, but will also assist your cleaning efforts.

Once a sealant has been applied, the next step is to keep the floor clean, and that means regular cleaning, as well as ongoing protection for the sealant itself.  Surface scratches and tiny abrasions can damage the sealant and expose the surface of the floor, so care should be taken to prevent this.  Regular sweeping and vacuuming, and the use of doormats will help to prevent scratching caused by dirt and grit walked in on the soles of shoes – while care should also be taken when moving heavy objects such as furniture.

Cleaning itself to remove surface grime or bacteria should be done with warm water or a neutral PH cleaner.  Acidic cleaners or bleach should be avoided at all costs as they can etch or cause discolouring of the limestone itself, especially if the surface of the floor itself has been exposed.  Regular mopping, combined with the use of a sealant, should be enough to keep the floor looking clean.  If you do notice a build-up of staining or marking on the floor it is possible that the floor hasn’t been cleaned correctly or that the sealant has worn off.  In either case you would be advised to contact a limestone cleaning company to deal with this in a professional way.