Advice on cleaning stone floors

Stone floors are a great choice for many locations, both domestic and commercial and offer a great range of qualities.  Aesthetically, the different types of stone (including, but not limited to, limestone, marble and slate) are naturally occurring and are therefore available in a limitless range of designs, colours and shapes.  The surface textures are variable and eye catching and often stone is chosen for this reason.  Alternatively, natural stone is a highly durable material which, if treated carefully and maintained correctly, should last for many years – an important consideration given the size of the investment.

Natural stone is certainly not the most difficult floor to clean and maintain (especially compared to alternative hard floors) – but one still needs to be careful to make sure that the floor is looked after and therefore maintains its eye pleasing appearance.  Following a few prevention tips and then simple cleaning steps should ensure you have a lovely finish for many years to come.

Assuming the floor has been correctly and professionally installed, the first stage of maintenance is the application of a good quality commercial sealant which offers an additional layer of protection, especially against spillages.  The sealer must be applied to an already clean floor (an amazingly common oversight) and must be the correct type of sealant for both the tile surface and the grout.  If you have any doubts consult a company which specializes in cleaning stone floors.

Once the floor has been sealed, cleaning becomes much simpler.  One of the keys to cleaning a stone floor is to remember that stone is a durable substance, but can mark surprisingly easily.  Limestone for example is highly susceptible to acids, so any cleaning products with an acidic content should, as a general rule, be avoided – as should products with bleach.  These products may not actually damage your floor per se, but they can discolour or mark the floor.

Cleaning can usually be done with a little warm water and detergent or a neutral PH cleaner, before which you should sweep and vacuum the floor (regularly in all fairness) to remove any surface dirt or bits of grit.  If you notice any staining or an uneven appearance – then it is possible that your surface cleaning hasn’t been thorough or that the sealant has been damaged in some way.  A specialist in cleaning stone floors will be able to advise you on the best way to deal with this problem.