Possible risks with Limestone cleaning

Limestone is one variety of natural stone which is commonly used for tiled floors, and has a number of benefits.  Like all natural stone, it offers a unique finish, both in terms of the stone itself and the type of finish, and offers a rustic, timeless look that will enhance any area.  It is a less durable substance than certain other types of natural stone such as slate, but is not a ‘soft’ material and is much more durable than often thought.

Many people choose limestone for purely aesthetic reasons, but it should be noted that limestone is not suitable for all locations and areas where spillages are a possibility, such as bathrooms and kitchens, should not be considered.  As limestone monuments show, exposure to liquids can mark limestone relatively easily, so if you are considering a limestone floor, bear that in mind.  If you already have a limestone floor, you will already be aware of its eye-pleasing appearance, but you will need to clean and maintain it carefully in order to keep it looking good – if you do so, it will last for many years to come.

One of the keys to maintaining your floor is protecting it.  It is important to seal the floor (after it has been properly cleaned) to offer protection and ‘waterproof’ it in case of any spillages.  It is important to choose the right type of sealant (you do not want a wax based sealant on a floor with slip resistant qualities, for example) and make sure that a grout sealant is also applied.  If you have doubts as to which type of sealant to use, a limestone cleaning specialist will be able to recommend one for you.

When your floor has been sealed it is important to protect the sealant, so regular sweeping and vacuuming (to remove any surface dirt and grit particles present) is highly recommended.  It is also important to take care when moving heavy objects such as furniture, and to take care with chair legs etc.  Surface scratching can remove the sealant, rendering it ineffective so it is recommendable to apply padded tips to the corners of pieces of furniture or chair legs.  Sealants should be periodically re-applied in any case top offer ongoing protection.

As for cleaning, assuming the sealant has been correctly applied and cared for, this should involve nothing more than a mop with warm water and a little detergent or a neutral PH cleaning product.  As a general rule, if you plan to use cleaning product – it I advisable to avoid products with any acidic content or bleached based products.  If you have any trouble cleaning and maintaining your limestone floor, a limestone cleaning company should be contacted.