Stone Flooring Care
Stone is an exceptionally sturdy natural flooring product that has been used for centuries. While natural stone tile flooring is notably durable and relatively scratch-resistant, it requires frequent cleaning. With proper care and maintenance, stone floors can last for decades. Learn more about how to keep your natural stone flooring in top condition.
Maintaining Stone Tile
An essential component of maintaining stone tile flooring is making sure it is adequately sealed. Without proper sealing and caulking in kitchens, bathrooms, and other spaces that get wet, water can reach the subfloor and cause cracks in tiles.
Dirt, dust, small rocks, and sand are abrasive, which means they can scratch your floors, wear down the material, and mar the finish. To prevent the accumulation of dirt and other abrasive substances, you can place doormats both inside and outside of each entrance. Area rugs can also keep particles off your floors and mitigate damage –– just make sure you shake out and clean your mats and rugs on a regular basis. Heavy foot traffic can also wear on natural stone tile. To offset this, some people opt to rearrange their furniture every couple of years, which evens out the wear-and-tear. When it comes to maintaining stone tile and increasing its lifespan, one of the best things you can do is to keep your floors clean.
How to Clean Natural Stone Tile
Not only does regular cleaning make your floors look great, but it will also help you maintain their integrity. For day-to-day cleaning of natural stone, mopping with a dry microfiber mop is best. You can also use a soft-bristle broom or a vacuum to pick up dirt and dust –– just make sure your vacuum has a specific setting for hard floors. Sealed stone tile flooring is susceptible to staining, so it’s crucial that spills are blotted up immediately with a clean cloth. Once every week or two, it’s a good idea to clean your floors with a damp mop and a cleaning solution that is formulated specifically for natural stone flooring.
The Best Stone Floor Cleaning Products
When cleaning stone floors, abrasive cleaning products –– including those with ammonia, vinegar, lemon, or acids –– should not be used because they can scratch the surface and discolor the tiles and grout. Wax is also not recommended for natural stone, as it can dull the finish. So, what do you clean natural stone floors with?
For general polishing, use a neutral pH solution such as StoneTech KlenzAll, StoneTech Revitalizer, or StoneTech Stone & Tile Cleaner. For oil stains, we recommend StoneTech Oil Stain Remover, and for mold, StoneTech Mold & Mildew Stain Remover is an excellent product. For deeper stains, you’ll want to get a natural stone stain removal kit, such as the StoneTech Stain Remover Poultice Kit. Always follow the directions on the bottle, and if you’re unsure about which products to use, go with what the manufacturer recommends.
Visit Our Portland Flooring Store
For more detailed information about cleaning, maintaining, or restoring natural stone tile, get in touch with the expert team at Floor Factors or visit our Portland flooring store. We have manufacturer-recommended cleaning products and polishes available in our showroom.
