Natural Stone Maintenance

Natural stone flooring needs proper maintenance to keep it looking as timeless as it did on the day it was installed. Knowing what is needed to maintain a stone floor will help you decide which floor covering is right for you.

To keep natural stone clean, fight dirty.

Try to keep abrasive materials off your stone floor. Sand, dirt and other gritty substances can scratch the stone's surface.

Mop your floor often with a dry, clean dust mop or broom. Damp mopping will keep your floor clean and shiny.

Keep acids away from your floor. Household items such as vinegar, lemon juice and household cleaners can ruin the finish and damage the look of the stone. Never use acid products on marble, limestone or travertine.

Don't use abrasive cleaners such as powder or soft cleansers.

Don't use ammonia or products containing ammonia. It will dull the stone's luster. Please don't mix bleach and ammonia; as most of you should already know, this combination creates a toxic and potentially lethal gas.

Completely avoid using retail grout cleaners and tub and tile cleaners as well.

Natural stone floors will likely leave some hard to reach areas to clean – reach out for your vacuum cleaner attachments to help you out.

Preventative medicine is the best medicine. Have door mats welcome house guests and family members to keep dirt off your stone floor.

Make sure your mats and rugs have a non-slip surface. Some rubber-backed mats have the potential to stain or discolor your stone.

Keep your mats clean and shake, shake, shake!

Clean up spills right away by blotting them. You can use pure soap and warm water, or a neutral pH detergent to clean up the spills.

Make sure you rinse your floor after cleaning, then make doubly sure you dry it with a soft, clean cloth. Film and streaks can surface with too much cleaner. For larger cleaning jobs, change your rinse water a few times to keep it clean.

If you have stone flooring by an outdoor pool patio or hot tub and have noticed some algae or moss growing, just flush your stone with clear water and a mild bleach solution.

More Tips on Keeping Your Stone Floor Full of Timeless Beauty:

Once your stone floor is installed, it will be your responsibility to maintain the caulking. This is very important if your stone floor is exposed to heavy water use. Not maintaining the grout can lead to floor damage.

Be careful moving heavy furniture and other objects. A stone floor can scratch and chip.

Protect your stone by using floor protectors on table legs and furniture. Keep the wheels on your chairs clean so they don't damage your stone floor.

Every stone is different, and some are more porous than others. That means some stones will be more susceptible to staining than others.

If you haven't had your stone sealed, do so as soon as possible. We can help you select the right product for your stone for the best protection.

Products are also available to recoup your stone's beauty after it has been accidentally damaged or stained. Purchasing material for repair now will ensure that you have stone from your original order on hand in the future.

We have some wonderful products that are designed specifically for stone floors. Give us a call and we can give you more information.

Your natural stone floor is a work of art that needs some love and care to maintain its timeless and classic beauty. By following our simple advice your natural stone floor will be gracing your house for years to come.