How to Clean Natural Stone Tiles
If you, like me, have a stone-tiled floor and wonder how you can spruce it up, this article gives tips that’ll help you do just that.
Today, many people use natural stones on their floors because they are durable, easy to clean and maintain, and have a natural, versatile look that enhances the interior design of a house. Popular stone flooring choices are granite, slate, marble, and limestone. Because these stones have minerals that can react with the ingredients in typical cleaning solutions, it is advisable to carefully select the type of cleaners you use on your floor. Natural stone can be easily stained when liquids like fruit juice or oil spill on it. To prevent the floor from staining, clean spills as soon as they happen to prevent absorption into the porous top layer of the stone. You can also coat your stone floor with a good sealer to protect it from staining spills and other contaminants like fungus and molds.
Here are some tips on how to care for natural stone floors:
- Use appropriate cleaning products.
Use gentle cleaners that will not harm the floor surface. Avoid products containing acids, abrasives, or bleach. Instead use neutral detergents that will not scratch the stone surface, affecting the stone coloring or the seal.
- Clean spills immediately.
Use blotting paper or a dry cloth to soak up spills before flushing with lots of clean water. You can then dry the affected area with a cloth. Don’t wipe or rub spills as they may instead penetrate the stone and spread on the floor.
- Seal the stone regularly.
Seal the stone flooring to prevent its porous surface from absorbing liquids or bacteria common in and about the home environment. A sealer creates a layer on the floor, protecting it against harmful substances like spills or stains, general wear and tear, and UV rays. Seek the services of a stone sealing professional if you don’t know the first thing about repairing or sealing stones. You may eventually learn how to do it yourself with time and patience.
- Use the following steps to clean the floor regularly, removing accumulated dirt:
Sweep the floor surface using a broom with soft bristles.
Dilute ¼ cup of neutral detergent with a gallon of warm water to prepare the mopping solution.
Mop the floor with the prepared solution.
Wipe the floor using clean water to remove any remaining solution.
Dry the floor.
Taking care of stone floors doesn’t have to be complicated. By following a few simple habits, like gentle and regular cleaning, you can keep your stone looking superb for a long time. Nothing beats staying in a house with clean, well-maintained natural flooring.