Cleaning A Natural Stone Floor

To clean stone tile floors remove any oil based stains by dabbing them with a cotton ball soaked in acetone and then rinsing the area with water.

Cleaning a natural stone floor.

Apply an even coat over every inch of the stone working it back and forth into the stone until it is fully absorbed into the stone. When cleaning and sealing real stone floors use a detergent formulated for calciferous stone travertine marble or limestone as general floor cleaner may contain acid that can etch the surface. When you have loosened the dirt with hot water the wet vac just sucks all the dirt out of the stone. If you need a stronger cleaner for stubborn or ingrained dirt then chose the right cleaning product for the stone.

I also use them to great effect on riven slate floors and other areas with a textured finish. Natural stone will require some maintenance to keep it looking its best. Allow the floors to air dry. For water based stains rub the floors with hydrogen peroxide and ammonia using a soft cloth or sponge.

For other helpful cleaning tips. Here are a few places where you can find out about stone cleaning. As a general rule of thumb only use neutral ph cleaners on stone floors. Anything more acidic can damage the surface of your natural stone floor.

Natural stone will absorb the seal quicker in some areas than it does in others even on the same tile one half may absorb all the seal and next to it the seal will sit on the surface. Dilute detergent with water in a ratio of 1 5 and apply generously with a sponge. Thoroughly rinse floors with clean water to insure a film is not left on the stone s surface and dry with a soft cloth. Anything more alkaline might not get the floor clean.

Dip the microfiber towel into the water mixture ring thoroughly attach to the mop handle and begin cleaning or use the wet mop. Use a long handled squeegee for larger areas. It is one of the best methods for cleaning porous natural stone floors like unfilled and honed travertine and other types of honed limestone and marble. One major rule of thumb for a stone floor cleaner is to avoid anything acidic.

To protect your natural stone floors dust them daily with a clean untreated dry dust mop to keep them free of abrasive sand dirt grit or debris. Also make sure to rinse the floor with clean water after using a strong cleaner. The ideal cleanser is a ph neutral product meaning that it s around a 7 on the alkaline acidity scale. Wet mop the solution onto your stone flooring for routine cleaning.