Although stone floors are strong and durable they are also porous and can be vulnerable to staining if not treated properly. Follow the tips below to help keep your flooring looking its best.
Regular maintenance
Prevention is better than cure- sweep or vacuum regularly to avoid a build-up of grit and other abrasive particles as if left these can cause damage as they are tread into stone floors. While stone is generally a hardwearing and durable flooring material, it still pays to protect it so implement a ‘no shoes’ policy and make sure that any spillages are mopped up quickly to avoid the risk of staining.
Check your material
When you are going to shop for cleaning products, be it from Thecleaningcollective.co.uk or from a local supermarket, it pays to do some research, particularly when you have stone flooring at home. This is because different types of stones tend to have different levels of sensitivity. According to the type of flooring you have in your home, choose a cleaning agent with appropriate ingredients. In this regard, make sure to read the label carefully before putting the product in your shopping cart. As a bonus tip, remember that cleaning agents containing acidic substances such as vinegar or lemon juice should be avoided for all types of stone flooring. In fact, more porous calciferous stone such as travertine, marble, and limestone are particularly susceptible to damage from acids, whereas slate is a little harder.
Avoid scrubbing
Don’t use harsh materials such as scrubbing pads, steel wool, or other abrasive cleansers as these can scratch a stone floor. Instead use microfiber cloths or mops to wipe away dirt, along with a mixture of warm water and a pH neutral cleaner that is suitable for use on stone flooring- if in doubt, test your cleansing product on a small patch of floor overnight before using it.
Reseal regularly
Stone floors need to be sealed every year or so. To check whether it’s time to reseal your floor, pour a few drops of water onto dry tiles and see if it soaks in or sits on the surface. If after a few minutes the water has been absorbed then your floor needs resealing.
