Tips For Cleaning And Maintaining Natural Stone

August 07, 2020

Top Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Natural Stone Floors - learn more about how to get the best out of your flooring

Cleaning and maintaining your natural stone floors means you can enjoy them for years to come / Image: https://www.pexels.com/photo/adult-architecture-candlesticks-chairs-238385/

Natural stone floors can help turn a house into a home. Not only do they add visual appeal, but they're also a sturdy and durable material that keeps everyone safe. This is why it's crucial to clean and maintain them properly. If you're not sure where to start, here are some top tips to protect your natural stone floors.

Protect with Sealant

With natural stone being a porous material, regularly applying sealant is essential for its protection. Sealing the exterior will protect it in case it comes into contact with harmful elements, such as bacteria, acid, dust, and the like. However, not all natural stones are created equally, some need to be protected with sealant more often than others. For instance, natural stone floors that are highly porous like Indian sandstone, limestone, and marble require resealing every few months. Meanwhile, natural stones with lesser porosity like granite and quartz can be resealed once a year. For more on sealing exterior natural stone, read this blog that covers the subject.

Natural stone flooring can provide your home with a stylish, contemporary finish, demonstrated here with Jura Grey Limestone

Use Bleach and Water for Mould and Mildew

When dirt and moisture come together on a porous surface, it's very easy for mould and mildew to grow — particularly, on patio flooring, pathways, and even underneath planters. Although most people would usually deal with mould and mildew with vinegar, natural stone floors are best not touched by anything acidic. Fortunately, ‘How to Get Rid of Mould’ by HomeServe points out some other ways to deal with mould using bleach or baking soda. To tackle this problem, you can mix one part bleach and four-parts water. It's important to note, though, that ‘The One Mistake You’re Making With Bleach’ by Good Housekeeping suggests that the bleach must be diluted in cold water for its cleansing powers to take effect. Then simply spray the solution onto the surface, so that you can gently scrub the mould and mildew away with a brush. Lastly, rinse with water, and dry it using a soft towel.

Clean Your Surfaces Consistently

Consistency is key when it comes to cleaning your natural stone flooring to prevent any form of debris from accumulating. To tidy things up, be sure to clean the flooring daily with a dry mop and a pH-balanced cleaner. Although natural stone is a tough material, it actually calls for a mild type of cleaner because an acidic or abrasive one will most likely cause scratches to appear. If you're not sure about a product's pH levels, Hunker recommends creating a homemade floor cleaner. You can achieve this by mixing 90% baking soda, 8% water, and 2% Castile soap. Once they're properly cleaned, you'll need to ensure that the floors are patted dry with a soft towel to avoid spotting.

Block Out Dirt and Water

Last but not least, a doormat can do a world of good for your natural stone flooring. While it might be small, it actually helps collect and therefore reduce the amount of dirt particles and liquid that would touch the surface. But of course, it's important to pick out a proper doormat for the outside stone flooring. As explained by The Telegraph, outdoor mats must be made from durable materials like rubber and brush. Similarly, you can place an area rug on your patio to keep your floor clean. And don't forget to clean the doormat as well by vacuuming all the dirt away every week. For more tips and tricks from the experts, do have a look through our different posts here on London Stone.

Article specially written for londonstone.co.uk By Alyson Gran