Stone floors make indoor and outdoor of houses look elegant and fancy. They give homes and offices a modern look. Usually, stone floors come in a variety of materials from sandstone, travertine, marble, granite, and quarry tiles are some of them. Their smooth surface reflects light perfectly making the house or office shine with brilliance.
Keeping the stone floors shine is a challenging task. Each stone requires a different approach to cleaning as they vary in material and have different physical properties. So before making them shine, make sure to follow through this guide on how to make stone floor shine.
Cleaning Limestone Floors
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Limestone floors need frequent cleaning compared to other types. The limestone floor can be easily stained, and it must be cleaned with a neutral cleaner rather than harsh chemicals, because of its porous and delicate nature it can be damaged and scratched easily. It is recommended to seal and polish stone floor after installing it.
Remove Visible Dirt:
The first step is to remove dirt and debris using a microfiber cloth. Remove any big dirt and debris that can be spotted. A vacuum can be used, but due to the delicacy of the limestone floor, it can be easily scratched if proper precaution is not taken. Using soft bristles on a vacuum and light pressure can clean the limestone floor easily.
Mopping:
For general mopping of the limestone floor, dilute the detergent in water. There are special formulas for limestone floors (calciferous stone washers) that can clean out the floor without causing damage to its surface. Only use detergent in spots where grime is building up.
There must be absolutely no pools of water or detergent remaining on its surface. Make sure to clean the area and completely dry it as much as possible. Leaving detergent on the limestone floor will cause damage to its surface.
Sandstone Floor
The sandstone floor is another natural stone that is used to embellish the interior and exterior of houses. It also has a very porous nature and can easily absorb liquids that make it stain quickly if precaution is not taken.
The thing with sandstones is not to use them in high traffic areas as they can age quicker than other stone floors. Cleaning them frequently will also make them age quicker and wear out, so only use them in areas where there is lesser traffic and lesser chance of spillage and dirt.
To clean a sandstone, sweep all loose dirt and visible debris of the surface using a brush or vacuum. Then use a clean and soft cloth/rag to wipe down the sandstone floor. Dampen the rag and wipe it all over the floor. Make sure it’s not dripping wet, just damp!
If the water is seeming to be absorbed in the tiles, then the tiles haven’t been sealed and are prone to be stained. Such tiles must be used with extreme care. Try not to use general household cleaning products on the sandstone floor, especially if they are acid-based products containing vinegar or citrus. The acidic cleaner will change and ruin the texture of the sandstone floor completely.
Dishwasher Soap:
Dishwasher soap can be used in most cases as it can be diluted with water. Make sure there is no standing water on the surface of the floor as it will get gradually absorbed and make the surface prone to scratches.
Dab & Baking Soda:
Whenever a spill is noticed on the floor, quickly find a clean rag and dab it. Dabbing is the key as wiping will spread the stain and further increase its absorption causing irremovable stains. Avoid using abrasive cleaning options and household chemicals. Instead, use baking soda paste made with water and apply it to the stain. It can work wonders!
Sealing:
All-natural stone options are porous and will have similar tips to clean them. They will get easily stained depending upon their absorbing capability. It is highly likely to damage or stain them. Therefore, it is recommended to hire a stone polishing company to clean your floors once in 3 months. They have the knowledge and experience related to the floors that are needed to be cleaned. They will have sealing agents to seal the surface of the floors to prevent absorbing.
Resealing requires to be done once every three to five years, so it is a relatively better option rather than having the floors stained and damaged that will increase their aging process quicker!
