Stone Floor Maintenance Tips

Stone has long been the material of choice for anyone wanting floors that look luxurious and have a timeless feel. Whether your stone floors are made out of marble, limestone, granite, slate, or another type of natural stone, the unique colors, textures, patterns, and finishes of the natural stone contribute an elegance that no other type of flooring can. Maintenance is important for floors made out of any material. It’s especially important for stone floors. Natural stone is traditionally more expensive, making it an investment worth protecting. If not maintained properly, stone floors can fade and get worn, effectively losing their appeal. That said, here are 5-floor maintenance tips to know:

Dusting, Sweeping & Vacuuming 

The first and most frequent step in your floor maintenance plan should be dusting and sweeping/vacuuming. In a perfect world, it’s done daily. Dust, dirt, and other debris are exposed to and almost always settle on floors. If you don’t frequently dust and sweep (or vacuum) your stone floors, the dirt and debris can get tramped in and cause damage.

Mopping & Sanitation

The second most frequent part of your floor maintenance should be wet-mopping. The previous step should always be done prior to mopping, but the purpose of wet mopping – other than removing the more stubborn dirt that sweeping or vacuuming can’t – is to sanitize your floors and rid them of bacteria.

Grout Lines

Properly sealed and polished stone floors are very durable and resistant to staining and damage. The more vulnerable parts of stone flooring are in between slabs. These parts include grout lines and tile crevices. Routine cleaning of your floor’s grout lines and tile crevices (if any) is important, because the buildup of dirt and grime may damage grout to the point that fluids, dirt, and debris will seep under your floors and potentially damage your stone and/or foundation. Just make sure to use rubber-tipped scrubbers, so you don’t scratch your stone.

Spot Cleaning

One thing to absolutely keep in mind for stone floor maintenance is that any spills need to be cleaned up immediately. Even if your stone floors have the appropriate sealant, and are polished and grouted, unattended spills can stain and even damage natural stone. Just remember – no matter how tough a spill or stain may be to remove – never use cleaning products that are acidic or contain lemon juice or vinegar, as these may damage your floors.

Preventative Measures

One way to ensure that your stone floors are properly maintained is to be proactive. Preventative and protective measures, such as placing non-slip mats, hallway runners, and/or area rugs by your entrances, exits, and high-traffic areas, will help your stone floors from getting worn down and accumulating excessive dirt, debris, and potential damage.

Between these 5 stone floor maintenance tips, you should be able to keep your stone floors looking beautiful and clean for years. If you have maintenance questions or concerns beyond the above, contact experts like us and get professional help!