How to Clean Stone Floor Tiles
The key to maintaining the natural beauty of a stone floor is to clean it regularly, but as with any kind of floor, there is a right and a wrong way to clean stone floor tiles. Stone flooring is naturally durable, but that doesn’t mean it is impervious to damage. Using the wrong type of cleaner or wrong type of brush can deteriorate, scratch, or dull the finish, for example. Let’s talk about the best way to clean and maintain stone floors to keep them looking their best.
Use Only pH-Neutral Cleansers, Soft Bristle Brooms, and/or Soft Cloths
Avoid using cleaners containing vinegar, lemon juice, or any other acidic substances, as well as ammonia-based solutions. Acidic or basic solutions like these can react with the stone and cause deterioration or dulling. Likewise, avoid using cleansers with abrasives as these can leave unwanted scratches on the stone. A mild, pH-neutral solution designated as safe for stone floors is always your best option.
Remove Loose Dirt with a Soft Push Broom or Brushless Vacuum
Before applying cleaners, use a soft broom or a vaccuum with the beater turned off to remove loose dirt and grime so it doesn’t grind into the surface while you’re cleaning. Again, avoid stiff bristles of any kind to prevent scratch marks on the stone.
Wet-Mop the Floor Using Your Mild Cleanser and Soft Mop
Microfiber mops are typically best suited for cleaning stone floors. Dilute your cleaning solution with water according to the recommended proportions for your floors. Using a bucket, fill the mop head with your chosen cleaner, wring it out well, and dampen the floor. Addressing small sections at a time, mop the stone clean in an orderly pattern that starts from the farthest wall or corner of the room and works back towards the doorway. Allow the floor to air dry completely before walking on it as it may be slippery.
Tips for Safe Stain Removal
Most stone floors should be resistant to most types of stains, but if you do find yourself with a stained or dirty floor that doesn’t respond to cleaning as usual, try the following:
- Use a poultice stain remover specifically designed for natural stones.
- Blot up excess liquid/dirt with a clean cloth.
- Cover the stain with poultice and let it sit for 24 hours.
- Gently scrape off the residue after the allotted amount of time has passed.
- Use a mild stone cleaner to remove any remaining color or dirt that’s been trapped under the poultice.
- Rinse well, then dry completely.
If a stain is particularly stubborn, resist the temptation to use “stronger” stain removers as they may contain substances that could damage the finish. If a standard poultice doesn’t work, call the professionals.
Tips for Cleaning Grout
Cleaning darkened or stained grout between the stone tiles can be a bit tricky as different problems may call for different solutions–plus, you want to be careful not to damage the stone finish in the process. As a simple solution, try using baking soda and water with a small, soft-bristle brush to scrub the grout, then wipe it off with a wet sponge. If this doesn’t do the trick, you might want to leave it to the professionals.
For deep cleaning, grout cleaning, maintenance and restoration of your stone tile floors, our team of experts knows how to make your floors look new again. Give us a call for an estimate.
Call us direct at (212) 203-5633 or at the office at (973) 575-0835 ext 300.