Natural stone floors are the essence of elegance and durability. They bring the natural beauty right into your home. Whether it’s marble, travertine, or granite, these surfaces are the timeless additions to any space.
But to keep them looking flawless, you need to know how to care for your natural stone floor properly. Don’t worry. Maintaining them is easier than you think with proper cleaning and timely repairing.
In this guide by floor restoration experts, we’ll explore the dos & don’ts and some essential tips for natural stone floor care, from regular maintenance to professional restoration.
Let’s begin.
First, Understand Your Flooring | Types of Natural Stone Floors
Before exploring how to care for your natural stone floors, it’s important to understand what type of stone you have. Each stone variety has its own unique characteristics, meaning they require different care to keep them looking their best.
Here’s a quick guide to help you identify the most common types of natural stone flooring and how to care for them:
| Type of Stone | Characteristics | Floor Care Tips |
| Marble Flooring |
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Clean carefully with non-acidic cleaners to prevent damage. Avoid abrasive scrubbers. |
| Granite Flooring |
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Regularly clean with a mild detergent and water. Use a sealant for extra protection. |
| Limestone Flooring |
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Wipe spills immediately, and seal regularly to protect against stains. |
| Travertine Flooring |
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Clean with pH-neutral cleaners, and always reseal to maintain its appearance. |
By identifying the type of natural stone flooring you have, you can tailor your natural stone floor care to its specific needs, helping it maintain its beauty and durability for years to come.
Dos and Don’ts of Maintaining Natural Stone Floors Beautifully
Properly maintaining your natural stone floors not only preserves their beauty but also ensures they last for years. To keep your floors looking flawless, it’s important to know both what to do and what to avoid. Here’s a helpful guide with dos and don’ts to make sure your natural stone floors remain in top shape:
Do’s | Recommended Best Practices for Cleaning and Maintaining Your Stone Floor
When it comes to caring for your natural stone floor, it’s not just about what you clean, but how you clean it. These simple yet essential steps can make a big difference:
✔ Use cleaning products specifically made for natural stone care
Acidic or abrasive cleaners can cause scratches and dullness. Stick with products like mild detergents or stone soap that are gentle yet effective for stone, avoiding damage to the surface.
✔ Seal your stone floor regularly
Since most natural stones are porous, they can absorb liquids which can cause stains. A high-quality sealer provides a protective layer, making maintenance easier and enhancing stain resistance.
✔ Blot up spill quickly
Blot the area with a soft towel immediately to prevent the liquid from soaking into the stone and causing a permanent stain.
✔ Dust mop your floors frequently
This keeps dust and debris from building up. This is an easy step that can significantly prolong the life of your stone flooring.
✔ Clean your stone floor regularly
Regular cleaning prevents dirt and dust from accumulating. Sweep or vacuum your floor frequently to avoid abrasive particles from damaging the surface. Follow up with a damp cloth to maintain cleanliness.
✔ Rinse and dry the floors thoroughly after cleaning
Standing water can seep into the stone, so make sure your floors are completely dry after washing.
✔ Protect your stone floors with non-slip mats or rugs
For countertops, use coasters, trivets, or place mats to protect the surface in high-traffic areas to prevent scratches and wear caused by hot objects and spills.
Don’ts | Common Mistakes to Avoid When Maintaining Natural Stone Floors
Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make a few missteps when caring for your natural stone flooring. To avoid damaging your floors and maintain their longevity, be mindful of these don’ts:
✘ Don’t use acidic cleaners
Bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners, or tub & tile cleaners contain acid. These can harm the natural finish of your travertine flooring or granite flooring and lead to long-term deterioration. These can etch and damage the stone, leaving permanent marks. Always use pH-neutral cleaners formulated specifically for stone.
✘ Don’t ignore spills or accidents
Liquids like wine, juice, or coffee can leave stubborn stains if left to sit. Clean them up immediately to prevent lasting damage.
✘ Don’t scrub with abrasive pads or brushes
Harsh scrubbing can scratch and dull the surface of your stone floor. Always use a soft towel or mop to avoid damaging the stone’s finish.
✘ Don’t skip sealing your stone floors
Sealing is a crucial step in protecting your stone from stains, scratches, and everyday wear. Make it a part of your routine maintenance to ensure your floors stay beautiful for years.
✘ Don’t soak your floors with excessive water.
While cleaning with a damp mop is fine, soaking the floor can cause water to seep into the stone, potentially leading to damage. Always use a damp mop, not a wet one.
✘ Don’t mix bleach and ammonia
This creates a toxic, harmful gas that can be dangerous to your health. Always clean with safe, non-toxic products designed for stone floors.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll help protect the beauty and integrity of your natural stone floors, whether it’s marble, granite, limestone, or travertine.
Tips to Maintain Your Natural Stone Floors for the Long Term
Here are some additional tips to help you maintain the longevity and appearance of your natural stone floors:
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Get to Know the Type of Stone
As mentioned above, understanding the type of natural stone you have is key to maintaining it. Whether it’s limestone, granite, marble, or quartzite, each type of stone has different needs and levels of durability. Knowing the stone’s texture, finish, and expected wear can help you create an appropriate care plan.
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Regular Maintenance is Key
Consistent cleaning and sealing, along with occasional deep cleanings, are important to ensure your floors stay in great condition. Don’t forget that ongoing care is just as important as more thorough cleanings from time to time.
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Handle Furniture Carefully
When moving furniture, always lift it rather than dragging or pushing it across the floor. Pushing heavy furniture can lead to scratches and wear on your stone floors. Using furniture pads or sliders will help protect the surface and reduce the risk of damage.
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Protect with Sealant
Stone surfaces are naturally porous, making them susceptible to stains and damage from dirt and moisture. Regularly apply a high-quality sealant to protect your floors as it helps prevent dirt, grit, and moisture from penetrating the stone. Different stones have varying sealing needs, so it’s important to follow manufacturer recommendations.
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Use Mats and Rugs
Place doormats at entryways to reduce the amount of dirt, debris, and moisture that comes in contact with your floors. Area rugs in high-traffic areas also help protect your stone floors from scratches and stains.
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Take Care of Dirt and Water
Dirt and water can easily damage natural stone if left unchecked. Use doormats to catch dirt and moisture before it reaches your floors. Clean them weekly to ensure they remain effective. If you have a pool or outdoor area where your stone floors might come into contact with water, consider using extra protection like area rugs to keep your floors safe.
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Seek Professional Help
When in doubt or for more complex flooring repairs, don’t hesitate to consult with professional cleaning or restoration services. They have the experience and expertise to handle any challenges and restore your floors to their original beauty.
Call the Professionals | Expert Floor Restoration Perth – Infinity Flooring
With over 15 years’ experience in restoring natural stone flooring and other surfaces, the team here at Infinity Flooring can hone and polish your tired looking natural stone floor and benchtops into an oasis of shine and delight.
For natural stone floor care and maintenance, we offer:
- Travertine Restoration and Travertine Polishing
- Marble Restoration with expert techniques to polish marble.
- Stone Floor Restorations Perth services tailored to your flooring type, ensuring lasting results.
Is your floor looking dull or damaged?
Let Infinity Flooring Bring Back the Beauty of Your Natural Stone Floors
At Infinity Flooring, we specialise in natural stone floor care, from cleaning and sealing to full-scale stone floor restorations Perth. Whether you need travertine restoration, marble restoration, or expert polishing, we have the experience to bring out the best in your floors.
Contact us today for expert stone cleaning Perth, restoration, and polishing services. We’ll help you transform your floors into stunning centerpieces for your space.
FAQs About Natural Stone Flooring Care & Maintenance
- How do you maintain natural stone floors?
To maintain natural stone floors, regularly sweep or vacuum to remove dust and dirt. Use pH-neutral cleaners designed for stone and seal the floor to prevent stains and damage.
- How do you clean natural stone flooring?
Clean natural stone floors by sweeping regularly to remove debris. Mop gently with a pH-neutral cleaner made for stone surfaces and seal your floor to protect it from spills and stains. Avoid using acidic cleaners like vinegar or lemon juice.
- How do you keep natural stone shiny?
To keep natural stone floors shiny, clean them regularly with the right cleaners and polish with a soft cloth. Sealing the stone protects it from stains and scratches. For a long-lasting shine, consider professional polishing services.
- What is the best cleaner for natural stone floors?
Be sure to use the right cleaner and always seal your stone to maintain its beauty and durability. Here are some of the best cleaners for natural stone floors:
- pH-neutral cleaner: Safe for daily cleaning and gentle on stone surfaces (e.g., Deepshield pH Neutral Cleaner).
- Alkaline solution: Effective for removing grime (e.g., Floorseal Stone Floor Cleaner).
- Lithofin MN Power-Clean: Ideal for polished limestone and marble.
Laticrete StoneTech Professional Cleaners: Designed to protect against stains.
