To ensure your natural stone floor will provide you with a lifetime of beauty and utility, a proper maintenance program is crucial. Natural stone products are porous by nature and require a different maintenance program than traditional ceramic tile. Below, we’ve outlined the best methods for keeping your natural stone floor clean.

Maintenance Basics:

• Always dampen natural stone before cleaning.
  
  
• Use only manufacturer's suggested cleansers or water. Many typical kitchen and bath cleaners are not good for your stone.
  
  
• Consider sealing your natural stone for easier maintenance and care.
  
  

For detailed information on maintaining your natural stone, review the Maintenance & Upkeep segment.

Routine Maintenance

Many of the cleaners acceptable for use on ceramic tile can stain, damage or dull stone. Only use cleaners specifically designed for cleaning stone. These cleaners contain no acids and are concentrated neutral pH cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or wax-type coatings.

• For routine maintenance the surface of the stone should be dampened with clear water. This will keep the cleaning solution on the surface so it can be effective.
  
  
• Step One: Apply a solution of the cleaner and water to the stone surface with a sponge or mop. (On walls, kitchen counters or vanity tops, a spray bottle can be used to apply the cleaning solution.)
  
  
• Step Two: Allow the formula to sit for a period of time recommended by the manufacturer (usually 3 to 5 minutes).
  
  
• Step Three: Agitate with a sponge, synthetic mop, soft bristle brush or through the use of a floor-scrubbing machine.
  
  
• Step Four: Mop up dirty solution and then buff dry.
  
  

• For heavy duty cleaning you will need to use a heavy-duty stone cleaner and degreaser to effectively remove dirt, grease, grime, waxes, and floor finishes. These cleaning products are concentrated and designed to deep clean the stone without damaging it. Using the heavy duty stone cleaner, follow the same steps as above, remembering to change the cleaning mixture ever 100 square feet to avoid reintroducing dirty water during the cleaning process. Rinse thoroughly with clean water when finished. As with routine cleaning, after cleaning you may apply a spray buff wax-type floor finish to enhance the shine.
  
  
• Stone poultice will remove stains and grout haze from stone. Poultice is a fine, non-acidic, absorptive clay cleaning powder that removes deep-set oil stains, grease and light cementitious grout haze from polished and unpolished natural stone. However, Poultice may dull the shine of the polished stone. If this occurs, you will need to use a stone polish to restore the natural shine.
  
  

Preventative Maintenance

• Dirt and dust will scratch the surface of stone. Therefore, stone floors should be vacuumed or dust mopped frequently to remove abrasive agents from the stone surface.
  
  
• Natural stone should be cleaned with neutral cleaners and never those that contain acid or bleach. Acids, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will etch and eventually damage natural stone.
  
  
• Depending on your lifestyle, sealing your stone may be something to consider. Sealing stone will protect your investment by keeping moisture and dirt from penetrating the surface as easily as it will untreated stone.