BEST SUGGESTIONS AND PRACTICES
The most important thing to remember when stone floor cleaning is to stop using cleaners that are too alkaline or acidic. Both will strip the floor's finish or shine. When working with natural stone, do use a neutral cleaner. A pH of 7 is considered neutral. Anything less than a pH of 7 is acidic, eating away at the sealant and cause etching. A pH level above 7 is alkaline, perfect for removing grease and dirt but can leave a toxic residue if not properly rinsed and neutralized.
Second, mainly if you work with marble, you should take simple steps to maintain your floors daily. This will make cleaning your stone floor much more effective and efficient, as well as prevent scratches.
Marble flooring is one of the most delicate stones and is easily destroyed. As a result, clean the high traffic areas regularly and use mats to keep dirt on the pad rather than the floor. Dirt behaves like sandpaper under shoes.
Do you want a mop to clean your stone floors?
Both forms of flooring can be cleaned using one of two methods. The first method is to use a floor cleaner spray bottle and a dry microfiber mop. Spray the cleaner gently on your floor and wait a minute for the solution to absorb the dirt. Then keep mopping. This approach reduces the amount of dirty liquid that can enter stone floor joints or holes.
The second approach is to fill a bucket of floor cleaner and dip your microfiber mop into it, wring it out thoroughly, and mop. Since the extra water easily eliminates any stuck-on food, this method is suitable for kitchens. When using this method, work in small areas and clean your mop pad frequently.
You must also take care not to leave too much water behind. To do so, make sure your microfiber mop pad is thoroughly wrung out. When you mop, look for dirt on the pad. Replace the pad if it becomes dirty; never allow it to become too dirty.
It would be best if you always held clean mop pads in a bucket of solution. Since it is aggressive without being abrasive, the microfibre scrub mop pad is ideal for stone floors! Before removing carpets, allow the floor to dry completely to avoid the formation of mould.
Stone Floor Cleaning – TILE LINES AND CREVICES
Unless sanded, most stone floors will have indentations and crevices where dirt will accumulate. If these are not handled regularly, no amount of mopping can eradicate them. This is particularly true when cleaning stone tile floors because dirt can get trapped in the grout lines.
In this scenario, you'll need a scrubber with a brush that can get into the crevices and remove the embedded dirt. Since it is made of rubber, the “Lil Chizzler” would not scratch the flooring. If the stains and debris are too severe, contacting a tile and grout cleaning specialist is the easiest way to clean natural stone tiles.
SAFEGUARD NATURAL STONE FLOORS
Sealing is a critical step in ensuring that your natural stone floor lasts a lifetime. Floors made of natural stone are porous. This means they have holes in them, making them prone to spills, cooking oil, dirt, and grime. These substances enter natural stone that has not been correctly sealed, creating stains and making cleaning and maintenance difficult.
Sealers impregnate the stone; that is, they seal the holes so that liquids and oils do not reach the stone surface but stay on the stone to make cleaning easier. Acidic cleaners degrade the seal over time, allowing your floors to become porous again.
An alkaline detergent mixed with mopping water is the most widely used floor cleaner. The soapy water collects some of the debris and cleans the tile in the short term. If the filthy soapy water is not fully extracted, it may become stuck in the grout lines or holes in the porous stone. The dirt and soap are left behind as the water evaporates.
Since soap is on the alkaline side of the pH scale, it dries with a slightly sticky residue. As a result, even more, soil adheres to the earth. These deposits, which can harbour bacteria, contribute to dirty grout and stones over time. Aside from being unsightly, bacteria build-up may also produce odours.
As a result, the best natural stone floor cleaner has a neutral PH. When shopping for floor cleaning items, look for the words “neutral,” “residue-free,” and “pH 7” on the product labels. You won't leave behind acidic or alkaline traces that could ruin your floors if you use a residue-free neutral cleaner. Dishwashing detergent is a low-cost cleaner with a neutral PH (check the label).
Questions and Answers about Cleaning Natural Stone Surfaces
What is the most effective natural stone cleaner?
The best natural stone cleaner, in our opinion, is a Kleanstone floor cleaning unit. When it comes to cleaning stone surfaces, our machines provide unrivalled efficiency, and when paired with our purpose-built cleaning tools, they provide stone floor care and maintenance that you won't find anywhere else.
How will hard water stains be removed from natural stone?
Since stone is naturally porous, water seeps into the surface's tiny holes over time. This water accumulates over time, forming a hard water stain. Although regular cleaning will prevent most of these stains, not everyone has the time to clean their stone every day!
If you use a special cleaner, removing hard water stains from natural stone surfaces is easy. Scrub the infected region in just a few minutes with a scratch-resistant pad or a soft cloth and a little elbow grease. If the stain is on the floor, you can clear it with one of our stone floor cleaning machines in a single pass.
What is the best way to remove stains from natural stone surfaces?
A wide variety of stains can attack natural stone. To remove them, you must first identify the type of stain.
Oil-based stains: Grease, tar, milk, cooking oil – This stain appears as a dark discoloration on the stone's surface. In most cases, you would need to dissolve the source of the stain to extract it chemically. Clean with a soft liquid cleaner containing a few drops of ammonia or bleach.
Organic stains: coffee, tea, paper, food, tobacco – This stain appears pinkish-brown. Clean it with a solvent containing 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia.
Metal-based stains: rust, copper, bronze, iron – This stain typically appears as a brown colour, although this varies greatly depending on the type of metal involved. A poultice must be used to cure metal stains. A poultice is a paste made by combining a liquid cleaner or a chemical with an absorbent substrate. This paste is then added to the stain and allowed to dry for 24 hours.
Is CLR safe to use on natural stone?
CLR is an abbreviation for Calcium Lime & Rust Remover. This cleaner is excellent for removing stains from the toilet or sink, but it should not be used to clean natural stone, such as granite, limestone, marble, travertine, or any other form of stone.
Is it possible to steam clean natural stone tiles?
Steam cleaning natural stone tiles are not recommended. The hot steam has the power to melt the stone sealant, which is why it is used. If the bond is removed, there is a greater risk of mould and mildew growing on the stone floor, and it is impossible to avoid stains if there is no sealant.
Another reason not to steam clean your limestone, granite, marble, travertine, or other stone floor is that repetitive steam cleaning will cause the floor to spall. When water penetrates the stone, it causes the surface to peel, pop out, or flake off entirely. Spalling is referred to as flaking in limestone.
Can vinegar be used to clean natural stone?
It is essential not to use vinegar, lemon juice, or other acidic cleaners on granite, limestone, travertine, or slate.
Stone Floor Cleaning: Why a stone survey is recommended.
Stone floors have always been trendy. Their popularity has not waned over the decades, and they remain one of the most sought-after flooring alternatives in residential and commercial properties. As with other flooring alternatives, over time, both tiles and grout lines will inevitably become clogged with dirt.
Essentially, dirt and grime are introduced from the outside. Even the cleanest home will notice a deterioration in the appearance of their stone floor. Dirt generated inside the house also contributes to the problem. Even routine cleaning can contribute to this problem.
Here's why. When cleaning, dirt is pushed from the surface of the tiles into the grout lines. The stone sealers that are applied during installation also deteriorate. This means that the ability of the tiles to protect against dirt build-up is also reduced. These factors combined mean that, over time, the tiles look dull and dirty.
This is the time when you want to enlist the help and assistance of a professional stone cleaning and restoration specialist. It is recommended that an inspection or assessment be conducted at this time. The following information has been compiled to demonstrate why a stone inspection is needed and how it will ensure the smooth operation of the entire project.
It is important to note that stone floor cleaning services usually offer a preliminary inspection as standard. It is imperative, for many reasons, to take stock and clean an area of the client's choice, if possible.
It is suitable for the client to know who they are dealing with. It also allows the contractor to see the customer's requirements and manage expectations regarding what to expect. The information gained from a cleaning demonstration of a small area gives a good idea of what the finished floor will look like. A cleaning demonstration is essential to the whole process, and here is why.
1. Define the type of surface material by checking whether it is an artificial material or natural stone. This will inform which processes can be used and which products are best for restoration.
2. The demonstration process will identify any unforeseen problems or difficulties. These may not be so obvious during the pre-assessment visit. Time will allow the chosen professionals to familiarise themselves, which is incredibly important in identifying or anticipating problems and difficulties.
3. The process will probably indicate the duration of the work. Some clients want to know how long the process will take and need this information to take time off work. Some problems may not be identified until the actual process is tested. This means that a company can provide accurate information, not just expected results.
4. If diamond grinding is necessary, the measurement process will help the customer decide whether he prefers a ground or polished finish. As he sees the results, he can make an informed decision.
5. The inspection process allows the person to decide which equipment, sealants, waterproofing, and cleaning products to use. With such a wide variety of products available, these are important information to ensure the best results. Being on-site also allows the necessary protective measures to be planned before work begins.
Finally, the surveying process allows for a more objective approach to job pricing. Essentially, all elements can be considered before a quotation is prepared. Employees have the advantage of being informed, which allows them to ensure that the work is not overly expensive.
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