A Clean Slate: Get Your Natural Stone and Tile Spotless With These 10 Steps Natural stone and tile are lovely, but maintaining them may be difficult. Natural stones and tiles are tough to clean due to the variety of filth and stains they encounter. With the appropriate strategy, you can keep these floors lovely every day. No need to despair when cleaning natural stone and tile floors! We'll show you 10 simple ways to make your floors shine in this article. We cover the fundamentals, such as which cleaners perform best on each stone, as well as more advanced methods like how to remove water stains from slate tiles. Get the Right Cleaning Tools So, you’re ready to give your natural stone and tile the deep clean they need and for that, you’ll need the right tools. To get started, you’ll need a few things: A broom or dust mop A vacuum cleaner A soft-bristled scrub brush or grout brush pH-neutral soap (stone cleaner) A bucket of warm water Microfiber cloths or terry cloth towels (for drying) White vinegar Once you have all of these items, you’re ready to begin the deep cleaning of your stone and tile surfaces. Pre-Clean the Area Before using the cleaner and scrubbing brush, clean the stone or tile. Start by using a vacuum with a hard surface attachment to clean all cracks and crevices around the afflicted region. A moist cloth can remove the trash that won't vacuum up. After that, spot-test your cleaner on an inconspicuous stone area to make sure it won't damage it. After testing your cleaner on the surface, proceed to step three! Remove Any Soap Scum, Rust, and Other Stains Deep-clean your natural stone and tile. Spraying a surface with water and white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, waiting 15 minutes, and scrubbing with a soft-bristled brush removes soap scum, rust, and other stains. Use a commercial natural stone and tile cleaner for harder stains. Certain cleaning products contain chemicals that might damage stone surfaces, so read the label before using them. Test any cleaner first. Don't destroy your pricey tile! (or your wallet). Clean natural stone and tile surfaces safely. Use Your Cleaning Scrub for Deeper Cleaning Needs After prepping your natural stone and tile, deep clean. Use natural stone and tile-specific cleaning scrubs for this part. Chemical-based household cleaners can damage natural stone and tile surfaces. To properly use your cleaning scrub: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Dilute the scrub with clean water following the instructions on the label—it will usually say something like 1 part cleaner to 4 parts water Apply an even layer of the diluted cleanser onto each tile or stone surface Allow the solution to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before scrubbing – this will give it time to work its magic Use a soft cloth or brush with moderate pressure to gently scour each surface in circular motions Repeat rinsing and cleaning until all of your natural stone and tile surfaces are spotless – you may need more than one pass! Once your surfaces are completely clean, use a damp cloth or mop head with clean water to rinse away any soapy residue or cleaner residue left behind Allow all of your surfaces to dry completely before moving on Give Extra Attention to Stubborn Areas You're almost done, but some obstinate spots need more attention. Travertine and other sedimentary stones may require extra effort to clean. Here's what to do: Soft-Bristle Brush Grab yourself a soft-bristle brush, like a toothbrush, and use it to scrub the area with mild detergent and warm water. Rinse with clean water and let the surface air dry. Grit If you're dealing with stubborn grit, like bird droppings or tree sap, sprinkle some baking soda onto the surface first; it will absorb any grease that's stuck on your natural stone or tile. Then use an old cloth to buff away any remaining residue. Remove Stains If stain removal fails, there are other methods. Use a hydrogen peroxide-baking soda poultice (you can add a few drops of dish soap too). Apply the poultice to the stain, seal it with plastic wrap, and let it sit overnight before washing it off in the morning. Consider Using a Professional Grade Cleaner Professional cleaners are the sixth step to cleaning natural stone and tile. These cleaners can thoroughly clean your home by removing dirt and grime from the roughest surfaces. Professional cleaners are designed to be safe for natural stone and tile surfaces. You can use a professional grade cleaner in several ways: 1. 2. 3. Spot cleaning - Use the cleaner to spot-treat areas that need extra attention. Light cleaning - If you don’t need heavy-duty help, use the cleaner as part of your normal routine upkeep. Heavy-duty cleaning - If your surface has tough, caked-on dirt or grime, try a professional-grade cleaner for a deep clean. Professional cleaners may contain unique compounds that leave a protective barrier on the surface after wiping, sealing in cleanliness, and keeping dust and debris away longer. Cleaners can restore natural stone and tile surfaces to like-new condition! Rinse and Dry the Area Rinse natural stone and tile with warm, clean, non-chlorinated water. This removes mild cleanser residue and debris. If left on the surface, chlorine can discolor. Use non-chlorinated water. To avoid early sealer activation, towel dry after rinsing. A moist mop can also be used to ensure the floor is dry. After drying, check the floor for standing water or moisture. Protect the Natural Stone or Tile From Future Damage You must safeguard your natural stone or tile after cleaning it with the correct solutions. After all, cleaning up an avoidable mess is the worst. Protecting natural stone or tile surfaces involves numerous steps: Seal: Sealing natural stone and tile prevents discoloration, scratching, and water damage. Tile sealant repels dirt and water, making spills and stains easy to clean. Choose a sealant appropriate for your surface type. Natural stone sealants won't work on porcelain tiles. Coasters: Everyone knows to use coasters on wooden furniture, but did you know they may also protect natural stone and tile surfaces from scratches? Coasters disperse liquids, preventing them from seeping through onto marble and ceramic tile. Durable materials like cork and felt work well. Safeguarding your natural stone or tile is quicker and faster than washing it, so do it immediately to keep it looking great! Maintain It Regularly Maintaining natural stone and tile is easier than deep cleaning it, as with any cleaning activity. TLC is the best way to maintain stone and tile. Stone and tile should be cleaned regularly, whether it's a kitchen countertop, bathroom floor, or patio. Here are some tips on how to keep your surfaces looking awesome: Dust mop all stone and tile surfaces at least once a week, or even more often if you use the space frequently. If you have pets or small children, mopping the area may be necessary more often than once a week. Always use an approved cleaner on your natural stone and tile surfaces. This will help maintain their protective sealant layer. Remove spots right away with a little water or mild detergent solution if needed. Wipe up spills as soon as they happen the sooner they are wiped up, the less likely they are to stain the surface permanently. Use the correct tools for cleaning – cloths for wiping down, stiff bristle brushes for scrubbing, mops for mopping, vacuums for vacuuming – depending on where you’re cleaning. Know When to Call in a Professional If you're cleaning natural stone and tile that's heavily damaged, stained or has rough places, you may need a professional. They utilize the correct chemicals and methods to clean even the hard-to-reach locations. Visit a tile store if there's no professional nearby. Their experts can suggest goods for your surface and situation. It could save you time and money! Conclusion Maintaining natural stone and tile preserves its beauty. These ten steps are the best approach to cleaning surfaces. Cleaning natural stone and tile regularly keeps them looking their best. You can deep clean your surfaces and keep them looking professional with the correct product and a little elbow grease. Now that you know how easy it is to clean natural stone and tile, use your knowledge. Scrub with your preferred cleaner and gloves!
